Social

Estate and Planned Giving

Estate and Planned Giving: The St. Bernard Clairvaux Society

Estate and Planned Giving is a means by which an individual makes a commitment to provide a contribution to Saint Bernard through various estate planning options.  The principal benefits to St. Bernard are not normally received during the individual's lifetime.  For example, a person might choose to include St. Bernard as a beneficiary in a will, a trust, or a life insurance policy.  Planned gifts are not just reserved for the wealthy. The donor receives benefits-tax advantages and/or income depending on the type of gift-that may be tailored to his or her particular needs.

Type of Planned Gift Possible Benefits to the Donor Benefits to Saint Bernard
IRA/Retirement Account
  • Gain income tax savings
  • Reduce estate tax
  • Avoid income tax on assets
A secured donation for future needs
Gift Annuities
  • Upfront tax deduction
  • Income stream for life
  • Avoid Capital Gains Tax
A secured donation for future needs
Charitable Trusts
  • Upfront tax deduction
  • Income stream for term of years
  • More control over gift
  • Ability to increase trust amount
A secured donation for future needs
Bequests
  • Does not impact current income
  • Can reduce estate tax for heirs
Provides future cash gift
Life Insurance or Pay-on-Death Accounts
  • Does not impact current income
  • Can reduce estate tax for heirs
Provides future cash gift

To honor those of our Friends, Alumni, and Benefactors, who have chosen to make St. Bernard a part of their Planned Giving, we have established the Clairvaux Society.

The Saint Bernard Abbey Clairvaux Society is named in honor of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, patron of our Abbey.  St. Bernard (1090-1153) was a French Abbot who founded a monastery in the community of Clairvaux in 1115.  This early monastery is part of monastic history that is the foundation for our present-day St. Bernard Abbey . . . the Clairvaux Society will serve as the foundation for the continued legacy of our beloved St. Bernard Abbey and Preparatory School.

The group of alumni, friends, and benefactors who have chosen to support the work of the Abbey and the Prep School through bequests, trusts, or other deferred gifts are all members of the Clairvaux Society, and proudly wear our specially-designed ornamental pin, the Clairvaux Society Crest . . . a replica of the Saint Bernard Abbey Coat of Arms.

Click on the Clairvaux Society Crest to get more specific information on how you can be a member of this elite group of loyal St. Bernard supporters.