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Planned Giving

Three Miriam students sitting together in the gym.

Leave a Legacy That Lasts for Generations

The impact of a planned gift extends far beyond today.

By including Miriam School and Learning Center in your estate plans, you help ensure that future generations of students with learning differences will continue to receive the specialized education, therapeutic support, and opportunities they need to thrive.

A planned gift is one of the most meaningful ways to invest in Miriam's future. Whether your commitment is large or small, your generosity becomes a lasting legacy that will transform lives for years to come.

Why Planned Giving?

For more than 100 years, Miriam has empowered students with learning differences by unlocking their potential and preparing them for lifelong success.

A planned gift helps ensure that mission continues for future generations by providing long-term financial stability and supporting programs that adapt to the changing needs of students and families.

Many planned gifts also offer financial and tax benefits for you and your loved ones while allowing you to support a cause you care deeply about.

6 Ways to Make a Planned Gift

There are many ways to leave a lasting legacy. Some of the most common include:

  1. Include Miriam in Your Will or Trust
    • One of the simplest ways to make a lasting impact is by naming Miriam School and Learning Center as a beneficiary in your will or living trust.
       
  2. Beneficiary Designations
    • You may designate Miriam as a beneficiary of:
      • Retirement accounts (IRA, 401(k), 403(b))
      • Life insurance policies
      • Bank or investment accounts
      • Donor-advised funds (where permitted)
         
  3. Charitable Trusts
    • Certain charitable trusts can provide income to you or your loved ones while also supporting Miriam in the future.
       
  4. Gifts of Appreciated Assets
    • Stocks, securities, or other appreciated assets may provide tax advantages while supporting Miriam's mission.
       
  5. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
    • Individuals age 70½ or older may be able to make tax-efficient gifts directly from their IRA. Please consult your financial or tax advisor.
       
  6. Join the Miriam Legacy Society
    • When you notify us that you have included Miriam in your estate plans, you'll be welcomed into the Miriam Legacy Society—a special group of visionary supporters who are helping secure the future of Miriam.
      • Legacy Society members receive:
        • Invitations to special appreciation events
        • Recognition (with permission)
        • Updates on Miriam's impact and future vision
        • The satisfaction of knowing their generosity will benefit students for generations

Learn More About the Legacy Society

We Can Help

Planned giving is a personal decision, and we're here to help answer questions, not provide legal or financial advice. If you're considering a planned gift or have already included Miriam in your estate plans, we'd love the opportunity to thank you and welcome you into the Legacy Society.

Heather Kemper, MFA, CFRE, ACNP
Director of Advancement

hkemper@miriamstl.org | 314-799-9292

Sample Bequest Language

If you wish to include Miriam in your will or trust, you may share the following language with your attorney:

"I give, devise, and bequeath ____ (a specific dollar amount, percentage of my estate, or the residue of my estate) to Miriam School and Learning Center, a Missouri nonprofit corporation located in St. Louis, Missouri, to be used where the need is greatest, unless otherwise designated."

Frequently Asked Questions