Valedictorian Society
The Valedictorian Society is a group of philanthropic individuals who have chosen to support the mission of ACCESS by investing in today's students and tomorrow's leaders. It is the foundation that sustains the ACCESS Financial Aid Advising and Last Dollar Scholarship Programs. All members receive priority invitations to all ACCESS events with preferential seating, commemorative gift and an E-newsletter. Select level benefits include Financial Aid Forums for an audience of the donor's choice, invitation to exclusive recognition events and donor recognition on a plaque in a select public location.
For detailed information on benefits of membership and levels of giving, please click here.
Gifts of Direct Support
Each year, corporations, foundations and philanthropic individuals provide ACCESS with much-needed financial assistance through outright gifts of cash. Gifts and pledges of cash are the easiest and most direct way to give to ACCESS. You also have the option of making recurring gifts. This option allows you to spread your gift evenly over an entire year or several years via your credit card or cash, so that you can make a sustained difference in the lives of Boston youth, both now and in the future. Gifts can be made online or mailed directly to the Development Office.
Memorials and Honorariums
Gifts can be designated to honor someone or in memory of a loved one. An acknowledgement of your gift will be forwarded to the designee or surviving family member.
Scholarship and Program Support
Outright gifts can be used to create or support scholarships, underwrite the financial aid advising program, or be designated to a specific project.
Attend and Support the Annual Fundraising Gala
An Annual Fundraising Gala is held each year, during which ACCESS honors and recognizes key individuals dedicated to supporting the dreams of Boston's youth. Leaders in business, education and the philanthropic community join together not only to raise money to support ACCESS's high-impact financial aid advising and scholarship programs, but also to celebrate the students who have succeeded with the help of ACCESS.
Matching Gift Program
Many companies sponsor matching gift programs that will match charitable contributions made by their employees. Some even match gifts made by retirees and/or spouses. These programs are a great way for companies to support our work and a chance for you to maximize your contribution. Most companies have matching gift forms available through their human resources office that you fill out and mail to us. We do the rest!
In-Kind Donations
As a nonprofit organization, ACCESS must maintain a lean budget in order to continue to provide financial aid services and scholarships for Boston's youth. We have come to rely on in-kind donations from individuals, corporations and foundations to sustain the work that we do. In-kind donations can include such items as office equipment and supplies, theater tickets, frequent flyer miles and auction items for our Annual Fundraising Gala. Your donation is tax deductible to the full extent allowable and ACCESS will provide a tax receipt for the value of your donation. For further information, please contact William Stone, Operations Director, at 617-778-7195, ext. 114.
Planned Giving
There are almost as many variations on ways to make a donation as there are needs to be met. Explore this section to discover new ways to make a gift that also takes into consideration your personal circumstances and the needs of your heirs.
Securities: By making gifts of stock, bonds or mutual funds that have appreciated in value, donors may realize savings in capital gains and other taxes by giving those assets to ACCESS. In addition to these gifts, ACCESS encourages donors to check with either their or a spouse's employer's human resource office to determine whether the employer matches charitable contributions. Please contact the development office if you are interested in making this type of gift.
Life Income Gifts: ACCESS offers donors the opportunity to establish life income gifts, such as charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts and lead trusts. These options give donors the flexibility to simultaneously support ACCESS and still receive an income. Additional advantages often include increased income, life income, avoidance of capital gains tax on appreciated property and other tax benefits. A life income gift can be structured to pay a gift to the donor and another person or persons. The gift can pay a fixed or variable income and may include an arrangement for income payments to commence immediately or at a future date.
Deferred Gift: An Estate gift, the so-called deferred gift, is generally a lump sum, bequest or trust arrangement that is realized at a future time and reflects the donor's wishes. Bequests can specify a range of potential gift options, including leaving all or a percentage of an estate to ACCESS, leaving all or part of a specific asset, such as a house, building motor vehicle, bonds or shares to ACCESS, or assigning the remainder of an estate to ACCESS after having provided for family and friends.
ACCESS will work with you and professional planned giving specialists to help maximize the impact of your contribution, including tax benefits, for your investment today in tomorrow's ACCESS Scholars. Please call Kevin Mitchell, Development Manager, for further information or to schedule an appointment, at 617-778-7195, extension 116.
