5000 Vermonters
graduate from high school
every year.
What happens next
is up to you.
What if postsecondary education was dependent on students’ abilities and interests, not on their income?
Each year approximately 5,000 students graduate from Vermont high schools. The fortunate ones have a postsecondary education plan and the resources to fund it. Just over half of young Vermonters choose to continue their education and the half that don’t often make this decision because they lack the necessary financial resources.
The Curtis Fund, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, is the leading private provider of postsecondary education scholarships. And it started with a gift from one person, Emma Eliza Curtis. In 1910 Emma Eliza Curtis left a gift in her will to ensure that future Vermonters could seek education or training regardless of their personal wealth.
This was the challenge that Emma Eliza Curtis sought to meet more than 100 years ago. Her original gift of $120,000 established an endowment that through wise investment and additional charitable giving from community members has helped fund the education of 12,000 students. But to ensure that every student who wants a postsecondary education can pursue it will require the vision and commitment of many more Vermonters.
Join The Curtis Fund Legacy Society by making a gift through your will or by naming The Curtis Fund as a beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy. Please direct bequests and beneficiary designations to The Curtis Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation.
Anyone can join The Curtis Fund Legacy Society.
If you are considering making a planned gift to The Curtis Fund or if you’ve already done so, please let us know. By sharing your intentions with us we can discuss your goals and ensure that we recognize your generous gift.
We look forward to talking with you about your thoughtful and generous commitment.
Shana Trombley, Executive Director
802-324-4833
shana@thecurtisfund.org
The Curtis Fund Legacy Society:
Leave a Legacy
Build a Future
Name The Curtis Fund in your will
By including The Curtis Fund in your will you can make a lasting gift to support Vermont students. Leaving a gift in your will is an easy way provide scholarships for future students. You can specify a certain amount, a percentage of your estate. Consider adding the following suggested language to your will:
“I give, devise, and bequeath to The Curtis Fund, located in Vermont, the sum of $ or % of my residual estate for use to support the general purpose of The Curtis Fund.”
Designate The Curtis Fund as a beneficiary.
You may include The Curtis Fund as a full or partial beneficiary of a life insurance policy, retirement account or Donor Advised Fund simply by requesting a change of beneficiary form from the company holding the assets.
A gift that offers you income now.
Charitable Gift Annuities (CGA) and Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRT and CRUT) are gifts that established now will pay you income during your lifetime while making a significant gift to The Curtis Fund at your passing. These types of gifts also will provide you a charitable deduction at the time of the gift.
New in 2023, if you are 70 ½ or older you can make a one-time election of up to $50,000 to fund a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) from your IRA. This type of donation can provide you with regular payments while supporting educational scholarships. While your gift does not qualify for a charitable gift, it can reduce your income tax liability and count toward all or part of your required minimum distributions (RMDs).
Contact Shana Trombley at 802-324-4833 or shana@thecurtisfund for more information.
Why I made a Legacy Gift
“With a lifelong interest in promoting public health I know about the importance of higher education in removing socio-economic barriers. Recognizing that women's family responsibilities caring for their children and elderly parents can be obstacles that delay postsecondary education, The Edelman-Haber Second Chance Scholarship Fund will help women break through barriers so that they can successfully complete college or certification programs.”
Robin Edelman