ISP Giving FAQs

An endowment fund is a critical component of an independent school’s financial stability, planning and growth. It is a long-term investment in which the principal amount (comprised primarily of donations) is invested and remains unspent while the perpetual interest income becomes an important funding source for the school.

ISP has two types of endowment funds: unrestricted and restricted. Unrestricted funds can be used at the discretion of the school to fund the greatest needs of the organization in any given year. Restricted funds are designated for a specific purpose (student financial aid, teacher professional development, the library, technology, etc.).

A robust endowment is critical to the long-term health of International School of Portland. It affords the school flexibility in planning, provides a safety net, creates budget relief, and makes a ISP education attainable for more families.

Endowment Funds strengthen our community by promoting social-economic diversity through need-based scholarships, allowing us to invest more in our teachers’ professional growth, and broadening educational opportunities for our students.

The Endowment Committee of the Board of Trustees is responsible for oversight of International School of Portland’s endowment assets. The Committee is charged with allocating investment funds consistent with the school’s Investment Policy, reviewing the returns on investment assets, and reporting on fund performance. The Endowment Committee monitors ISP’ compliance with the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act.

International School of Portland’s Investment Policy can be obtained by request from the Development Office.

An endowment gift is a gift that keeps giving long into the future. Your contribution is invested by the school. The original amount of your gift remains intact while the perpetual income it generates benefits the people and program you choose to support for years to come.

ISP has two types of endowment funds: unrestricted and restricted.

Unrestricted Gifts: When you choose to make a gift to the ISP unrestricted endowment fund, your donation will be used to fund the greatest needs of our school in any given year. This fund also serves as a “safety net” to ensure the school’s future in the event of an unforeseen downturn.

Restricted Gifts: Donors who make a gift to a restricted fund, like the ones listed above, designate their gift for a specific purpose like financial aid, the library, teacher professional development and more. The income generated by their gift goes to fund this purpose in perpetuity.

Yes! No matter how big or small, your support makes a difference. You can make a gift of any amount to the ISP unrestricted endowment fund, or any of the existing restricted funds that are meaningful to you and your family. To establish your own named endowment fund, restricted to a specific purpose, we request that you make a minimum contribution of $25,000.

You will receive an annual report on the endowment fund that you support. Your personalized report will include both a review of the fund’s investments, performance and pay outs as well as a description of how your gift was put into action and the impact it has had our students, teachers and school.

You can make an outright gift to the school in the form of cash or appreciated securities. You can also make a pledged donation payable over a number of years.

Leaving a bequest or other estate gift to ISP is another way to make an enduring contribution to the people and programs close to your heart. More information on this opportunity can be found below. Please let us know of your intention to make a Planned Gift. It will allow us to fully understand how you would like your gift to go to work and to be able to honor the intent of your donation.

A planned, or deferred, gift is an excellent way to make a meaningful contribution to ISP students and teachers, to honor someone special, or to create a legacy for your family at International School of Portland.

A planned gift is a gift that is arranged in the present, but allocated in the future. Planned gifts are often estate gifts and generally donated through a person’s will, trust or retirement account.

The simplest way to make a legacy gift is to create a bequest by naming International School of Portland as a beneficiary of a portion of your estate. A bequest can leave a specific amount of cash, securities or assets to the organization, a percentage of the entire estate, or the residual amount of the estate (the portion left over after all over obligations have been accounted for).

A bequest is truly a gift for the future. While it costs nothing to create, it will make a tremendous impact to the students, teachers and school of tomorrow.

There are many other ways to make a planned gift. Please contact the ISP Development Office to discuss other opportunities.

Sample Bequest Language:
The following is intended as an example for you to review as you draft a bequest that meets your individual needs and interests. Please consult with your attorney on the exact and appropriate wording.

General Bequest (a donation of a specific amount of money or a specific asset):

• Unrestricted Gift: “I give to International School of Portland in Portland, Oregon (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization federal Tax Identification Number 94-3126167) [insert here the exact dollar amount or asset]. This is a gift to the School’s [permanent endowment fund or operating budget].”

• Restricted Gift: “I give to International School of Portland in Portland, Oregon (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization federal Tax Identification Number 94-3126167) [insert here the exact dollar amount or asset]. This gift shall be directed to the [Fund Name].”

Residuary Bequest (a donation of the remainder or percentage of the remainder of your estate after all other obligations have been fulfilled):

• Unrestricted Gift: “I give to International School of Portland in Portland, Oregon (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization federal Tax Identification Number 94-3126167) all [or a portion] of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate. This is a gift to the School’s [permanent endowment fund or operating budget].”

• Restricted Gift: “I give to International School of Portland in Portland, Oregon (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization federal Tax Identification Number 94-3126167) all [or a portion] of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate. This gift shall be directed to the [Fund Name].”

Yes! Please do. This is important for several reasons. First, it allows the school to fully understand how you would like your gift to be used and to be able to honor the intent of your donation. Sharing news of your gift will also allow the school to recognize you for your generosity and support. Your contribution can also serve as an inspiration to others in the community, thereby helping to grow this important avenue of support.