NEW!

Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some questions that are frequently asked about the KML Legacy Foundation. If you have another question that you do not see below, please email your questions to Ann Jahns, KML's Gift Planning Officer, at ann.jahns@kmlhs.org.
- 01
- 02
The Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School Legacy Foundation, Inc., is a unique charity that exists to support Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School. It has been established to:
- Manage an endowment fund for perpetual support of student assistance for KML.
- Use the fund's earnings to assist families and advance the mission of Kettle Moraine
Lutheran High School.
- Demonstrate a long-term commitment to Christian education for generations to come.
The KML Legacy Foundation manages an endowment fund for the purpose of providing tuition assistance for KML students and supporting other efforts that enhance the ministry at KML.
- 03
In most cases, yes, donations to the KML Legacy Foundation are tax-deductible. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the KML Legacy Foundation is qualified to receive tax-deductible donations. A receipt will be issued promptly after your donation is processed. Please note that if you are setting up a repeating monthly or quarterly donation, your receipt will be sent in January of the following year.
Some donations, such as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA account, do not qualify for a tax deduction. To determine whether your gift is tax-deductible, contact us in advance of making the donation or talk with your financial representative or tax advisor.
- 04
- 05
Of course! You can contribute at any time. One-time gifts and ongoing commitments are always appreciated and meaningful.
Many options are available for people who wish to creatively make gifts to the Foundation.
In addition to current gifts, many people choose to make a deferred gift through their estate plan for the Foundation. There are various options available to make a deferred gift that provides a lasting impact for KML.
- 06
The Legacy Foundation is able to accept a wide variety of contributions, including:
- Cash or checks
- Credit card [American Express, MasterCard, VISA, or Discover]
- Automatic monthly contributions through credit cards or electronic check
- Securities - shares of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
- Charitable IRA rollover (as allowed by law)
- Wills, bequests, trusts
- Real estate
- Life insurance
- 07
- 08
Donations to the KML Legacy Foundation can be given at any time. All gifts will make a lasting impact regardless of the timing!
Current gifts to the Foundation are made at any time throughout the year. Donors who wish to claim a charitable deduction should consider the timing of the gift to make sure it will be credited in the proper year.
Many gifts to the Foundation are deferred gifts that come by making a gift through a will or trust, or by naming the Foundation as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, retirement account, bank account, or other fund.
- 09
The KML Legacy Foundation Board of Directors is guided by its established investment and distribution policies as well as the specific donor's intent. The Foundation Board does not write a blank check to the high school. Instead, the Foundation Board makes a commitment to provide funds for tuition assistance and specific projects or programs based on the recommendations of the Board and the intent of the donors as expressed in their estate gift instructions. Donors should meet with KML's Gift Planning Officer, Ann Jahns (ann.jahns@kmlhs.org), in advance of restricting a gift to ensure the donation will meet the requirements of the Foundation as well as the donor's wishes.
- 10
- 11
Donations to the KML Legacy Foundation are accepted by the KML Legacy Foundation Board. Upon acceptance, the money will be invested in an account that is managed by the Board, and a gift receipt will be issued to the donor or the donor's estate.
When we are notified that a donor has designated the KML Legacy Foundation in their estate plan, the information is entered in a database and noted by members of the Legacy Foundation Board. This process ensures the gift will be applied appropriately when it is received in the future.
Gifts to the Legacy Foundation that are unrestricted are added to the general endowment fund and used for perpetual support for Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School. Gifts to the Legacy Foundation that are restricted will be used in accordance with the restriction. A common example is a named endowed fund for tuition assistance or a scholarship.
In all cases, the Legacy Foundation Board oversees the actual investment of funds, chooses the professional team to manage the funds, sets the investment goals for the funds, and regularly evaluates the performance of the account.
- 12
An endowed scholarship is a donor-restricted gift of at least $10,000 that is established for a specific purpose. The gift is invested and managed through the KML Legacy Foundation. An annual distribution from the endowed scholarship is used to provide funding for the specific use as identified by the donor.
Through the KML Legacy Foundation, an individual, family, or congregation can establish an endowed scholarship, such as the Smith Family Memorial Scholarship Fund or the St. John's Scholarship Fund. Endowed scholarships can be established with current gifts or estate gifts (wills, trusts, beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, insurance policies, etc.).
- 13
The KML Legacy Foundation's endowed scholarship program has grown because of donors' interest to educate, encourage, and equip future Christian leaders. Creating an endowed scholarship is an opportunity to recognize a loved one, family, or business. All students who receive a named scholarship are made aware that others share a commitment to their education and are given an opportunity to meet the donor when possible.
- 14
Although gifts of any size can be contributed toward general tuition assistance, a named endowed scholarship that will provide an annual award requires a minimum gift of $10,000. Annual distributions are typically 5% of the fund's balance. The principal remains in the fund and ideally will grow over time, which corresponds to larger annual distributions.
- 15
No. The KML Legacy Foundation does not financially compensate its Foundation Board members. The Board members not only donate their time and talent to the KML Legacy Foundation but also donate a measure of their treasure. The motivation to serve on the Foundation Board is based on their commitment and dedication to the gospel ministry of KML.
- 16