Ways to Give

Ways to Give

Headshot style photo. Penny looks at camera and smiles.

On behalf of the Advancement team, thank you for your interest in empowering The Briarwood School. The Briarwood School could not exist without the support of the Briarwood family – parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, faculty/staff, trustees, and other community members. Whether you give your time, talent, or resources, you are helping us live out our motto, “Every child can learn, and has the right to be taught in the way he or she learns best.” We thrive with your support. 

For nearly 60 years, generations have invested in the future of our school, allowing Briarwood to carry out its mission of empowering students with diagnosed learning differences or developmental disorders to reach their maximum potential through diagnostic-prescriptive instruction in a structured academic environment. Thank you for changing the lives of students today who grow into successful, capable adults tomorrow.

Gratefully,
Penelope Khuri, Director of Advancement

advancement@briarwoodschool.org

All donations can be made through our donation portal.

Annual Giving Opportunities

Annual Giving Fund 2024: Community through Connections: The Briarwood Way

The Annual Giving Fund is our cornerstone giving opportunity.

The Annual Giving Fund is the cornerstone of fundraising for Briarwood, and the first gift we ask of alumni, parents, parents of alumni, grandparents, faculty, staff, trustees, and friends. The Annual Giving Fund provides unrestricted funds to support the full range of programs offered by our school. 

When you invest in The Briarwood School, you provide operational support for academics, arts, athletics, technology, and tuition assistance. You enable Briarwood to attract and retain outstanding faculty and staff. You support enhancements and maintenance for our beautiful campus.  Your contribution makes it possible for us to continue to meet the mission of empowering students to reach their maximum potential in a structured academic environment.

Annual Benefit

Join us at our 2025 Gala Celebration, A Night in Monte Carlo, on Saturday, March 1st, at the Junior League!

Mustang Volunteer Program (MVP)
If you are a parent or caregiver, grandparent or friend of a student at Briarwood or Tuttle, you are an MVP! Mustang Volunteer Program members gather on campus on the second Wednesday of each month to plan events that celebrate faculty and staff, build community and school spirit, and raise necessary funds for The Briarwood and Tuttle Schools. No job is too big or too small, and many hands make light work. Your involvement in the MVP makes a HUGE difference!
Ways to Get Involved

Parents and friends of The Briarwood School can get involved in a variety of ways. 2024-25 school year involvement opportunities are updated in the parent portal.

Ways to Give

Legacy Gifts

For over 55 years, we have been dedicated to promoting educational excellence, personal responsibility, and balanced growth. By remembering Briarwood in your overall estate or financial plans, you give future generations of students the opportunity to discover and develop their talents. You can plan a gift to benefit us today or after your lifetime, and often there are tax benefits for you.

Memorial Gifts and Tribute Gifts

If you have a loved one who has been impacted by The Briarwood School, establishing a memorial or tribute gift is a meaningful way to honor your loved one or celebrate a special occasion while supporting the work of our mission. Your memorial or tribute gift will be a legacy to your loved one and make a difference in the lives of current and future students.

Beneficiary Designations

You may prefer the increased flexibility that a beneficiary designation provides by using:

  • IRAs and retirement plans
  • Life insurance policies
  • Commercial annuities

It only takes three simple steps to make this type of gift. Here’s how to name The Briarwood School as a beneficiary:

  • Contact your retirement plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution for a change-of-beneficiary form.
  • Decide what percentage you would like The Briarwood School to receive, and name The Briarwood School with the percentage you choose on the beneficiary form.
  • Return the completed form to your plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution.
Make a Gift Tax-Free with an IRA

If you are 70½ years old or older, you can take advantage of a simple way to benefit The Briarwood School and receive tax benefits in return. You can donate up to $100,000 from your IRA directly to a qualified charity, such as The Briarwood School, without having to pay income taxes on the money. This popular gift option is commonly called the IRA charitable rollover, but you may also see it referred to as a qualified charitable distribution, or QCD for short.

This law no longer has an expiration date so you are free to make annual gifts to our organization this year and well into the future.

Wills and Living Trusts
 

In as little as one sentence, you can complete your gift. This type of donation to Briarwood in your will or living trust helps ensure that we continue our mission for years to come.

 

The official bequest language for The Briarwood School is:

“I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to The Briarwood School (EIN 81-4638450) of Houston, TX [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose.”

Planned Giving

There are new ways to make a gift that also take into consideration your personal circumstances and the needs of your loved ones.

Charitable Gift Annuities

There’s a way for you to support The Briarwood School and feel confident that you have dependable income in your retirement years. You can do this with a charitable gift annuity.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Briarwood where you agree to make a gift to Briarwood  and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.  This type of donation can provide you with regular payments and allow us to further our work. You can also qualify for a variety of tax benefits, including a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize.

Charitable Remainder Trusts

This plan can increase your income, reduce your taxes, unlock appreciated investments, rid you of investment worries and ultimately provide very important support.

Endowed Gifts

Discover a powerful way to make a gift to us in your name or in the name of a loved one while realizing tax benefits for your kindness.

 

An endowment gift to The Briarwood School today provides a brighter picture for our future. When you make a donation to our endowment, you give a gift with both immediate and long-term benefits. Endowment donations are invested. A portion of the annual income from the investment is used to address immediate needs at Briarwood. The remaining funds are reinvested to ensure indefinite support.

Donor Advised Funds

Access the giving power of a private foundation without the expense or complexity.

Charitable Lead Trusts

Make a donation now while reducing the tax burden for your heirs in the future.

Restricted & Endowment Gifts

Endowment funds provide Briarwood with a steady flow of income to support a variety of programs. Gifts can be made for specific purposes or to the general endowment, which supports all areas of the School. Endowments can be designated for departments, financial aid, faculty continuing education, technology, operation and maintenance of facilities, and specific academic programs.

Scholarship Fund

By endowing a scholarship, you can create a lasting legacy for students, see immediate benefits of your gifts, and take an income tax deduction.  You may name the scholarship, meet the students, faculty and create specific guidelines.  (Example: need-based; merit-based)

Flexible Giving

Make A Pledge

You can make a one-time donation or recurring pledge with the safety and security of an online donation. 

Matching Gifts

Many corporations offer donation-matching programs for employees. Contact us to see if your employer participates.

Retail Share Card Program

One easy way to “set it and forget it,” retail sharing is an easy way to make contributions.