Empowering Innovation in Ithaca Public Schools for Generations to Come
IPEI is committed to the vital role of public education in shaping the future of Ithaca.
By including IPEI in your planned giving options, you ensure that creativity, excellence, and community engagement remain at the core of our classrooms.
Options for Planned Giving
Please note: The following information is not intended as legal or financial advice. Financial situations vary for every individual . IPEI encourages those considering a planned gift to consult with their financial or legal advisor.
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If you’re 70½ or older, you can donate directly from your IRA to charity, without the amount counting as income on your tax return. This is called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). The best part? You won’t pay tax on the distribution, so the charity receives the full amount.
This is especially beneficial for those required to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). IRA owners 72 or older must withdraw a set percentage each year based on their age. By donating some (or all) of that amount directly to charity, you can avoid taxes, and it counts toward the RMD requirement—up to $100,000 annually.
A QCD may also help lower your Medicare premiums. Since premiums are based on modified adjusted gross income, reducing income through a QCD can keep you from moving into a higher premium bracket.
Importantly, a QCD isn’t counted as income, so you don’t need to itemize deductions. However, if you do itemize, keep in mind that QCDs cannot also be claimed as an itemized charitable deduction.
Making a QCD donation is simple: Just ask your IRA trustee to issue a check payable to:
IPEI
PO Box 4268
Ithaca, NY 14852 -
If your family is grown and a life insurance policy is no longer needed for its original protection, it can be repurposed into a beautiful gift of education. You can name IPEI as a beneficiary to help fund a future you believe in.
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By simply naming IPEI as a partial beneficiary of an IRA or 401(k), you can provide transformative support. It’s a gentle way to give that often carries significant tax relief for your loved ones, allowing more of your hard-earned resources to reach the causes you care about.
The Brodhead Legacy Society
The Brodhead Legacy Society recognizes those who have remembered IPEI in their estate plans or wills. The name honors Chuck and Phyllis Brodhead and their family for their long-term commitment to the students and teachers of the Ithaca City School District.
Chuck and Phyllis Brodhead made Ithaca their home for over four decades. Phyllis spent 31 years as the Library Media Specialist at Boynton Middle School. Chuck, a communications and public relations expert, helped to establish IPEI and stayed engaged with the organization for 15 years until his passing in 2011. Together, they raised four children, all graduates of Ithaca High School with three going on to graduate from Cornell University. Their daughter, Margery Brodhead, after retiring from a career in NYC, moved back to Ithaca, and immediately became involved with IPEI. She served on the Grants Panel, moved on to the Board and eventually served as Board President from 2020 - 2026. Chuck, Phyllis, and their family believed so deeply in the value of public education and the importance of investing in quality learning experiences for Ithaca students.
What began as a passion project has evolved into something more. We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more excited for what’s ahead.
Interested in learning more about including IPEI in your planned giving?