Skip To Main Content

The Sylvia and Julian Baxter Legacy Society: Securing Radcliffe Creek's Future

Radcliffe Creek School is pleased to announce the launch of the Sylvia and Julian Baxter Legacy Society to recognize donors who have generously included Radcliffe Creek in their estate plans.

The Story Behind the Society

This society encourages individuals to consider planned gifts to ensure the long-term sustainability of Radcliffe Creek. It honors Sylvia and Julian Baxter, long-time supporters who have provided scholarships since the school's inception and have now secured the Sylvia and Julian Baxter Scholarship with a significant bequest in their estate plans. Radcliffe Creek's Former Head of School, Meg Bamford, expressed deep gratitude for the Baxters' instrumental role in establishing this fund.

Sylvia Baxter emphasized the critical role of financial aid in making Radcliffe Creek's specialized education accessible to all students, stating, “Financial aid is a critical component of the Radcliffe Creek School's annual budget. Without adequate resources devoted to scholarships, students who could otherwise benefit from all that the school offers would be unable to attend,”. She also expressed her pleasure in being able to support future generations through their estate planning.


Your Lasting Impact

By joining the Baxter Legacy Society, members can direct their gifts to five key areas that ensure Radcliffe Creek's strength and continuity. These include:

  • General Endowment: To ensure the school's long-term financial health and sustainability.
  • Financial Aid: To provide scholarships that make a Radcliffe Creek education accessible to deserving students.
  • Faculty Support: To attract and retain exceptional educators dedicated to Radcliffe's mission.
  • Capital Improvements: To enhance and maintain the school's facilities and learning environment.
  • Academic and Athletic Programming: To enrich the student experience with a diverse range of educational and extracurricular opportunities.


Common Planned Giving Options

There are various ways to leave a legacy, offering both a significant impact on Radcliffe Creek and potential tax benefits for donors and their heirs.

  • Bequests: A simple and common option, involving specific language in a will or trust to designate a portion of one's estate to the school.
  • Appreciated Securities: Transferring assets like stocks or bonds can offer tax advantages, including avoiding capital gains tax.
  • Real Estate: Donors can deed property to the school while retaining the right to live there for life, providing a current income tax deduction and simplifying probate.
  • Life Insurance: Naming Radcliffe Creek as the owner and beneficiary of a policy can lead to immediate tax deductions, and future premiums can also be deductible.
  • IRA and Retirement Plan Assets: These are optimal assets to direct to non-profits and can be designated to the school by percentage after supporting the owner and spouse.
  • Charitable Gift Annuities: These contracts offer fixed payments for life and potential tax benefits, while benefiting Radcliffe Creek after the donor's passing.
  • Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs): These irrevocable trusts provide income to beneficiaries (donors and/or spouses) for life, with the principal going to Radcliffe Creek upon their passing. CRTs can offer fixed or variable income and tax benefits


Join the Legacy

Radcliffe Creek invites alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty (past and present), and those who wish to honor the school's Founders to consider joining the Sylvia and Julian Baxter Legacy Society and become part of securing the future of Radcliffe Creek School. To explore planned giving options and discuss how you can leave a lasting legacy, please contact Radcliffe Creek's Advancement Coordinator.