Brookwood School Donations
Thank you for making an impact at Brookwood School.
Together, we make a difference! Brookwood School values philanthropy at all levels and emphasizes the importance of participation from all members in the community. In a small (but mighty) community like Brookwood, every gift counts toward our goal and every gift matters – thank you for your partnership and for making Brookwood School a philanthropic priority for your family.
Giving Societies
Become a member of a Brookwood’s Loyalty Circle
With sincere appreciation, Brookwood recognizes our most loyal alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends who have reached consecutive annual giving milestones. Brookwood Loyalty Circle Consistent and continuous giving is critical to Brookwood’s success. Membership in the Brookwood Loyalty Circle means that you are part of a unique community of donors devoted to shaping the future of Brookwood. Donors become members by making a gift, of any size, to Brookwood for three or more consecutive fiscal years. Join the Brookwood Loyalty Circle now and take your place in this special group!
Leadership Giving at Brookwood
Support from our leadership donors is crucial for both the current financial wellbeing of Brookwood and our strategic planning for the future. Membership in the leadership giving society is based on a donor’s or family’s total giving to Brookwood between July 1 and June 30 for either unrestricted or restricted purposes, including both personal gifts and corporate matching gifts.
Giving Societies
Imperial Heron | $50,000 and Up |
Great Blue Heron | $25,000 - $49,999 |
Silver Heron | $15,000 - $24,999 |
Black Crowned Heron | $10,000 - $14,999 |
Green Heron | $5,000-$9,999 |
Heron | $3,000-$4,999 |
Great Egret | $1,500-$2,999 |
Soaring Supporters | $100 - $1,499 |
Cupola Club | $1-$99 |
The 1956 Society
The 1956 Society honors those who have included Brookwood as part of their estate plans. Planned giving is a perfect way for anyone who loves Brookwood to leave a lasting legacy and fortify our school’s future.
Estate gifts can take various forms, including a bequest or designation in your will, trust, or retirement plan. Many planned gifts will have a significant impact on Brookwood without affecting your current financial resources.
To learn more about the 1956 Society, or to notify Brookwood of your plans to include the school in your estate, please contact our Development Office and we will be delighted to assist in any way possible.
Check your status:
Unsure if you are part of the Brookwood Loyalty Circle? Check your status by reaching out to Katie Mullen at [email protected] or (978) 525-6290.
Capital Giving, Endowment and Planned Giving at Brookwood
An established endowment is essential for the long-term stability of Brookwood School. Brookwood is fortunate to have donors who continue to invest in the school’s endowment through a variety of restricted funds.
Gifts of any level may be made to the General Endowed Scholarship Fund, or a named scholarship can be established with a minimum gift of $50,000. Additional gifts may be made to existing named funds to maximize the impact these funds have on our community. By investing in an existing endowed fund or establishing a new named fund, you are creating a legacy that links past, current, and future generations, ensuring a stable financial future for Brookwood School and creating a sustainable source of income which provides Brookwood the financial flexibility to expand its services, programs and projects.
Scholarships & Endowed Funds
The Elizabeth D. Begien Scholarship is named after Elizabeth Begien ’80 more affectionately known as “Bizzy.” Bizzy is remembered for her optimism, resilience, courage and compassion. The scholarship is awarded annually to a student who “exhibits a love of learning and life as well as caring for those around them.”
Established in 2009 in honor of longstanding Brookwood partners, Anne and Steve Dodge, The Dodge Family Scholarship was designed to promote diversity and is awarded to a student in the Upper School who is in high academic standing, puts forth great efforts in academics, exhibits qualities of leadership and character, and has financial need. The Dodge Family Scholarship allows Brookwood to further its commitment to diversity. It is more evident everyday how important it is to expose and immerse our students and faculty in as many culturally diverse ways as possible.
The Covington Scholarship was established in 1999 by Bonnie and Chris Covington and is awarded to a student of color entering an Upper School grade that exhibits outstanding effort and demonstrates qualities of character and leadership.
The Josephine N. Henley Scholarship Fund was established in 2004 to honor the spirited life of Jo Henley, beloved community member and Brookwood graduate, class of 1974. This scholarship is awarded to a student who is in good standing with the Brookwood community. The opportunity to have a young, vibrant individual attend Brookwood, who would not otherwise have had the chance, is an honorable remembrance of Josephine N. Henley.
The Eliot Miles Herter Scholarship is given to a student whose family demonstrates financial need and as a testament to a student’s hard work and a celebration of success to come. Miles Herter’s history with Brookwood School began in 1956. As an original incorporator of the school, a trustee from 1957-1974, the Board Treasurer from 1969-1974, a father of four alumni and a grandfather of yet another, Miles Herter’s impact on this community has been profound. More than anything else, Miles “was an easy guy to love. He was so understanding and so compassionate and he believed that everybody deserves a second and third chance in life.”
Established in 1997, The Jaques Family Scholarship Fund is named after Marjorie Motley Jaques (1918-1988) who believed that “love and a good education” are all a child needs. This scholarship goes to a student who is a well-respected member of the Brookwood Community who otherwise would not come to Brookwood, gets that deserving chance.
The Peterman-Klesken Scholarship was established in 1997 in memory of William Peterman and The Reverend Louis and Emma Klesken. This scholarship is awarded to a student who has a compassion for and love of music. The goal is to name a recipient that has a similar compassion and love of music as John Peterman’s father and Dan Klesken’s parents.
Beginning in 1995, The Dan and Susan Wise Family Collection began to grow the Brookwood library with this annual commitment to furnish the shelves with hardcover books that reflect cultures around the world and have lasting interest to the student body.
The Bennett H. Stayman Parent & Teacher Library Fund was established in 1997 to create a library collection for the professional and personal growth of teachers and parents in development with Brookwood’s students.
The Cotreau Family Library Collection was created in 2004 to develop collections that meet the needs of Brookwood students in the field of social studies, addressing areas of interest in history, government, geography and sociology.
The Gynna and Angier Ames Endowment for Faculty Support aims to assist faculty in their teaching, creative expression, and discoveries. Brookwood School works hard to recruit and foster the careers of transformative faculty who continue to be at the forefront of best practices in academia. This endowment will provide Brookwood faculty with the funding they need to enhance their areas of expertise and to bring that knowledge into their classrooms, ultimately impacting the Brookwood community as a whole. The Gynna and Angier Ames Endowment supports such programs as Faculty Grants and other areas of faculty support.
In 2021, Brookwood School established The Nancy Y. Evans Head of School Discretionary Fund, an endowed fund that provides flexible, immediate resources for future Brookwood Heads of School for generations to come.
In 2024, the Anne and Steve Dodge Scholarship Fund was established to support students who demonstrate financial need. With a passion for education and diversity, equity and inclusion, this scholarship fund was intended to make a lasting impact on the future of Brookwood but also in the education and well-being of many deserving students, ensuring that they have access to a high-quality Brookwood education regardless of their circumstances.
Planned Giving at Brookwood
Making a planned or estate gift is a wonderful way to show your support and appreciation for Brookwood School while accommodating your own personal, financial, estate-planning, and philanthropic goals. With smart planning, you may actually increase the size of your estate and/or reduce the tax burden on your heirs. Just as important, you will know that you have made a meaningful and impactful contribution to Brookwood.
As always, contact your financial advisor for guidance and feel free to contact us to discuss your objectives.
What to Give: Gift planning may include the following opportunities for giving; each offers different advantages depending on the individual donor or couple:
- Cash/Check
- Real Estate
- IRAs/Retirement Assets
- Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds
- Life Insurance Policy
- Tangible Assets
How to Give: Donors should consult with their advisor to discuss giving vehicles best suited for their individual situation and the advantages of each. Ways to give may include:
- Gift Annuity
- Family Philanthropic Fund
- Bequests (see sample language below)
- Charitable Remainder Trust
- Retained Life Estate
- Charitable Lead Trust
Sample Bequest Language: “I give and bequeath to Brookwood School in Manchester, Massachusetts (the sum of $____ or _____% of my estate) to support its tax exempt purposes (you may insert the name of a specific academic department, endowment, or other interest).”
If you have included Brookwood in your estate plans, please let us know so that we may thank you now for your thoughtful and extraordinary support. Also, if we are in a capital campaign, and based on your age(s), we may be able to credit part or all of your planned gift towards your total campaign pledge.
Please contact your personal financial advisor for advice and feel free to reach out to the Development Office at [email protected] or (978) 525-6290 to discuss your personal situation and objectives.