Easily setup a one-time or recurring payment of a gift to VISIBLE SCHOOL here:

Network for Good Electronic Giving Site

For more information, contact:

Julie Stapelman, Director of Institutional Development, at 901.381.3939 x202 or julie@visibleschool.com.

For large or detailed gifts or visits to the campus, you may also contact:

Ken Steorts,President at 901.381.3939 x203 or ken@visibleschool.com.

The following section explains how and why to give to the important educational ministry of VISIBLE SCHOOL. There are many ways to give but please consider giving today. Thanks for exploring your options here and supporting the future of music and technical education for the Church and to the world!

Become a Visible Partner

Regular financial contributions are received monthly and annually from individuals, churches, and businesses. Visible Partners support academic and community outreach programs.

  • introduction to the school and great way to become involved
  • typically in $50 to $500 monthly increments
  • one time gifts for specific school needs

Scholarship Fund

Scholarship funds help the college recruit quality students, fund student workers, provide practical internships, and assist international and local urban students.

  • churches may sponsor scholarships for interns in congregation at $3,000+/year
  • individuals may sponsor internships to their home church at $3,000+/year
  • individuals sponsor internships customized to fit their giving desire
  • Annual Board of Directors matching fund, dollar for dollar gifts up to $90,000/year

Endowment

The endowment fund provides for the continuance of programs into the next generation. The President of the college will assist donors in contributing to this important, long-term option.

  • gifts of $10,000+
  • long-term giving in annuities, life insurance benefits, other non-cash items

Capital Campaign

VISIBLE SCHOOL is currently planning for a new facility in Memphis. Gifts of land and resources toward the Capital Campaign are coordinated by the President of the college. Contact ken@visibleschool.com or 901.381.3939 for a meeting.

Why should I give to VISIBLE SCHOOL?

Thanks to the enthusiastic generosity of alumni, parents, friends, corporations, and foundations like you, VISIBLE SCHOOL is able to train and equip young artists, technicians, ministers, and business professionals in skill and character for lasting impact on the church and the arts industries. As a result of your philanthropic gifts, we come closer to fulfilling our mission, and closer to seeing the realization of the vision of a vibrant community of talented and spiritually mature, creative people.

Whether you show your support with gifts to the General Scholarship Fund and Visibility Scholarship Fund, through Recurring Gifts and Endowment donations, or by becoming a Visible Partner, please take a closer look at this section and see how your gift can impact today's brightest students.

Since 2000, VISIBLE SCHOOL has helped those with a passion to serve God through modern music and media prepare themselves for a life in music and ministry that reflects their unique talents, interests, and career aspirations. We continue to see an increased need for what we do in churches, missions, and industry around the world. We recognize the need to attract private philanthropic support from individuals and churches to assure that VISIBLE SCHOOL continues to be affordable, technologically advanced, vibrant and innovative. We welcome the financial support needed to complete the VISIBLE SCHOOL heart mission – more creative Christians in the church and the world actualized for the kingdom of God.

When and where can I give to VISIBLE SCHOOL?

We have a fundraising plan that raises the standard of Christ and excellence in arts education for this generation. Donors may give at any time of the year by mailing contributions to:

Visible School
Attn: Director of Institutional Development
9817 Huff n Puff Rd.
Lakeland, TN 38002

For special situations or more information about giving, donors should contact Founder/President Ken Steorts at 901.381.3939 x203 or via email at ken@visibleschool.com.

How can I give?

Donors committed to help in fulfilling the VISIBLE SCHOOL mission of offering the finest contemporary Christian music education in the world have many options for making gifts. VISIBLE SCHOOL recognizes that the philanthropic interests and ways of giving differ significantly and therefore outright gifts may not be suitable for everyone. There are a variety of ways in which donors may further the VISIBLE SCHOOL mission through charitable giving.

Gifts of Cash

An outright gift by cash or check is the simplest and most common form of giving. You pay no gift or estate taxes on an outright charitable gift, and you may deduct up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income on your tax return. If your gift totals more than the 50 percent limit, you can carry forward the excess portion for up to five additional tax years until it is used. You may elect to make a major gift in one year or pledge to give a total amount over several years.

Recurring Gifts

Giving recurring withdrawals is perhaps the most convenient way to make an ongoing impact on VISIBLE SCHOOL students. This option allows you to spread your gift evenly over an entire year or several years via your credit card or bank draft, so you can make a sustained difference both now and into the future! You can participate by making a convenient online gift or contacting Ken Steorts.

Matching Gifts

Most outright gifts from a donor's present or past employment qualify for matching gifts from contributing employers. This is a tremendous benefit that can greatly expand individual contributions to VISIBLE SCHOOL. Check with the human resources office at your company to determine if they offer a matching gift program. If they do, you may be able to double the value of your gift. From time to time, the VISIBLE SCHOOL Board of Directors itself sets up special matching funds for doubling the impact one makes with donations to the school.

Gifts of Appreciated Securities

You can deduct the full fair market value of a gift of capital gain securities or real estate. This means you give away the capital gain (by definition, the difference between your cost basis and its present value). Thus you avoid any penalty capital gains tax and also any sales commission that would be payable upon sale of the asset. The net cost of the gift may be further reduced because of state tax advantages, and a gift of appreciated property is not subject to the alternative minimum tax.

Bequests

You can promise gifts to VISIBLE SCHOOL through a bequest in a will by noting a specific amount of money or other asset, or a residual percentage of an estate or as a contingency. The gift may be designated as (a) a percentage of the donor's estate, (b) a specific dollar amount or description of property, (c) a residual of the donor's estate, or (d) contingent upon a certain event. Estate taxes are reduced by the value of the gift.

Charitable Remainder Trust

Establishing a charitable remainder trust is one of the most common ways to help your institution and your family. When you establish a charitable remainder unitrust, you transfer cash or property to the trust. You then decide what percentage of the trust assets' fair market value you wish to receive as income.

Charitable Gift Annuities

Charitable Gift Annuities allow donors to contribute smaller donations than are made to a Charitable Remainder Trust. A charitable gift annuity is a contract between the donor and VISIBLE SCHOOL. The donor makes a gift in exchange for a guaranteed fixed payment for the life of the donor set at the time of the gift. Checks can be issued either annually or biannually at the discretion of the donor.

Life Insurance Policies

You can make VISIBLE SCHOOL the owner and beneficiary of a new policy. The policy premium payments are tax deductible, and the policy's value is removed from your taxable estate.

You may also make VISIBLE SCHOOL the owner of an existing policy. Your deduction equals the policy replacement value unless it exceeds the cost basis. You may also continue to pay the remaining premiums yourself, qualifying you for an additional charitable contribution deduction. You may not simply make VISIBLE SCHOOL the beneficiary of the policy and receive an immediate tax deduction as this is not an irrevocable decision.

Gift of Personal Property

Of course VISIBLE SCHOOL can receive gifts of personal property donated for use in the school. This can be furniture, book collections, musical equipment or instruments, sheet music, recorded music, or office equipment – almost anything. As a 501c3, any donations to VISIBLE SCHOOL are tax-deductible.

Bargain Sale

You make a gift of real estate, securities, or other properties, and VISIBLE SCHOOL pays you your original cost basis. You receive income, a tax charitable deduction, capital gains savings, estate tax savings, and cash, in addition to the satisfaction of helping VISIBLE SCHOOL.

Purchase of VISIBLE SCHOOL Merchandise

Making donations for or buying products sold on the VISIBLE SCHOOL website or at the Lakeland campus does help to support the various programs at the school. With a strong desire to see student creative works make their way to the marketplace, VISIBLE SCHOOL sells staff, student, and community art, music, and promotional items. From time to time products are offered for a donation to a certain fund to raise money for a project. Visit the VISIBLE SCHOOL online store.