Celebrating 125 Years of Experiential Learning

DelVal now and then

DelVal now and then

The story of Delaware Valley University is one of vision, determination and life-changing education. As we celebrate the University’s 125th anniversary, we invite you to designate a future gift to our 125th Anniversary Scholarship Fund.

The National Farm School, as it was known in 1896, was founded by Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf to address the growing problem of immigrant slums in American cities that provided little or no opportunity for people to improve their lives.

Rabbi Krauskopf was passionate about the idea of providing these immigrants an education that included practical training, or what he called “science with practice.” With the vast amounts of open land in America, he believed that going back to the land to farm was the best solution to lift people out of poverty and provide a way to make a living.

“It was the desire not just to teach for teaching’s sake, but to teach in a way that could help people to not only better their own conditions, but also that of their friends, neighbors and society at large,” Rabbi Krauskopf’s great-grandson, Joseph “Chip” Krauskopf, said in a recent interview.

Rabbi Krauskopf led the congregation at Keneseth Israel in Philadelphia at the time, and went about raising the money to start the school. He needed $10,000 and raised money from members of the congregation and other influential Philadelphians including Benjamin Gimbel, Samuel Lit and Adolph Eichholz.

His dream became reality with 16 students taking the first classes in the fall of 1897. Students chose animal science or crop science in those early years. There were years of hard work and many setbacks and challenges ahead, but Rabbi Krauskopf was indefatigable and simply would not let the school fail. He continued to raise money and make connections for the school and help it grow until his death in 1923.

Today, Delaware Valley University is a modern institution with 29 undergraduate majors, eight graduate degrees and one doctoral program. Nearly 2,000 students live and learn on the campus, which has grown to over 1,000 acres in both Montgomery and Bucks counties.

The theory of “science with practice” has been formalized today in DelVal’s Experience360 Program that provides hands-on learning from day one. Recent graduates’ 94% success rate upon graduation is a testament to Rabbi Krauskopf’s vision over 125 years ago.

DelVal would not be here today but for the generosity of the friends of Rabbi Krauskopf, and this support is just as essential today as it was in 1896.

You can continue the vision of Rabbi Krauskopf by including a gift in your estate plan to benefit DelVal. Contact Joseph Fiochetta at joe.fiochetta@delval.edu or 215.489.2921 to learn more.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Delaware Valley University a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to Delaware Valley University, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 700 East Butler Avenue, Doylestown, PA 18901, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to DelVal or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to DelVal as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to DelVal as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and DelVal where you agree to make a gift to DelVal 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.
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