Honoring Berkeley in Your Estate and Financial Plans
One of the most meaningful ways you can support our students’ education is by providing a legacy gift to the school in your estate planning. This gift speaks to the value you place on our school community and ensures that the opportunity of a Berkeley education is possible for future generations of students. Planned giving offers many options that may suit you, such as trusts, life insurance, gift annuities, or a provision in a will.
By making a planned gift, you will be recognized in perpetuity as a member of the E.C. Smith Legacy Society. E.C. Smith is a founding faculty member and a former administrator and coach who served Berkeley for more than 50 years. He understands the importance of inspiring others to support Berkeley through a planned gift and is honored to have his name tied to Berkeley’s legacy of excellence.
If you have already named Berkeley in your estate plans, please let us know by contacting Laura Rowe Grams, Director of Institutional Advancement, at (813) 885-1673 Ext. 2275 or gramslau@sampledrops.com.
We would be honored to welcome you into the E.C. Smith Legacy Society and would like to make sure we understand how you would ultimately like your gift to be used.
In May 2024, the Berkeley community was saddened to hear of the passing of A. Gerald “Jerry” Divers. Jerry was a longtime friend of Berkeley, who served on the Board of Trustees for 17 years and whose two sons attended the school in the 80s. Jerry’s impact on our school will continue to be felt in the years to come, as he made plans in his estate with Berkeley in mind. We fondly remember Jerry and continue to honor him by sharing his personal story below.
In the spring of 1972, Sareet Majumdar ’81 joined Berkeley as a third grade student. “One thing that remains constant through the multiple campus locations and two generations of my family at Berkeley Preparatory School is that the school has always focused on developing the total individual,” Sareet stated. Sareet and his wife, Rajjina, decided to share their passion for Berkeley by creating the Majumdar Family Scholarship Fund.
Patrick Fisher, Pipe and Drum Corps Director, recognizes the professional opportunities provided to him as a faculty member at Berkeley as the catalyst for achieving his dream of becoming a music teacher. “I’m thrilled to give back to Berkeley through my gift that will help fund a scholarship, allowing someone to experience this school that has meant so much to me.”