Planned Giving and Estate Planning

Make a Planned Gift, Make an Estate Plan

Ensure Clarke’s excellence for generations to come with a legacy gift.

Honoring the Past, Investing in the Future

Around 1867, John Clarke dreamed of creating a school where children who were deaf could gain the learning and speaking skills they needed to succeed. His own gifts and bequest built that dream, and it endures today thanks in large part to bequests and planned gifts from those who followed in his footsteps. They have ensured Clarke’s excellence for generations to come, and we invite you to join them.

Plan Your Legacy

Clarke honors and recognizes those extraordinary people who have provided for Clarke in their estate plans by means of a bequest, charitable trust, annuity, life insurance policies, retirement plans and other vehicles.

If you have included Clarke in your estate plans, please let us know. We would like to thank you for your generosity; make sure the purpose of your gift is understood and documented.

Planned giving includes leaving a bequest in your will, trust or from your retirement plan to provide a continuation of the giving you attended to during your lifetime. After you are gone, you may want to provide a legacy to Clarke to perpetuate funds needed to continue the mission initiated many years ago. And the gift may be tax deductible!

- Hy Darling, chair of the estate planning and elder law department, Bacon Wilson, P.C. and a Clarke donor

Meet Legacy Donors

My attorney suggested that I might enjoy the act of giving my legacy gift today. Becoming a member of the John Clarke Legacy Society has been a very satisfying experience. My mother-in-law, Marion Wood, was a teacher at Clarke for many years and my gift honors her dedication to teaching children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

- Joyce Gare

She taught people by how she lived, even in how she left her estate. The best we can do is be receptive to these lessons.

- Jane Berger, about her friend Bluma Cohen who made a legacy gift to Clarke. Read about a legacy gift from Bluma.

To her, Clarke saved her. She loved it there. Once she got there she blossomed.

- Mildred, about her mother Amelia Ragis who attended Clarke and left a legacy gift. Read more about Amelia on page 22.

Make a Planned Gift, Make a Difference

Your planned gift to Clarke is a powerful way to support children who are deaf or hard of hearing and to help secure our financial future. You can also support Clarke by making gifts of mutual fund shares, stock or securities.

For more information on these meaningful gifts, please contact develop@clarkeschools.org or 413.584.3450.

Our Stories

Ashton

Meet six-year-old Ashton, a bright and creative student who has been part of the Clarke community since he was two.

Noah

A proud student in Clarke's Preschool and Early Elementary Program, Noah wears both a hearing aid and CROS device to...

Coraline

Coraline is a vibrant six-year-old in Clarke’s Early Childhood Program who lights up every room with her smile and energy.

Recent Clarke News

Denise Kozuch-Harakal, Development Director at Clarke Pennsylvania

Clarke Pennsylvania Welcomes Denise Kozuch-Harakal as Development Director

With nearly 30 years in fundraising and development, Denise Kozuch-Harakal has led successful campaigns and secured major grants.

June 11, 2025

Pennsylvania’s First Lady Lori Shapiro Visits Clarke Pennsylvania

On Thursday, May 29, Clarke Pennsylvania welcomed First Lady Lori Shapiro to meet Clarke students and tour Clarke’s space at St. Joseph’s University Hawk Hill campus.

June 4, 2025