The 3D Initiative

Co-creating a Sustainable Future

for

Upland Hills School

$ 2 Million Objective
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Upland Hills School

3 D GOALS $2,000,000

DIGNITY
Caring for our teaching staff ………………. ...$400,000
-Retirement income for teaching staff with 10+ years of service.
-Attracting and retaining new teaching talent…….$150,000

DIVERSITY
Endowing Tuition Assistance Program………….$500,000
- @ 5.35% will provide $ 26,750 of program income.

World Teachers and Guest Lecturers ………….$300,000

-@5.35% will provide $16,050 of yearly income for cultural programming.

DEVELOPMENT
Solar Roof and Building Improvements ……….$250,000
Strategic Land Preservation ………………..$400,000
____________
$2,000,000
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Upland Hills School

3 D INITIATIVE
“In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.”
From the Great Law of the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy

Alumni, family, friends, and staff of Upland Hills have experienced the joy and wild beauty of
the land upon which the school resides. First, through the foresight of the Webster family, and
then once again through the founding families of the school, a vision of what was, what is now, and
what has guided the community. The importance of stewardship is to
preserve the legacy: the land, people and programs of the school.
The way in which stewardship unfolds at Upland Hills is in keeping
with the living, breathing influence of the land and the spirit that is
woven through the school’s history. It starts with understanding the
roles that dignity, diversity, and development play in the values of the
school.

Walk lightly on the land. Take away memories. Leave behind only
footprints. The footprint that Upland Hills School leaves behind is
a new definition of education. One that calls upon those who enter
its doors to seek understanding; understand oneself, understand others, and understanding the land
upon which they walk. Innovative techniques that draw out the talents and creativity of the students
and staff are core to this seek and understand model. Caring for the grounds, initiating new pro-
grams, attracting high quality staff are equal components to this seek and understand school’s
learning model.

As anyone who has visited our campus knows, Upland Hills is unique. It is a place known for con-
necting children to their inner genius. It is a place as beautiful to look at as it is to experience.
From the humble beginnings of classes held in a tepee tent, later using hands and hearts to build a
geodesic dome, children and staff have been inspired learners and builders of dreams. That same
spirit where people are inspired to higher ideals, values, education and goals, guides the future direc-
tion of the school. With the help of Upland Hills School 3 D Initiative people such as you, who
dedicate time, effort and financial support to sustain and improve the school, we honor this vision
and carry Upland Hills forward.
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Upland Hills School

DIGNITY

This initiative ensures that the teachers of our youth, caretakers who have all served
the school for an average of 22 years are attended to in a way that allows their dig-
nity and voice to continue to be heard for the wisdom it holds. How we model the care
for our elders is one value which we teach our youth. To provide a fair and equitable
retirement for the permanent staff members that have lived modest and gracious lives
on behalf of the school’s youth, the priority is to raise funds so they can face the
changes and challenges of retirement circumstances. The teachers will receive ten
years of income through the establishment of individual annuity plans. The goal is to
raise $400,000 for this initiative.

In addition, Upland Hills School needs to attract and retain passionate, qualified
and gifted faculty as well as ensure innovative and appropriate programs. As current
teaching staff retires, Upland Hills School wants to attract teachers who are both
diverse in their teaching methods as well as committed to upholding the carefully
crafted Upland Hills learning model. The goal is to raise $150,000 for this initia-
tive.
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Upland Hills School

DIVERSITY
Sub goal $800,000

The Endowment Fund allows World Teachers to directly instruct, interact, and
influence the hearts and minds of Upland Hills students as visiting faculty and guest
talent for the Karen Joy Theatre season. Expanding the learning boundaries of
students through unique academic and cultural opportunities is a key benchmark of an
Upland Hills School education.

Gifts to the Endowment

Fund ensure that the
principle stays intact.
Approximately 5% of the
invested income is used. This
allows unique programs, such
as visits from Bernard
Woma, the master
xylophonist of Ghana,
Medard Gabel, from the
World Game Institute, or
theatre companies such as
Wild Swan, to flourish and expand. The goal of this initiative is $300,000.

Another important goal of the Diversity Initiative is to endow the tuition assistance
program at the school. Serving a socially and financially diverse student background
has always been part of the Upland Hills School philosophy. In order to sustain
“Nancy’s Fund”, named for a well-loved and highly regarded past parent, Nancy
Jerger Gauthier, a significant endowment is needed. Before she passed away, Nancy
served on the tuition assistance committee as well as worked as a part time instructor at
the school. Nancy believed in keeping the Upland Hills experience affordable and
accessible to all types of learners and families. Endowing the Tuition Assistance Fund
will bring that dream into fruition. The goal of this effort is $500,000.
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Upland Hills School

DEVELOPMENT
The school’s current building needs improvements to enhance its functionality. Living lightly on the land
and placing no financial burden upon the shoulders of those who come next to lead the school is an
important aspect of the school’s value system. It ties into an important component of the school’s
teaching: sustainability and appropriate use of available resources. Key areas of the school that impact
the community and curriculum include the kitchen and library. Renovations and expansion of the current
space will take advantage of many energy-saving resources that are currently available. The kitchen and
library are used by the staff and students on a daily basis and are inadequate for our growing needs.
Plans include taking advantage of the current building footprint and re-configuring the physical areas.
Other efficiencies that are coupled into this plan include utilizing energy saving technology by the
purchase of new “green friendly” appliances and other sustaining necessities that will allow the school to
effectively live within its means and serve the needs of its students.
Another opportunity that is a continuing milestone in Upland Hills School teaching legacy is its focus
on using innovative technology to teach sustainability. Through upgrading the school’s ability to use solar
power and offering a tie back into the grid system, Upland Hills School will once again be a landmark
school in expressing its value system in a viable form. This forward thinking step provides the school with
a way to abate its current debt serving responsibilities, offer a teaching tool to current students, as well
as serve as a learning model for other schools. Solar
panels would be placed on the roof by students in the
oldest morning meeting group. These students would be
mentored and supervised through a collaborative effort
of UHS staff and business sponsored personnel. This
relationship building project offers an opportunity for
businesses to directly enhance students’ learning in an
ever growing area of state, national and world interest.
The combined project of revitalizing the current building
as well as integrating a solar roof system will be
$250,000.
Upland Hills School’s ability to create collaborate campus relationships, through additional land
preservation or purchase is limited at best. Providing funding for an opportunity creates a viable way for
UHS to move forward confidently. It provides UHS a chance to pioneer in creating life long living
and learning possibilities in an ecological rich setting that is valued not just by those whose feet touch its
ground, but, also by Local and National Environmental Stewards who have place the surrounding land
as a Priority One for preservation. The goal for this land preservation initiative is $400,000.
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Upland Hills School

3 D INITIATIVE
$2 Million Goal

THE GIVING TREE

Individuals and groups of individuals often join resources together to serve Upland Hills School.
This offer donors a way to build community with other like minded givers. Naming opportunities
include:

VISIONARIES $ 500,000
-Land Preservation Site.

ADVENTURERS $ 300,000
-Solar roof demonstration site.
-World teachers & Guest Lecture Program

MAP MAKERS $ 100,000

-The Library
-The Kitchen
-The Dome

PATH FINDERS $ 50,000

-6 Named rooms
-Specific Tuition Assistance Sponsorships

STONE BUILDERS $25,000

-Key Renovation Project Opportunities

EARTH TENDERS $10,000

All Individuals and Groups will be acknowledged and visibly recognized as donors to the
3D INITIATIVE
in our prominently displayed permanent honor roll.
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Upland Hills School

OUR STORY
1971-1979
Upland Hills Farm School started
One of the first schools in country to plant and tend a garden
Geodesic Dome is built by staff and students
The “All School Sleepover” tradition begins
Dunlite Wind System is installed
The Smithsonian Book of Inventions highlights school
School meets in trailers
Ecological Awareness Center founded
The Bus Accident
Learning as a Journey” video produced
1980-1989
Richard Buckminister Fuller opens EAC
Ashley Montagu visits school for “Project Schoolhouse”
Wisdom Teachers start regularly visiting the school
School moves out of trailers into current building
School expands to include a morning meeting for 4-5 year olds
The Quilt Retreat begins as a yearly tradition
Joins Association of Independent Michigan Schools
Director’s House is added to campus
Grandparents’ Day begins
Renaissance Program begins
1990-1999
Empty Bowls starts at UHS
One of first schools in Michigan with internet access in a classroom
The land bridge is built by oldest morning meeting group
The solar powered greenhouse is built by staff and students
Final projects program is started
Dorothy Webster passes away
The wall between the earliest morning meeting groups is opened
Current size of student population stabilizes at 85
Golden Apple award given to Phil and Karen
2000 and Beyond
Wild School Awards
Karen Joy Theatre is built and opens
Knight Webster passes away
Website developed
Participant in the Detroit Diversity Forum
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Upland Hills School

3 D INITIATIVE
Ways to Give
Your generous gift will impact Upland Hills School greatly. Whether you want to eliminate taxes or benefit from an
increased income stream, there is a gift to fit every objective. After determing the gift that is right for you, meet with

I. CASH GIFTS
Cash gifts are the simplest way to give. Through a single payment or a pledged payment spanning three or more years,
you can make a more substantial gift, while affording the opportunity to adjust timing and amount of each payment to
achieve the most beneficial tax benefit. Gifts of cash are deductible up to 50% of your adjusted gross income for the
taxable year, but any excess is deductible over the next 3 years.
II. STOCKS OR OTHER SECURITIES
Gifts of stock or appreciated securities permit you to realize substantial tax advantages and to give beyond your cur-
rent means. A gift of stock and bonds allow a deduction equal to the fair market value of the securities, as well as a
reduction or elimination of capital gain taxes on the transfer. If you assign appreciated securities, held for at least one
year to Upland Hills School, you may deduct the fair market value of the gift from declared adjusted gross income and
avoid any capital gains taxes. The best stocks to donate are those that have increased greatly in value, particularly those
producing a low yield.
III. REAL ESTATE
If you own property that is fully paid off and has appreciated in value, an outright gift may be the simplest solution. You
can deduct the fair market value of your gift, avoid all capital gains taxes and remove that asset from your taxable es-
tate. You can transfer the deed of your home or farm to us now and keep the right to use the properity for your lifetime
and that of your spouse.
IV. LEGACY GIVING
A testamentary gift one that is uniquely personal, is made through a will or living trust. You can do this
through a bequest, either restricted or unrestricted, life insurance plans, and retirement plans, such as IRAs, tax-
sheltered annuities, and/or qualified pension and profit-sharing plans. A testamentary gift is an excellent way to support
Upland Hills School while benefiting heirs and reducing estate taxes.
V. BEQUEST
The simplest planned gift you can make is through a bequest. A bequest is a gift made through a will or trust. This is
one in which cash or specific assets are directed to Upland Hills School. Assets might include securities or real estate.
Bequest Language can take various forms. Bequest language may read like the following: “I give Upland Hills School,
located at 2575 Indian Lake Rd. in Oxford, MI, the sum of $______ (or specifically describe the real or personal
property) to be used at the discretion of the board of trustees.
VI. LIFE INSURANCE
You can make a gift of life insurance to Upland Hills School by naming Upland Hills as owner, or beneficiary. Your
gift may be a paid up policy, an existing policy with a cash value, or a new policy. You can assign ownership of a life insur-
ance policy to Upland Hills School and receive an immediate charitable deduction.
VII. RETIREMENT PLANS
Retirement plan assets such as Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), tax sheltered annuities, 401(k), 403(b), Ke-
ogh plans, self-employed plans (Seeps), and other qualified pension and profit-sharing plans can provide significant support
for Upland Hills School. You can simply designate Upland Hills School as the successor beneficiary on the beneficiary
designation/statement. All gifts are deductible to the full extent allowable by law.
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Upland Hills School

3 D INITIATIVE
Letter Of Intent

I believe in the vision of Upland Hills School. I am therefore pleased to advise you of my pledge
to support the 3 D Initiative with a gift of $____________.

My gift is to be used by Upland Hills as indicated below:

___ As an undesignated gift to the School. Please use it in the most beneficial way.

Or As a restricted gift to the Initiative's described below:

Dignity Initiative____ Diversity Initiative _____ Development Initiative _____

Teachers’ Retirement Guest Lectures Program Land Acquisition, Preservation
Attracting New Faculty & Strategic Development
Tuition Assistance Endowment Building Renovations &
Alternative Energy Project
I /we intend to make this contribution in the form of _______________ (cash, charge, securi-
ties, trust, etc.) over 1, 2, or 3 years (circle one).
My initial gift of $_________ is enclosed or may be expected by ____________ (date).
(Checks should be made payable to Upland Hills School.)
Please send an initial pledge reminder _______________ (date) and then
Semi-Annually; Annually, thereafter.
My/our gift is made in memory (honor) of:

While I understand that the amount of my/our gift will not be publicized externally without my/
our permission, the School may publish my/our name's) among those of other donors in the Giving
Circle recognition levels established by the School.

_____________________________________________________________________
Signature Name (please print)
______________________________________________________________________
Street Address City/State/Zip Code
__________________ ___________________________________________
Phone Number Today’s Date