Ways to Make an Impact

THE BLUE-GRAY FUND provides financial aid and scholarship assistance to qualified and deserving camper families. Each year, Camp Tecumseh seeks contributions to its annual Blue-Gray Fund campaign which enables dozens of campers to have the experience of a lifetime that a summer at Camp Tecumseh brings. For more information on how to support the Blue-Gray Fund, please contact Billy Kampmann, the Head of Community Impact at communityimpact@camptecumseh.net or (908) 310-6134.

The Blue-Gray Fund is used exclusively for scholarships for the families of boys on the basis of financial need; in addition, the Blue-Gray Fund helps keep tuition expenses competitive with other overnight camps.  Tecumseh continues to raise over $150,000 annually for its Blue-Gray Fund.

HOW TO MAKE A BLUE-GRAY FUND GIFT

Over the years, Camp Tecumseh has received generous support from former campers, counselors, staff, parents, and friends of the Camp. While the majority of donations are outright cash gifts, there are many different ways to give. At the bottom of this page are some of the different ways you can support Camp Tecumseh through the Blue-Gray Fund. Your gift to Camp Tecumseh is tax-deductible. You can click here to Donate Online.

Donate Today

The Blue-Gray Scholarship Endowment Campaign

Since the 1970s, through the generous contributions and support from our community each year, Tecumseh’s Blue-Gray Fund has provided financial aid and scholarship assistance to hundreds of qualified and deserving camper families. The Blue-Gray Fund raises around $175,000-$200,000 annually and is used exclusively for 30-40 full and partial scholarships for the families of boys based on their financial aid needs. With the vision of our Board of Trustees and Director, we are eager to expand our commitment to making the Tecumseh experience available to a broader number of potential campers. We are therefore embarking on a scholarship campaign to permanently endow this life-altering fund.

Thank you for considering supporting the future of Camp Tecumseh with your generosity towards The Blue-Gray Scholarship Endowment Campaign. These funds we raise will be an investment in our future and will ensure any deserving camper will be able to attend and fully experience all that Camp Tecumseh has to offer in perpetuity. Gifts can be pledged over a 5-year period or received as a one-time contribution. Please let us know in the notes that your gift will be towards the campaign.

For any questions or more information, please contact our Head of Community Impact, Billy Kampmann via communityimpact@camptecumseh.net or (908) 310-6134.

Support CT

Donate Online here

To donate by mail, please mail your check made payable to:

Camp Tecumseh,

975 Moultonborough Neck Rd.,

Moultonborough, NH 03254

To donate by phone, please call our Head of Community Impact, Billy Kampmann @ (908) 310-6134 

To make a donation via Venmo, please find us: @CampTecumseh

  1. A pledge is a promise made in writing and signed whereby the donor commits to make a gift to Tecumseh according to an agreed upon schedule. Pledges may be made in any amount, but they tend to be for larger gifts over several years. Often, the donor will make an initial payment at the time of executing the pledge agreement, while the remainder to be paid over the life of the pledge. 
  2. By using the Pledge Agreement below, you may choose to impact Tecumseh in the area of your choice. For more information, please contact our Head of Community Impact, Billy Kampmann @ (908) 310-6134 or communityimpact@camptecumseh.net.

Pledge Agreement – Blank

Please call our Treasurer, Jim Gribbell @ (617) 380-5633 and fill out form here:

Making Cash Wire Transfers to CT

A donor-advised fund is like a charitable investment account, for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations you care about (ex: Camp Tecumseh). When you contribute cash, securities, or other assets to a donor-advised fund at a sponsoring organization, generally a public charity, you can enjoy an immediate tax benefit. Those funds can then be invested for tax-free growth and you can recommend grants to thousands of IRS-qualified public charities. 

Through a donor-advised fund, the following assets can be accepted:

  • Cash equivalents: checks, wire transfers, or cash positions from a brokerage account
  • Publicly traded securities or mutual fund shares
  • Restricted stock
  • Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies 
  • Private equity and hedge fund interests 
  • Certain complex assets, such as privately held C-Corp and S-Corp shares 
  • How is a donor-advised fund different from a private foundation?
  • Unlike donor-advised funds, private foundations are separate legal entities, usually established by an individual, a family or corporation. Private foundations are subject to more stringent tax laws & regulations than public charities and are responsible for their own tax filing/recordkeeping. 

For more information, please contact your sponsoring organization or our Head of Community Impact, Billy Kampmann @ (908) 310-6134 or communityimpact@camptecumseh.net

  1. Publicly Traded Securities – Making a gift of appreciated securities can be more advantageous than giving cash as you can do so without incurring capital gains tax. Appreciated Securities Form
    • How it works: You transfer appreciated stocks, bonds or mutual fund shares you have owned for more than one year to Camp Tecumseh. Camp Tecumseh sells your securities immediately and uses the proceeds for its programs. The value of the securities is the average of the high and low on the date of the gift, in accordance with IRS regulations. 
    • Benefits: You receive an immediate income tax deduction for the fair market value of the securities on the date of transfer, no matter what you originally paid for them. You pay no capital gains tax on the transfer when the stock is sold.
    • Important Tips: Do not sell the stock first. Even though you may give us the proceeds as a gift, the IRS will impose capital gains tax on your sale, deleting the benefits of this arrangement.
  2. Closely Held Securities (Private Stock) – these types of gifts are not favored by Tecumseh and will only be accepted subject to prior approval of Tecumseh and only after a great amount of due diligence. Please see requirements below:
    • The donor must provide either a qualified appraisal in compliance with the IRS regulations or a copy of audited financial statements to determine the value of each share of stock. 
    • Tecumseh will not accept securities that are assessable or in any way could create a liability to Tecumseh; these securities may not be assigned to a “S” corporation stock and the company must be in Good Standing.
  3. For more information, please contact our Head of Community Impact, Billy Kampmann @ (908) 310-6134 or communityimpact@camptecumseh.net

Qualified Charitable Distribution from an IRA (IRA Rollover)

  • You must be 70½ years old or older
  • Gifts from $1 up to $100,000 per individual will count toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) for a given calendar year. (NOTE: RMDs have been suspended for 2020 through the CARES Act, yet voluntary QCDs may still be beneficial to you: please consult with your financial advisor to learn how the new law will affect your personal financial situation.)
  • Gifts from $1 up to $100,000 per individual will count toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) for a given calendar year. (NOTE: RMDs have been suspended for 2020 through the CARES Act, yet voluntary QCDs may still be beneficial to you: please consult with your financial advisor to learn how the new law will affect your personal financial situation.)

To make the gift, ask your IRA administrator to make a direct transfer or send a check, made payable to Camp Tecumseh. The funds must come directly from your account to the School to be tax free.

Other Retirement Plans

  • If you do not have a traditional IRA, other retirement pension or profit sharing plans, like a 401(k) or 403(b), may be able to be rolled into a traditional IRA and then transferred directly to Camp Tecumseh. Please contact your plan administrator to see if this is an option for your plan.

Letter to IRA Custodian – CT Logo

Thank you for considering to include Camp Tecumseh in your estate plans by becoming a member of The Alexander Grant Society. Your thoughtful planning will help build a bridge to Tecumseh’s future. We hope the following information will inspire you to make an impact at Tecumseh and help future generations of Tecumseh campers become tomorrow’s leaders–even as it helps you and your family gain financial and tax benefits. Planned gifts provide a variety of ways to support Tecumseh that benefit you, your love ones, and Tecumseh all at the same time. 

LOI – Estate Gift Form

Review the following information below and if you would like to receive more information on becoming a member of Tecumseh’s planned giving society, please contact our Head of Community Impact, Billy Kampmann @ (908) 310-6134 or communityimpact@camptecumseh.net

Adding Tecumseh to your will

      • A majority of planned gifts are in the form of a will, or simple bequest. If you wish to include Camp Tecumseh as part of your estate planning, you may do so by naming Camp Tecumseh as a beneficiary under your will or revocable living trust. However, if your present planning documents are already in place, you may wish to consider adding a brief codicil or amendment to either document.
      • Sample Language for a specific amount: I, _________, hereby give and bequeath to Camp Tecumseh, of Moultonborough, New Hampshire, the cash sum of $_____ dollars [or substitute specific shares of stock or other property], for such needs of the Camp as its Board of Trustees may determine.
      • Sample Language for a percentage amount: I, _________, hereby give, devise and bequeath to Camp Tecumseh, of Moultonborough, New Hampshire, an amount equivalent to _____ percent of the balance of my residuary estate, for such needs of the Camp as its Board of Trustees may determine.

Charitable Trusts

  1. Charitable Remainder Trusts
        • Details: You transfer cash, securities, or other appreciated property into a trust. The trust makes fixed annual payments to you or to beneficiaries you name. When the trust terminates, the remainder passes to Tecumseh to be used as you have directed.
        • Benefits: Receive income for life or a term of years in return for your gift.  Receive an immediate income tax deduction for a portion of your contribution. Pay no upfront capital gains tax on appreciated assets you donate. Your trust can meet personal or family needs that are tied to a specific time frame, such as tuition payments.

2. Charitable Lead Trusts (reduces size of taxable estate; keeps property in family, often with reduced tax gifts)

        • Details: You contribute cash, securities or other property to a trust. The trust makes fixed annual payments to Blair for a specified term of years. When the trust ends, the remaining principal goes to your heirs.
        • Benefits: You qualify for a gift tax deduction for the present value of the annuity payments to Camp Tecumseh. The annuity payments and the term of the trust can be specified in such a way so as to reduce or even eliminate the transfer taxes due when the principal reverts to your heirs. All appreciation that takes place in the trust goes tax-free to your heirs. You can use your available estate tax credit to further reduce taxes on transfers to your heirs. You can have the satisfaction of making a significant gift to Tecumseh now that reduces the taxes due on transfers to your heirs later.

Charitable Gift Annuity

  • Through a contract between Tecumseh and the donor, Tecumseh agrees to pay the donor, or other person named by the donor, a lifetime annuity in return for a gift of cash or publicly traded securities. The minimum amount of an annuity agreement shall be $50,000. Charitable gift annuities may be accepted by Tecumseh following close consultation with Tecumseh’s auditors, financial advisors, and legal counsel. For further information, please contact our Head of Community Impact, Billy Kampmann, at (908) 310-6134 or communityimpact@camptecumseh.net

Using your IRA to donate to Tecumseh now

      1. The popular IRA charitable rollover is now called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), and might be a good way for you to give to the Camp now. If you have a traditional IRA, you will probably be required to begin taking minimum distributions (RMD) at age 72. Income tax is due on those withdrawals unless the check comes directly to a qualified charity like Camp Tecumseh. If you plan to support a charity like Tecumseh, this might be a way to optimize your gift using pre-tax dollars.
      2. Requirements to give to Tecumseh tax-free from your IRA:
        • You must be 70½ years old or older
        • Gifts from $1 up to $100,000 per individual ($200,000 per couple) will count toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) for a given calendar year
        • The gift will not be included in your income for tax purposes (at the same time, it will not be available as an income tax charitable deduction)
        • The check from your IRA must be made payable to Camp Tecumseh
        • NOTE: The CARES Act, enacted on March 27, 2020, please consult with your financial advisor to learn how the new law will affect your personal financial situation

IRAs, Retirement Plans, & Life Insurance

      1. IRAs: The impact of income and estate taxes on your IRA make it a favorable asset to contribute to Camp Tecumseh through a beneficiary designation. Give us assets subject to double taxation, then leave more to your family.
        • How it Works: Name Camp Tecumseh as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or other qualified plan. Designate us to receive all or a portion of the balance of your plan through your plan administrator. The balance in your plan passes to Tecumseh after your death and/or your beneficiary’s death.
        • Details: Avoid the double taxation your retirement savings would face if you designated them to your heirs. Continue to take regular lifetime withdrawals. You have flexibility to change beneficiaries if your family’s needs change during your lifetime.
      2. Gift of Life Insurance: You don’t need a large estate to make a significant gift to Camp Tecumseh. Here is one way how you can leverage your dollars for a larger gift. 
        • How it works: You transfer ownership of a paid-up life insurance policy to Camp Tecumseh. Tecumseh elects to cash in the policy now or hold it. Or make Tecumseh a beneficiary of your life insurance policy.
        • Details: Make a gift using an asset that you and your family no longer need. Receive an income tax deduction. In some cases, you can use the cash value in your policy to fund a life-income gift.

Other Assets

  1. Real Estate: Camp Tecumseh will only accept real estate after performing a substantial amount of due diligence in which the donor must provide an appraisal of the property, real estate deed, real estate tax bill, plot plan, substantiation of the zoning status, and an environmental site assessment. Please contact our Head of Community Impact, Billy Kampmann @ (908) 310-6134 or communityimpact@camptecumseh.net for more information.
  2.  Tangible Personal Property: Camp Tecumseh will only accept tangible personal property after performing a substantial amount of due diligence. Please contact our Head of Community Impact, Billy Kampmann @ (908) 310-6134 or communityimpact@camptecumseh.net for more information.

The Blue-Gray Fund provides financial aid and scholarship assistance to qualified and deserving camper families. Each year, Camp Tecumseh seeks contributions to its annual Blue-Gray Fund campaign which enables dozens of campers to have the experience of a lifetime that a summer at Camp Tecumseh brings.

    1. Annual vs Endowed Scholarships: Named scholarships can honor an individual or family and can be established through an endowment or can be funded annually.
      • Annual Scholarship: An annual (non-endowed) scholarship is established when a donor chooses to fund a scholarship on a one-time basis or decides to fund a scholarship for a year, without committing for future years. All funds in the non-endowed scholarship account are distributed annually. The minimum to establish an annual scholarship is $7500.
      • Endowed Scholarship: A scholarship endowment creates a living legacy by helping current students and countless generations of future students. An endowed scholarship is a permanent fund whose principal remains invested at all times with the investment income being used to award scholarships. Tecumseh is responsible for overseeing the management of all endowments. An endowment can be built over a period of time. The minimum to establish an endowment is $50,000.

Honor a Past Staff Member – Current Endowed Scholarship Funds

    1. The Later Gator Award
      • In memory of Gary W. Gould. Gary loved his family, friends, the Bronx and sports because of the camaraderie each has the ability to create. This award will send young men from Bronx, NY to Camp Tecumseh for the summer and provide them an opportunity to build lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.LaterGatorAward.org
    2. The Cooper Family Scholarship Fund
      • Mr. Cooper was a coach, gentleman, mentor and friend. His service to the tennis program and relationships within the Tecumseh community exhibit the finest qualities our institution strives to cultivate. It is our goal to raise enough funds so that we are able to give a full scholarship to a camper every summer, beginning in 2020, with the Cooper Scholarship Fund. The fund was established this year with a generous primary donation from an alum.
    3. The Fraser Family Scholarship Fund
      • Description TBD
    4. The Glascott Family Scholarship Fund
      • Description TBD
    5. The Baruch Family Scholarship
      • The Baruch Family Scholarship Fund was established in 2018 in memory of Richard F. Baruch. Dick was a long time Tecumseh parent and board member. His two sons, Rich and David, cherish their memories and friendships from Tecumseh as campers and counselors and both have boys that look forward to attending camp in the coming years. David currently serves on the Board of Trustees. Dick also introduced Camp to many outside his immediate family. The Baruch family provides this scholarship in Dick’s memory to continue his legacy of making Camp available to a camper who would not otherwise be able to attend.
    6. DTMP Family Fund
      • The DTMP Fund was established by a Tecumseh family to give a deserving camper the opportunity to enjoy all that Camp has to offer.
    7. The Kain Family Scholarship Fund
      • In honor of the Kain Family’s deep appreciation for Camp Tecumseh, the Kain Family Scholarship Fund ensures support for generations of young men to attend Camp. The Fund is managed in Camp’s endowment and an annual distribution is made to the Blue-Gray Fund and awarded to a camper as the Kain Family Scholarship. When choosing a camper, the Blue-Gray Scholarship committee prioritizes a full session (7-weeks) camper for the Kain Scholarship.
    8. The Kurz Family Scholarship Fund 
      • The Kurz Family Scholarship Fund was established in 2000, several years before Camp Tecumseh celebrated its Centennial anniversary.  Since 2003, earned income from the Kurz Family Scholarship Fund has been transferred annually to the Blue Gray Fund and then awarded by the Scholarship Committee to help defray camp tuition expenses for one or more deserving campers with demonstrated economic need.  The Scholarship Committee ensures that recipients of the The Kurz Family Scholarship Fund are either an Intermediate or Senior camper with at least three years’ experience as a Tecumseh camper.  In addition, the recipient(s) must have a demonstrated commitment to longstanding Tecumseh athletic and theatrical traditions, reflected by superior sportsmanship, leadership, team play, and gift of talent. Lastly, the recipient(s) must have demonstrated positive Tecumseh personal qualities of decency, respect, cooperation, integrity, and always striving for excellence as a good citizen of a larger community. Having the Kurz Family Scholarship Fund continue in perpetuity is important for enabling Tecumseh to have the resources to attract future campers of diverse backgrounds.  Charley Kurz believes that Tecumseh’s recruitment efforts have benefitted recently with the establishment of several other named scholarship funds, thereby sustaining the vision of Tecumseh’s founders.  Now as an Emeritus Trustee, Charley invites alumni, parents, grandparents, staff members, and friends to consider supporting any of the camp’s scholarship funds when making a contribution to the Blue-Gray Fund; he also encourages all donors, as he has done, to include Tecumseh in their estate plans by becoming a member of the Alexander Grant Society.
    9. The Pancho Mazza Family Scholarship Fund
      •  The Pancho Mazza Family Scholarship Fund was established in 2009 in memory of Pancho Mazza. Pancho was a camper throughout the 80s and early 90s, winner of the Senior Tecumseh Boy award, a friend to all and loved his experience at Camp Tecumseh. The Mazza family has been instrumental in growing the Tecumseh population from Italy and Spain, and they are proud to provide this opportunity to a deserving camper in Pancho’s memory.
    10. The McGinley Family Scholarship Fund 
      • The McGinley Family Scholarship Fund was established to thank the Tecumseh community for the important lessons learned, lifelong friendships made and tremendous impact that the Camp has had on our family. The goal for the scholarship is to give back to Tecumseh by helping a deserving boy gain access to the community.
    11. The Merlini Family Scholarship Fund
      • The Merlini Family Scholarship Fund was established in 2013 in appreciation of the tremendous impact that Camp Tecumseh has had on three generations of Merlinis. Cornelius Merlini was the first to attend Camp Tecumseh in 1980 and was the recipient of a Blue-Gray Scholarship. Since then, 14 other Merlini’s have attended Camp Tecumseh as campers and counselors and many more are in the pipeline. The Merlini Family is proud to provide scholarship opportunity to deserving campers.
    12. The Roe Family Scholarship Fund
      • Since 1903, the Camp Tecumseh Founder’s motto has been “Making good boys better.” The Roe Family Scholarship Fund was founded in that spirit and is part of the Blue-Gray Fund, however it is distinct in that all scholarships will be awarded to improve the diversity of the population at camp, providing a lifelong experience for these boys that otherwise would not be possible. Richard was Director of Camp Tecumseh from October 1983-September 1995. The Roe family has a combined 60+ years of being part of Camp Tecumseh, and Richard’s grandson’s, Flynn, Luke, and Jack Roe are continuing the tradition as third generation campers having attended Tecumseh for many summers, and hopefully many more. To this day the boys who have benefited from these scholarships have made a huge addition to Camp Tecumseh, not only in sports, but also in sportsmanship and character with many going on to become counselors at Tecumseh. Their lives were changed so much for the better. The 2016 Sr. Tecumseh Boy was the recipient of a scholarship.
    13. The Stanley Fund
      • The Stanley Fund was established to help support camp’s mission by providing funding to aid its people, programs and facilities. Dick, Edward, George and Bob were brothers and the first generation of the four, and counting, Stanleys that have been through Camp Tecumseh over the years as campers, counselors, parents and trustees.
    14. The Talbot Family Scholarship Fund
      • The Talbot Family Scholarship Fund was established in 2015 to honor the legacy of our seventh Director, Jim Talbot, and his wife, Nina. Jim was the Director from 2000 – 2014, the third longest tenure of our Directors behind Mr. Grant and Mr. Munger! Nina was a tremendous leader behind the scenes, helping in many ways, especially with the Three Cs: Creamery, Clothing, and Calendar. The Talbot family is proud to provide this scholarship to a camper who would not otherwise have the opportunity.

Second Century Campaign

  1. Glossary of Terms
  2. Pledge Form
  3. Appreciated Securities/Stock Transfer Form
  4. Cash Wire Transfers Instructions
  5. Letter to IRA Custodian
  6. Letter of Intent – Estate Gift

Apply for Blue-Gray Scholarship

The Blue-Gray Fund is used exclusively for scholarships for the families of boys on the basis of financial need; in addition, the Blue-Gray Fund helps keep tuition expenses competitive with other overnight camps.  Tecumseh continues to raise over $150,000 annually for its Blue-Gray Fund. For further information on how to apply, please contact the Camp Director, Douglas Knight at dknight@camptecumseh.net or (610) 513-8564. Please provide the Director with a copy of the first two pages of the most recent tax return and a note providing pertinent family information requesting scholarship aid. 

Donate Today

Blue-Gray Fund Annual Report of Donors