Greenhills Grad Helps Secure the Future with Largest-Ever Planned Gift to the School

Geoff Heekin ’83 has made a powerful investment in Greenhills School’s future with the ownership transfer of his life insurance policy — the largest planned gift in school history.

A long-time Greenhills supporter and a former trustee, Heekin said the gift reflects his deep appreciation for the role the school played in his personal development, and his desire to honor the formative investment its faculty made in him roughly four decades ago. 

“As I have moved along the path of life, I have become increasingly aware that it was the foundation provided to me by my parents and the good fortune of attending Greenhills that enabled me to prosper in all ways,” he said, noting his particular appreciation for the diversity of possibilities Greenhills provided for him to grow as a student, an athlete and on the stage. “As my appreciation for all that Greenhills did for me grew, I became convinced that I wanted to recognize Greenhills in a material and impactful manner.”

And he did.

Heekin’s gift of his $1.5 million policy includes resources to pay five years of policy premiums. At the time of the transfer last fall, the policy had a cash surrender value of more than $130,000. With this gift, Heekin joins the school’s 1968 Society: a small, but growing group of donors who have chosen to support the school through estate bequests or gift commitments that will be realized by Greenhills in the years ahead.

“Making an estate planning-based gift complements the annual support I had given and better represents the life-changing, lasting impact that Greenhills bestowed on me,” Heekin said. “By transferring ownership of my life insurance policy, I believe I am able to provide Greenhills with a line of sight around (current) financial resources for a more long-term orientation.” 

“I wanted to make sure my appreciation for Greenhills was shown not just for today, but rather I wanted to make a large investment in tomorrow’s Greenhills.” 

Head of School Peter Fayroian said Heekin’s gift provides a remarkable example of the ways grateful Greenhills alumni shape the future of the school.

“As Greenhills matures, philanthropic alumni, like Geoff Heekin, ensure the promise of our school for years to come,” he said. “We are so grateful for Geoff’s incredibly generous and forward-thinking contribution to our school. It speaks volumes, not only about what Greenhills and our amazing faculty have accomplished over the years, but what this special place will continue to do for students well into the future.”

To learn more about planning giving and the 1968 Society, please contact Director of Advancement Paul Gargaro at pgargaro@greenhillsschool.org.