Giving

Supporting Lake Ridge

Invest in the Future of Lake Ridge

When you support Lake Ridge Academy, you're not just giving—you're sparking real change within our community. Your generosity has an immediate impact on our students and teachers, creating educational opportunities campuswide.

Every dollar donated matters. While tuition covers a portion of our operational costs, support from individuals like you truly bridges the gap.

As a small independent school, we rely on our donors—alumni, families, and friends—who share our vision of educating confident young people of integrity for a changing world. Your investment in Lake Ridge isn't just about money; it's about investing in the potential of our students and the future they're building.

Ways To Give

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  • Annual Fund

    Every Annual Fund gift is essential. The Annual Fund is the school’s largest and most important giving priority. Donations to the Annual Fund go to immediate operational support, meaning that the money is used to support that year’s classes, programs, clubs, and sports. Every student and teacher benefits from the Annual Fund, and donors can direct their Annual Fund donation to a cause that matters most to them. 

  • SGO Tax Credit

    Through the Ohio Association of Independent Schools Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO), taxpayers can receive credit on their Ohio income tax returns for contributions made to Lake Ridge Academy. There is virtually no cost to you — you are simply redirecting a portion of the state tax you would be required to pay anyway! To take advantage of the SGO program, you must: 1) have Ohio state tax liability (found on Ohio IT 1040, line 8c), 2) make your contribution through the OAIS SGO site here, and 3) not exceed the maximum credit amount (for 2023 single taxpayers, the maximum is $750; for joint filers, $1500).

  • Endowment

    Donations to the Lake Ridge Academy endowment provide stability and long-term financial growth. The school’s endowment supports our mission in perpetuity. While the Annual Fund supports the school today, donations to the endowment support the school’s future.

  • Planned Giving

    Though it costs you nothing now, including Lake Ridge Academy in your planned giving is a powerful way to leave a lasting legacy. With testamentary gifts, donors can make gifts through a will or trust, beneficiary designations on financial accounts or life insurance policies, or revocable bequests. Through life income gifts like charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, and gift annuities, donors can plan a gift while ensuring income for themselves and their loved ones. To learn more about making your gift last a lifetime, first meet with your financial professional or estate planner, then contact Dr. Megan Zahler at zahlerm@lakeridgeacademy.org.

Ready To Make A Difference?

We invite you to explore the many rewarding ways to give back to Lake Ridge Academy. Contact our Advancement team today to discuss your giving options and invest in the future of our exceptional school!

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  • All Gifts are Tax-Deductible

    All gifts to Lake Ridge Academy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, are tax-deductible.

  • Receipt of Contribution

    You'll receive a receipt for each contribution and a year-end summary for tax purposes.

  • Every Gift Fuels Excellence

    Every gift, regardless of size, fuels the excellence that defines Lake Ridge Academy.

Meet the Advancement Team

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Additional Information

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  • Checks

    Outright gifts by check should be made payable to “Lake Ridge Academy.” If needed, please indicate your gift's designation in the check's memo section. If nothing is indicated, we will use it where your gift is needed most.

  • Online

    Lake Ridge Academy accepts online donations through Google Pay, Apple Pay, Mastercard, Visa, AmEx, and Discover.

  • Stock

    Donors making a gift with appreciated securities can avoid capital gains tax while still receiving a full charitable deduction.

  • IRA Distributions

    Donors who are 70½ may direct required IRA distributions to Lake Ridge Academy. While the donor does not earn a charitable deduction for these direct transfers, the distribution can reduce the donor's income tax if the transfer is made directly from a donor's financial institution to Lake Ridge Academy.

  • Gifts in Kind

    Gift cards, vacation home access, new merchandise, and many other kinds of items can be donated to the auction. Your old car or boat can also be given to the school, for which you will receive a charitable donation based on the fair market value of the donated item.

  • Homes

    Your personal residence, second home, or vacation home can be used to make a significant gift to the school, and you can still live there for as long as you want. By transferring ownership of your primary or vacation residence to Lake Ridge Academy, you can earn a charitable deduction and still retain the rights to the property.

  • Life Insurance

    Donors who have fully paid whole life insurance policies that are no longer needed can receive a charitable deduction for the policy's cash value.

  • Life Income Gifts

    Donors who wish to make a future gift to the school may consider a charitable gift annuity or trust vehicle that will benefit the school and provide the donor with a life income in retirement or benefit another family member.

  • Pledges

    If you would like to make a gift to Lake Ridge but want to fulfill your commitment another time, simply email the Advancement Team and let us know your gift intentions. Pledges can be fulfilled over months or years and allow you to be recognized as a participating donor while making a gift when the timing is better for you. Donors who fulfill their commitments over time can often make a more significant gift than they thought possible, which allows them to have a bigger impact on our students.
37501 Center Ridge Road
North Ridgeville, OH 44039
Tel: (440) 327-1175
Fax: (440) 327-3641
Lake Ridge Academy is the only independent college preparatory school on Cleveland's west side. Our co-educational curriculum offers a unique blend of academics, extracurricular activities, and a focus on character development, all on our beautiful 93-acre campus. With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, our devoted faculty provides personalized attention to help every student thrive.