Planting Shade Trees: The Chesson Family’s Legacy Gift
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Margaret and Earl Chesson—parents of four Durham Academy alumni—named DA the owner and beneficiary of a $3 million whole life insurance policy, one of the largest planned gifts in the school’s history. Their extraordinary generosity will establish The Chesson Family Scholarship Endowment Fund, providing lasting support for need-based financial aid.
“While our children have long since graduated, DA remains a special place for our family,” Margaret shared. “We wanted to create something lasting that ensures others can have the same transformative experiences our children did.”
Earl, who built his career advising families on wealth transfer and philanthropy, added, “A life insurance policy allows us to multiply our giving—creating about $80 of endowment for every $1 of annual donation.”
Head of School Michael Ulku-Steiner called the gift “the very definition of philanthropy.” Once realized, the fund will generate more than $130,000 annually, expanding access to a DA education and enriching the school community for generations to come.
“We like to think of it as planting shade trees we’ll never sit under,” Earl said.
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