Providing a spark and calling others to action
Jill Burruss hopes her recent gift, made via appreciated securities, inspires students to pursue science and motivates others to give to W&M's Batten School & VIMS
Jill Burruss recently documented a $50,000 gift to William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS through appreciated securities, an act of generosity that honors her late husband, Dr. Robert “Bob” Burruss, and their shared belief in the transformative power of science education. By establishing the High School Marine Science Career Exploration Fund (6112), Jill intends to encourage both students and those who might make similar gifts.
“Bob and I ended up in science because we had been encouraged from a very early age via educational programs, so I hope this gift provides a new generation with that spark, that reassurance and that delight,” she said. “And I hope the larger community sees that this is important, it’s easy to do and it’s a way that we can all make an impact, no matter the amount.”
Inspiring students to share a love for science
For the Burruss family, the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS has long been a special place of research and learning. The Catlett-Burruss Research and Education Laboratory on campus bears Robert’s family name, but the connections run even deeper.
Robert spent childhood summers in the area before dedicating his career to science, culminating in over three decades as a research scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey. Robert was also a Water Steward within the James City County/Williamsburg Master Gardener program. Jill, meanwhile, grew up with a passion for marine science before becoming a lifelong educator, including time as a professor at W&M before working for the Department of Defense.
“We often talked about how educational programs inspired our interest in science,” Jill reflected, “so we understand the importance of encouraging that and helping students find a like-minded community. The Batten School & VIMS is the place where you can talk about your passions, do really neat experiments and expand your worldview so significantly that it will bolster your belief in yourself and your continuation in the field.”
The new fund is designed to expand hands-on field and lab experiences for adolescents with the goal of fostering early interest in marine science careers and building a pipeline of skilled professionals committed to serving coastal communities and environments.
“Bob and I always loved the ocean, and we discussed how science was taking a hit at the moment and some schools were cutting their science programming,” Jill said. “My desire is that this keeps students going regardless of what’s happening in the world around them.”
That’s a hope shared by Sarah Nuss Ph.D. ’24, director of the Office of Outreach & Engagement at the Batten School & VIMS. “We are extremely grateful for additional support for high school educational programming from Jill Burruss,” she said. “Through this gift, we plan to increase offerings available to high school students, including expanding students’ understanding of career opportunities within marine science.”
Appreciated securities are a powerful philanthropic tool
Appreciated securities are investment assets, such as stocks, bonds or mutual funds, that have increased in value since their original purchase. The profits on these assets are unrealized until sold, at which point they become a taxable capital gain. However, those taxes can be avoided if the assets are donated directly to a qualifying charitable organization. This allows the donor to make a larger donation than they could with cash while claiming an income tax deduction for the full market value of the securities.
Jill’s decision to make a gift via appreciated securities came after careful consultation. In the wake of Robert’s passing, she worked with her attorney and financial advisors to consolidate accounts and responsibly plan her philanthropy. Appreciated securities offered both flexibility and simplicity, allowing Jill to make a meaningful gift while thoughtfully managing her financial future.
Richard Lafferty, retired certified financial planner and current treasurer of the VIMS Foundation Board, emphasized why this approach can often be the best avenue for making a gift.
“Over a 47-year career advising families and managing charitable gift accounts for major educational institutions, I saw firsthand that one of the smartest ways to give is through appreciated securities,” he said. “Shares held for twenty or thirty years can accumulate such significant gains that the client’s true cost of the donation is far outweighed by the capital gains tax avoided — which, for high-income individuals, can be as high as 23.8% of the gain.”
For Jill, the experience of working with the Batten School & VIMS Office of Advancement made the process seamless. “It’s been an absolute pleasure,” she said. “They’ve been great to work with and everybody’s been so nice in terms of getting me the information that I need to try to make a decision about things while I’m in the midst of all the other chaos of life.”
Encouraging others to join the momentum
In addition to inspiring students, it’s Jill’s wish that others are motivated to join her in supporting the Batten School & VIMS. “It doesn't have to be a large amount; it can be a few thousand dollars or a few hundred dollars. Even if you can only give something to support an intern for one summer, you make a difference. We need to stand up for what is important, what needs to be protected, what needs to be encouraged and continued. This is something we can all do as the common man and woman.”
For those considering making gifts via appreciated securities, “the best approach is to consult with your CPA or tax advisor to get their advice on the most tax efficient way to make gifts,” said Lafferty. “For appreciated securities, do so well in advance, select low cost-basis shares and transfer the securities in kind directly to the institution. When you give the appreciated securities to the entity and let them sell it, the organization recognizes the gain and you realize the full tax-saving benefit — maximizing both your philanthropic impact and your financial efficiency.”
Ultimately, Jill's contribution is more than philanthropy; it’s a personal tribute to her late husband. “I think Bob would smile to see this gift,” she said. “He would be pleased that it’s something for the local community and that it can have ripple effects across the larger Chesapeake Bay area. And I’m happy as well; the Batten School & VIMS is already listed in our trust and wills, but this lets me do something to honor Bob now.”
If you would like more information about making a gift through appreciated securities or any other means, please contact the Advancement Office at 804-684-7099.