Past ESD Board Chair,
Ken Schnitzer: Endowment Fund x Planned Gift = Impact
March 2, 2026
Over ten years ago, as ESD Board Chair and ESD parent, Ken Schnitzer made a lead gift to the Together, We Will campaign, establishing The Schnitzer Family Endowment. Since then, the school has benefitted each year from the family's endowment fund and will now continue to benefit long into the future, with added impact.
Taking a lead once again by contributing to the current endowment campaign, Our Time to Soar, Mr. Schnitzer included The Episcopal School of Dallas in his estate plans. As a beneficiary, ESD will receive proceeds that will add directly to The Schnitzer Family Endowment. Plans to add to an existing endowment fund, well into the future, allow the current fund to continue serving its originally intended purpose - in this case, to provide unrestricted funds each year to be used at the discretion of ESD leadership - but now with an expected more than doubling of the fund’s impact.
A deep-rooted connection between the Schnitzer family and ESD began decades ago.
“When my daughter was a student here, I saw firsthand the transformative power of devoted faculty and a robust academic environment,” recalls Mr. Schnitzer. “The dedication of the teachers and the sense of community are what set ESD apart."
The appreciation quickly translated into deep involvement. Mr. Schnitzer dedicated 10 years of service to the Board of Trustees, serving a pivotal term as Board Chair from 2013 to 2015. During his tenure as Chair, he helped guide the school through the selection and installation of the second Head of School, Meredyth M. Cole; the implementation of the visionary 10-year strategic plan, ESD Tomorrow; and oversaw the completion and board approval of master planning for the Merrell Road Campus.
Hobson Family Head of School, Dave Baad, emphasized the profound impact of this commitment on the school’s long-term health.
“We are grateful for Ken’s extraordinary vision and generosity,” said Baad. “As a former Board Chair, Ken understands the imperative of long-term financial health. This planned gift will leave an enduring imprint on our school, strengthening our foundation for generations of future students and providing a powerful example of philanthropic leadership."
The example of Mr. Schnitzer’s philanthropy - both past and future - is a testament to the power of planned giving. His investment ensures that ESD will continue preparing students for college and significant achievement by igniting lives of purpose for generations to come.
Chief Advancement Officer Denis Stokes comments, “Permanent endowment funds add a measure of financial security to ESD’s future but serve, too, as a legacy for each family. Once established, endowment funds can be added to at any time and in a number of ways, with a planned gift being a wonderful way to do so. How can a school not be grateful for being so well thought of to be included in a family’s estate plans? We hope that it is an example that others will consider.”
To learn more about how you can support The Episcopal School of Dallas through a planned gift, such as a bequest or charitable annuity, please contact the Office of Advancement.
