Josie Hart Makes Multiple Planned Gifts to Ensure Her Support for Future Students

Josephine “Josie” M. Hart ’74 fondly recalls the “educational exploration trips” her family took when she was young. “One afternoon we went to Northfield School for Girls,” she says, “and I was just taken by the campus. It was so captivating. It seemed idyllic. My father challenged me that if I could get in, I could attend!”

Josie thrived at the school (which merged with Mount Hermon during her time there), participating in student government, yearbook, and athletics, earning five varsity letters. In gratitude for her education and experiences, she has ensured that her support of NMH extends beyond her lifetime through multiple planned gifts.

“My first gift was an insurance policy,” Josie says. “I could give more through a planned gift than I could from my income at the time. As my resources and capacity have grown, I’ve added to my planned gift,” including additional funds through a trust and retirement plans.

Now in her 14th year as a board member, Josie has served on many committees, hosted board and alumni receptions, and served as co-chair for reunion class giving. She is most proud of her work on the Northfield Stewardship and the Strategic Planning committees.

“My primary focus is on financial aid and creating opportunities for continued access to an NMH education,” says Josie, who has contributed to two previous capital campaigns and recently agreed to serve as the planned giving chair for the current campaign for Northfield Mount Hermon. She is particularly excited about the campaign’s goal to increase scholarship aid at NMH.

Josie hopes her philanthropy will inspire generosity in others. “I strongly believe it is important to support the current as well as long-term needs,” she concludes. “It is also important to maintain a relevancy to make sure the Moody legacy of providing access to an outstanding educational experience continues.”