David Haight ’88 Invests in the Future of MKA with a Bequest in His Estate Plan

As a financial advisor specializing in planned giving, David Haight ’88 understands the significant impact legacy giving can have at Montclair Kimberley Academy and for nonprofits in general. That’s why his estate plan includes a generous bequest to support the school and its future students.

David began at MKA as a middle school student and quickly became involved in theater arts, working on sets and lighting. He remained active in MKA theater throughout his time at the academy, gaining valuable experience that would later benefit his education. He fondly remembers several MKA teachers, including Mrs. Stark (English), Mr. Love (science), Judy Nesbit (math), and Michael Bergman (theater).

“I don’t know if I would be on the same path to success if it weren’t for my experiences at MKA,” David reflects. He also learned the importance of forming personal relationships with faculty at MKA, a skill that proved invaluable as he pursued his graduate degree in public and nonprofit management and policy at New York University.

“That skill has been crucial throughout my higher education and career, something I attribute to my time at MKA,” he adds.

David’s professional experience as a financial advisor and planned giving specialist underscores the significance of estate gifts for the future of his alma mater. He encourages his fellow alumni to consider making a planned gift to MKA, noting, “It’s important to give back. Working in higher ed, I saw how planned gifts made a major impact. So even if it’s a specific dollar amount or percentage of your estate, it passes something on to the next generation of MKA students.”