How Can I Give ?
Our gifts are life-changing to the life of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church and to all who we impact. They are what make possible the bounty that this Church offers. Your giving also comes back to you: in tax benefits, potential security for your retirement, and the satisfaction of making a difference in so many lives. St. Thomas' Church will gratefully accept your gift or provide you with more information on giving opportunities.
What is a Planned Gift?
Any gift made during a lifetime as part of ones estate, whether by will, a trust or other means.
What is the Ministry of Planned Giving?
It is a ministry of guidance and legacy stewardship that can assist you in end of life preparation and estate planning. It is also raising awareness about how our spiritual legacy is intertwined with our financial legacy.
Why Make a Planned Gift?
The church teaches that everything we have is a gift from God. Careful management of financial assets should include plans for orderly disposition at death. The legacy we leave for the church is a witness to our faith and will help ensure that the ministry of the church will continue after we are gone. When you name your church, the diocese, or an Episcopal institution as the beneficiary of a planned gift, typically those assets will be placed in an endowment fund of that congregation or institution. Earnings from endowments are used for mission and ministry beyond the normal operating budget, and in accordance with any specific designations you may choose to make.
What Kinds of Gifts Can Be Given?
There are numerous forms of permanent gifts, such as:
- A Will: Provides for family first, and then remembers the church and other charities in the form of a bequest.
- A Charitable Gift Annuity: Simplest form of planned gift. Provides donor with a fixed income stream for one or two lives with remainder to church at death.
- A Charitable Remainder Trust: Provides the donor with flexible options for life income, and then afterwards makes a major gift to the church.
- A Gift of Life Insurance: Names the church as beneficiary of an existing policy or a new policy.
- A Gift of Retirement Assets: Names the church as one of the primary beneficiaries of a retirement account.