Catholic Philanthropy

“Gratitude flows from the recognition that who we are and what we have are gifts to be received and shared.”

– Fr. HENRI J.M. NOUWEN

Creating a Legacy of Faith, Family and Future

What will be your true legacy? At all stages in your life, the Catholic Community Foundation can help you find a meaningful way to benefit others through your faithfulness and generosity while helping you to undertake responsible financial planning for your family and estate.

Legacy giving is more possible than you think. Contrary to popular belief, legacy giving is not only for those with wealth — as there are many ways to give and leave a legacy. The Catholic Community Foundation accepts gifts of cash, life insurance policies or proceeds, stocks or mutual funds, bequests, assignments of mineral/royalty interests and distributions from retirement plan assets. All gifts may be tax deductible to the extent of the law and your personal tax situation. We offer Catholic donors great flexibility in how to structure their support for the Catholic Church or for the particular institution, parish or ministry of their choice.

Ways of Giving – Passing on the Gift of Faith

There are many ways in which the “giving faithful” can fulfill their stewardship responsibilities. Working with the Catholic Community Foundation, here are some tax deductible options:

Unrestricted Gift to an Existing Fund – Unrestricted gifts, which can be made in any amount, will be directed by the Board of Trustees to help sustain Catholic ministries and programs and for general operating purposes as needed.

Restricted Gift to Establish a New Fund – Restricted gifts, which can be made in any amount over $25,000, will be held and managed for the specific purpose designated by the donor and for no other purpose. Restricted gifts are protected by virtue of their contract.

Gift to an Existing Fund – This is a quick and easy way to put your gift to work right away. Your gift to an existing fund can be made in any amount. Click here to view a list of ministries for your consideration.

Establish an Endowment Fund – A donor/family can establish a permanent endowment for a specific purpose as defined in the Endowment Agreement and managed by the Foundation in perpetuity. The fund, which can be named for the specific ministry or in honor of a family or person, can be in the amount of $10,000 or more. A new Endowment that benefits a Catholic parish may be started in the amount of $5,000 or more.  The Foundation provides perpetual management for the growth and protection of the funds. Click here for a current list of Endowment Funds

Donor Advised Fund – A donor/family can establish a donor advised fund in their name (or in someone else’s name or anonymously) in any amount over $25,000. The fund would be managed under the certain terms and conditions as outlined in the donor agreement. Donors may receive a charitable tax deduction and then can either recommend the recipient(s) of the earnings or give the foundation’s Board of Trustees authority to determine which Catholic ministries are most in need of assistance.

Deferred Gift (planned giving) – The Catholic Community Foundation offers an array of deferred and planned giving options depending upon the donor’s particular circumstances, needs, and wishes. Some of these options would be a bequest included in your Last Will and Testament, various types of life insurance trusts, an assignment of an existing life insurance policy or a charitable gift annuity. Click here for more details on planned giving options

 If you have an interest in having the Catholic Community Foundation help you design a program that best meets your needs and goals, please contact Alison Cochrane, CEO/President, Catholic Community Foundation at 210-732-2157 or at [email protected].