Planned Giving at St. Bart’s works with and beyond our congregation to help the parish receive resources that strengthen and extend our ministry. Carefully established, a plan for giving can also be of benefit to the giver’s family. Giving plans include remembering St. Bart’s in wills or as a life insurance beneficiary, life income gifts or gifts of real estate or other property. Some examples of life income gifts are Pooled Income Funds, Charitable Gift Annuities and Charitable Remainder Trusts. Each of these “living” gifts can provide current tax and income benefits for the giver, as well as an eventual bequest to St Bart’s. Further, such gifts do not require a large investment; for example, the Pooled Income Fund can be initiated with as little as $2500.00 in cash or appreciated stock.
Conversation about Planned Giving soon involves technical jargon and the intricacies of tax law. Advice in such important matters is best obtained from attorneys and financial professionals. In discussions of life income gifts, St. Bart’s can assist in working with the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF), which provides paperwork and answers to more general questions.
Incredibly, two thirds of Americans die without making a will. In these cases the state dictates the disposition of the worldly goods. Imagine what could be accomplished if each of us took the simple first step of Planned Giving and made a will that includes St. Bart’s. Over time the church’s resources for ministry would be tremendously increased and families would be greatly helped.
If you would like additional information about how a particular means of Planned Giving might assist you in both caring for your family and helping the church, please call the church office at (858) 487-2159. You can also speak with the senior warden or treasurer. If you would like to review some of these options on your own, the Episcopal Church Foundation website is very educational.