Legacy Giving

When you think about the future, do you automatically picture Saints James and Andrew (SsJA) as the same thriving community of faith it is today? Does it continue on after you are gone? If our yearly pledge of support ends when we die, what keeps SsJA going apart from new membership? One important way to ensure the future of SsJA is to plan a gift that can be accessed after you are gone. Much like you care for the well being of your children by making them beneficiaries of your estate, you can provide for SsJA by adding us to your estate planning, leaving a legacy of financial support for generations. How great would it be to insure the survival of our outreach ministries? What would it mean to not only ensure the future of your children but also of your beloved church family?

What is legacy giving? In a nutshell, planned or legacy giving is a donor's intention to contribute a major gift to an organization, beyond their lifetime. So, unlike an annual gift (an outright gift made for current use), a planned gift is for the future. Essentially, you can make arrangements for planned gifts in the present but they are actually doled out at a later date. Additionally, the major gifts contributed by you can be made as a part of your financial or estate plans.

So by definition, planned giving is not limited by your current wealth. Unlike the value of what you contribute on a recurring basis, planned giving enables you to contribute gifts that you wouldn’t ordinarily be able to make. The gifts donated end up being larger and aren’t dependent on one’s regular income. That’s why most planned gifts  take the form of a beneficiary designation, life insurance, equity, or real estate holdings (among others). Thus, even if you consistently contributed small gifts, your planned gifts can be of a much higher value.

Planned gifts offer the donor the satisfaction of giving a legacy of philanthropic support to an organization close to their heart. Planned gifts are not always realized immediately; therefore, your gift can help ensure the future health of the organization. Oftentimes it is not possible to give an organization a large direct gift. Planned gifts allow the opportunity to support your charitable organization in a meaningful way without giving a large outright gift. Planned gifts can also offer substantial tax savings, reduce income tax and avoid capital gains tax. Giving a planned gift allows part of your estate to avoid the expensive and sometimes arduous probate process. 

Through planned giving, you can leave a legacy behind after you pass. Whether leaving a bequest as a tribute to a family member or creating a legacy for your faith community to continue its good work, you can make a lasting impact on a cause that’s important to you.

At James and Andrew, we can offer you several ways to make a planned gift. We have welcomed Princy Stotz to the Stewardship Team as our Legacy Giving Advisor; she is knowledgeable about planned giving options and so can answer questions and make your planning even easier. The team has also been busy creating a new informational brochure for your use when you are ready to start planning for the future. We hope you will take a look at our brochure and call on Princy to explain in more detail the exciting ways we have available to keep The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew in the lives of our families and friends for many years to come.
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Diane Kurkulonis, Stewardship Chair
Princy Stotz, Con Trowbridge, Erica Burns, Elizabeth Keitel, Stewardship Team

Legacy Giving Trifold