The endowment fund was established by the Vestry to enable the parish to fulfill its mission more completely.  The purpose of the endowment fund is to develop and enhance Parish properties and ministries beyond what is possible through annual operating contributions.  It is the intent of the Vestry and Trustees that expenditures will be for purposes other than general operating expenses.

WHY PLANNED GIVING

Historically, our parish has been long on talent part of stewardship, but short on treasure.  The willingness to work and weather the financial storms together has added immeasurably to the closeness of our parish family.  Since the parish is a relatively new one by many Episcopal Church standards, there is no "old money" to fund large endowments, and the brunt of financial support has come from young middle class families.  As we have exceeded a half century of life, we look to the future and the possibilities of expanding our mission through a Planned Giving Program.  This fact, and good spiritual leadership over the years, brought parishioners together in working for a common goal of spreading God’s kingdom from this “holy hill in southeast Lexington”.

Since there is no "old money" to fund a large endowment it is the hope that Planned Giving will help St. Michael’s grow in the years ahead.  While Planned Giving offers no immediate big money, it will allow us to look to the future to build a better St. Michael’s to carry on God’s work in the local and worldwide community.

PLANNED GIVING GOALS

1. To strengthen St. Michael’s service.
2. To educate parishioners about gift planning with its place and benefits for their lives and the life of the Church.
3. To encourage the clergy, leaders and members of the congregation to make planned gifts and to facilitate the making of gifts.
4. To systematically increase the financial resources available to St. Michael’s for the work of God in the world.

HOW TO GIVE

PLANNED GIVING refers to making a gift of assets that normally entails more planning and consideration than merely writing a check out of current income.  Such a gift can be in any form, for any purpose, and given either currently or on a deferred basis.  The donor’s charitable intentions are carried out while at the time supporting the donor’s long term financial interests.

BASIC WAYS OF MAKING A PLANNED GIFT

GIFT OF PROPERTY

• Allowing assets such as cash, securities, objects of value, and real estate to be transferred to St. Michael’s, often with significant tax advantages:  A life estate allows a donor to give a home to the charity while retaining the use of it for life.

BEQUEST

• Providing for loved ones, St. Michael’s, and others through a provision in the donor’s will or living trust.

LIFE INSURANCE

• Making a large gift with very little cost by:
  • giving an existing policy to St. Michael’s;
  • purchasing a new policy and giving it to St. Michael’s;
  • designating St. Michael’s as a beneficiary of a policy.

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST

• Allowing a donor to receive income for life while making a major gift to St. Michael’s through:
  • a unitrust where the income may vary annually;
  • an annuity trust where the income never changes.
• For smaller gifts a POLLED INCOME FUND or GIFT ANNUITY offers similar features and benefits.

REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST

• Allows a gift of assets to be made now and retrieve those assets later if it becomes necessary.

CHARITABLE LEAD TRUST

• Allowing a donor to give income to St. Michael’s for a period of years but have the assets later returned to a family member or other beneficiary.

MEMORIALIZE A LOVED ONE

• All of the mechanisms mentioned above can include a loving tribute to a friend or loved one in whose name the gift is made.

HOW TO START

Submit this card to let us know your interests about Planned Giving or that you have included us in Your Plan or contact one of the Trustees.

• Joseph McCauley (2009-2011)
• Tripp Griesinger (2011-2012)
• Duncan Hart (2011-2013; vice chairperson)
• Charlie Shanks (Appointed - 2011; chairperson)
• Jeanie Hartman (Appointed - 2011; scribe)
• Steve Thurn (Ex-Officio, Treasurer)
• Mother Laurie Brock (Ex-Officio, Rector)

For further information about planned giving you may contact one of the trustees or send an email to Endowment@Saint-Michaels.org.