Planned Giving
"As Christian stewards, we receive God's gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord."
Each generation of Catholics is given an important mission: how do we pass on the faith to the next generation? Foremost is evangelization - knowing our faith well and sharing it with others. As important, is the careful and prayerful sharing of our God-given resources. One of those resources - our assets - includes the things we have accumulated over our lifetime.
As Catholic Christians, we believe that our assets and our ability
to accumulate them are gifts from a loving, generous God. We have a
responsibility to use these gifts wisely and prudently - as well as to share
them with others - our family certainly, but also with those institutions
devoted to spreading God's reign on earth.
Bequests in a will, charitable gift annuities, trusts, insurance and gifts of appreciated stock are all planned gifts, or gifts that come after much thought and consultation with professional advisors. These important gifts will ensure that our lives will touch the lives that come after us to build the faith for generations to come.
Your Will
It is estimated that more than 50 percent of Americans do not have a Will. A Will allows you to control how your loved ones are provided for after your death; it can also create a lasting legacy of giving to your Church.
The easiest way to make a planned gift is to include a simple bequest in your
Will. If you already have a Will, please take time to review it to ensure it
meets your present needs, and fulfills your wishes. At any time a codicil
allows for an added provision or changes to the terms of the Will.
Your bequest to St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish may be expressed
in these words:
I give and bequeath the sum of $_______ to (St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church Society of Wayne County) for its general purposes (unrestricted) or for a specific named program (restricted).
OR
I give and bequeath ___________% of the remainder of my estate after
all debts, taxes, expenses and family bequests have been paid to (Parish Name)
for its general purposes (unrestricted) or for a specific named program
(restricted).
Other Ways for Individuals to Give through Estate Planning
| TYPE OF GIFT | BENEFIT TO PARISH | BENEFIT TO DONOR |
| Bequest in a Will | Bequest could be
held in perpetuity and invested to fund special needs. |
• Possible estate-tax deduction. • Perpetual-gift opportunity. |
| Charitable Gift Annuity |
Assets that are not used in
paying annuity |
• Guaranteed fixed income for life. • Portion of income is tax free. • Deferred tax deductions. |
| Insurance Policy | The parish received full face
value of policy upon death of the donor, or may receive certain surrender value prior to donor's death. |
• Income-tax deduction for value for the policy when transferred. • Premium payments may be deducted as gifts. • Possible income-tax & estate-tax deductions. |
| Charitable Remainder Trust | Upon the death of the donor last surviving income beneficiary, the remaining assets benefit the parish. |
• Variable or fixed income. • Deferred income if desired. • Possible income-tax and estate-tax deductions. |
| Charitable Lead Trust | Income for duration of trust
helps meet needs that exceed the capabilities of most parishes. |
• At end of trust period, principal returns to donor or other beneficiaries. • Principal can pass to others with little or no shrinkage. • Possible income-tax and estate-tax deductions. |
| Retirement/IRA | Significant gift upon the death
of the donor benefits the parish. |
• Estate-tax and income-tax |
| Appreciated Stock | Shares will be sold; the full
value of the assets will fund parish needs |
• Avoidance of capital-gain tax. • Income-tax deduction for full market value on date of gift. |