1. What is an endowment and why do we need one? 
Endowment funds are designed to provide long-term sustainability.  Through careful investing and consistent growth, our fund will provides a buffer against inflation and a permanent source of financial support for our ministry. Each year, we will use just a portion of our fund's earnings, leaving the principal plus unused earnings in the fund to continue to grow and support the parish for years to come. This fund is handled by the Catholic Foundation for Greater  Pittsburgh (CFGPitt).  

2. What is Legacy Giving? 
 Legacy giving is the establishment of a gift as part of an overall financial or estate plan. Gifts can be distributed immediately or upon the donor's death and are funded with assets rather than current income.  
Please scroll down for an informational flyer from CFGPitt on Legacy Giving.

3. Who is Catholic Foundation for Greater Pittsburgh (CFGPitt)?
 CFGPitt is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)3 foundation that supports Catholic causes throughout our area through the establishment of endowed  funds, providing consistent annual support to parish-specific and Foundation-wide causes. CFGPitt is committed to growing philanthropy according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. CFGPitt promotes charitable giving to sustain the legacy of the Church.

4. What are the benefits of Gift Planning?
Legacy giving allows you to convert property you might not consider as potential gifts into contributions, or give substantial gift that costs you nothing during your lifetime (through your will, trust, or beneficiary designation of a life insurance policy or retirement account).  

5. Is this the same as my offertory giving or Parish Appeal? 
No, any gift to the parish endowment would be above and beyond your regular giving. Regular offertory giving is needed to sustain the parish's daily operations. The Parish Appeal is a yearly campaign that helps cover the cost of central administration duties the diocese provides for all parishes. Any gift given to the parish endowment (both legacy gifts and donations) are an addition to regular giving.
6. Is this the same as Church Alive? 
No, legacy giving is different than Church Alive.  The funds given remain entirely with the parish and are available for unrestricted use.

7. How much do I have to give? 
You can give any amount.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Anyone - regardless of income or age - can make a legacy gift.
• If you are age 70 ½ or older, you can distribute up to $100,000 tax-free each year from your IRA account to benefit our parish. 
• Establishing a Charitable Gift Annuity can secure a fixed income for yourself and benefit the parish. 
• You can set up a donor-advised fund (charitable checkbook) to offer immediate tax benefits while simplifying your yearly charitable giving, including your generous gifts to All Saints Parish. 
• Legacy gifts may be offset by savings in federal or state taxes. 
• Legacy gifts often cost you nothing during your lifetime or come from your low-yielding assets. 
• Life insurance coverage that you no longer need can be gifted or designate the fund as beneficiary.
• There is a free, will-writing resource (FreeWill) offered to you by CFGPitt. A no-cost online estate planning tool which allows you to create a legal will in 20 minutes or less.
  
  CFGPitt