Past generations of worshippers at Good Shepherd through bequests, memorials, and special gifts have provided us with their tangible legacy of a wonderful place to know God and make his Word known.
Our goal remains to continue to build our endowment each year through pledges in order to:
- launch and expand Good Shepherd programs,
- improve and build facilities,
- and to support operating budgets, if necessary.
As of December 31, 2012, the Endowment was $195,000. This was an increase in value for the year of 11% or $20,000.
Directors have authorized $8,000.00 for distribution to the church “as needed” from time to time during 2013 to assist in respect to the operating budget deficit.
Here is how you can contribute to the growth of the Endowment
- Bequests: Making a Bequest to the Church of the Good Shepherd Foundation is easy. Most Wills and Revocable Trusts these days provide that the settler can from time to time by a signed statement referring to the Will or Trust designate one or more charities to receive specific amounts or percentages of the estate at death. So just sign a written statement designating the Church of the Good Shepherd Foundation, 1166 South Mason Road, Town & Country, Missouri 63131 to receive a Bequest from your estate. Then append the statement to your Will or Trust and advise the Foundation of your Bequest. If you do not have a Will or Revocable Trust, you should have one prepared. Otherwise, your assets at death will be disposed of as provided by state law rather than as you may desire. You can make a bequest now without costing you money today that will provide continued support to Good Shepherd after your death for future generations of worshippers at Good Shepherd. If 50 parishioners made an average bequest of $7,000, over time we would have a $500,000 Endowment.
- Other types of gifts: There are many ways in addition to Bequests to contribute to the growth of the Foundation, with possible substantial tax savings, such as:
- Gift of Appreciated securities
- Designation of the Foundation as a beneficiary of your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or 401K plan
- Creation of a Charitable Gift Annuity to provide payments to Donor for life with balance of funds then paid to the Foundation
- Creation of charitable remainder trust to pay income to Donor and/or other designees for life, with reminder interest then paid to the Foundation
- Establishment of a charitable lead trust, with the Foundation receiving income for the principal of the trust for the Donor’s life or other designated period of time with others, such as the Donor’s family, receiving income or principal from the trust thereafter
- Gift of property that you no longer need such as life insurance policies or real estate
- Gift of Memorial or Tribute contributions
For further information on types of gifts and their potentially very valuable tax benefits, go to the website of the Episcopal Church Foundation Resource Library, then “Planned Giving Brochures and Booklets”, and then on a booklet and brochure of interest, such as “Planned Giving”, “Charitable Gift Annuities”, “Charitable Remainder Trusts”, “Wills”, or “Preparing for End of Life”. Please also feel free to contact any Director of the Foundation, or its Secretary, John Sant.
Administration of the Foundation:
The Board of Directors of the Church of the Good Shepherd Foundation manages the Endowment. Three Directors are elected by the Vestry to serve not more than two three year staggered terms. These Directors currently are: Gordon Wilson (Chair), Don Kennedy (Vice Chair) and Tom Hedrick (Investment Officer) who were elected by the Vestry. Pamela Dolan, Rector and Joanne Owen, Treasurer of the Church also serve as Directors by virtue of their positions. The Endowment Funds are currently held in the Diocesan Investment Trust and invested according to general guidelines established by the Directors. Currently, our investment policy is 60% equities and 40% fixed income which is invested through the Diocesan Investment Trust.
Endowment funds may only be used for Church purposes. The Vestry must approve and written notice must be given to the Parish before any disbursement of the larger of $10,000 or 10% of the value of the Endowment funds may be made by the Foundation Directors.
Our Christian Duty
“…duty…of all persons to make wills…not neglecting, if they are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses.” The Book of Common Prayer, page 445.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive”. Acts 20-20-53b
“We have heard them, we know them; our ancestors have recited them to us…we recite them to the next generation. The praiseworthy and mighty deeds of the Lord, the wonders that he performed…That the next generation might come to know children yet born. In turn they were to recite them to their children. Psalm 78:3, 4.6.