Endowment

Past generations of worshippers at Church of the Good Shepherd have, through bequests, memorials, and special gifts, provided us with their tangible legacy of a wonderful place to know God and make his Word known.

The Foundation’s goal is to continue to build our endowment each year through pledges in order to:

• launch and expand Church of the Good Shepherd programs,
• improve and build facilities
• support operating budgets, if necessary.

As of December 31, 2013, the Foundation assets totaled approximately $281,000. This constitutes an increase in value for the year of approximately 8% or $36,000.

Directors have authorized $8,000 for distribution to the church in 2014 to fund a capital campaign for needed facility improvements as well as a commitment to match parishioner pledges in 2014 for that campaign, should it be approved by the Vestry, of up to an additional $8,000.

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 Church of the Good Shepherd after your death for future generations of worshippers at Church of the Good Shepherd.

• 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:

• A 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 remainder 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.

Administration of the Foundation:

The Board of Directors of the Church of the Good Shepherd Foundation manages the Endowment.  Three Directors are appointed by the Vestry.  These Directors currently are:  Don Kennedy, Vicki Cutting and Tom Hedrick.  Earl Mahan, Rector, and Joanne Owen, Treasurer of the Church, also serve as Directors by virtue of their positions.  The Foundation funds are currently held in the Diocesan Investment Trust and invested according to general guidelines established by the Directors.

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 20:35b

“That which we have heard and known, and what our forefathers have told us, we will not hide from their children.  We will recount to generations to come the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the Lord, and the wonderful works he has done. … That the generations to come might know, and the children yet unborn; that they in their turn might tell it to their children; … Psalm 78:3-4,6