By Mary Quilici Aumack
I grew up in Saint Justin Parish. That community provided a spiritual, educational and social “center” for my family. My parents were involved in everything, and deeply grateful for this “village” that they viewed as helping them raise their family.
The motto of the Catholic Community Foundation of Santa Clara is “Providing FOREVER VALUE through Endowments and Donor Advised Funds.”
One key step on the path to FOREVER VALUE is the establishment of a parish endowment. An endowment is a permanent fund that distributes between 3% and 5% of the balance each year to support the ministry of the parish.
Through the generosity of one donor, the Foundation has announced a $1 million match for Parish Endowments.
The match will be available from now until June 30, 2017 for parish endowments set up with the Foundation. Here are the basics:
Endowments achieving a balance of $20,000 or more by June 30, 2017, will receive a matching grant of $20,000.
Endowments achieving a balance of less than $20,000 by June 30, 2017, will receive a grant of 50% of the balance.
The parish may elect to receive an annual distribution from the endowment when the balance reaches $25,000.
How to get started:
A parish endowment may be started with a $1,000 donation. Once it is set up, the Foundation will work with the pastor, staff or designated committee to grow to and beyond the $20,000 target.
The Foundation can provide marketing, event support, and communication programs. We also can support a comprehensive planned giving program for the parish. Through this program, we encourage parishioners to recognize the parish, at any level, in their estate plans. We make it simple for individuals and families to establish a gift that will continue to enhance the ministry and vibrancy of the parish FOREVER.
It is our goal to spend the entire $1 million, and we hope parishes will join us in this goal.
My parents were not offered the opportunity to contribute to an endowment for Saint Justin Parish; now, we can celebrate their legacy and that of many, many others by building this important source of financial support in the growth of ministry.
For more information, please give us a call at (408) 995-5219 or click here.
I hope you will join us.