A
- Advocate – Someone who publicly supports or recommends a cause, policy, or action.
- Assets Under Management (AUM) – The total market value of investments that a financial institution or advisor manages on behalf of clients.
- Asset Class – A category of investments with similar characteristics, such as stocks, bonds, or real estate.
B
- Brokerage – A firm or individual that facilitates the buying and selling of financial securities, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
C
- Canonical Entity – A church or organization recognized under canon law, the Catholic Church's legal framework.
- Capital Gains Tax – A tax imposed on the profit realized from the sale of a capital asset, such as stocks, real estate, or investments.
- Catholic Community Foundation Scholarship Program – A financial aid program that provides scholarships to students based on need, merit, or other criteria, supporting Catholic education.
- Catholic Growth Fund – An investment fund managed in accordance with Catholic values, designed for long-term financial growth while supporting faith-based initiatives.
- Catholic Philanthropy – Giving time, talent, and resources to causes that align with Catholic values and teachings.
- Catholic Savings Fund – A faith-aligned savings program that provides nonprofit organizations with Catholic-compliant investment opportunities and impact investing benefits.
- Catholic Schools – Educational institutions that provide academic instruction rooted in Catholic values and teachings.
- Catholic Teaching – The doctrines and moral guidelines the Catholic Church provides to direct the faithful in their spiritual and daily lives.
- Charitable Desire – The motivation to give, stemming from compassion, faith, or a sense of social responsibility.
- Charitable Gift Annuities – A giving arrangement where donors make a gift to a charity in exchange for fixed income payments for life.
- Charitable Giving – Donating money, goods, or time to support charitable organizations or causes.
- Charitable Goals – Specific objectives individuals or organizations aim to achieve through their philanthropic efforts.
- Charitable Intent – The purpose or motivation behind making donations, driven by a desire to support causes or help others.
- Charitable Programs – Organized efforts by nonprofits to address specific community needs through services or activities.
- Charity – The voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need.
- Christian Service Award - Recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to Christian service and charitable work in their communities.
- Community – A group of individuals connected by shared values, location, or purpose, often supported through charitable activities.
- Community Impact – The positive, measurable changes resulting from community charitable activities.
- Compliance – Adherence to laws, regulations, and ethical standards in business and investment practices.
- Criteria – A set of principles or standards used to make judgments or decisions.
- Curate – To select, organize, and manage resources or information according to specific guidelines.
D
- Diversification – Spreading investments across different assets to reduce risk.
- Donor Advised Fund (DAF) – A charitable giving account that allows donors to contribute funds, receive an immediate tax deduction, and recommend grants to nonprofit organizations over time.
- Donors – Individuals or organizations contributing money or resources to a cause or institution.
E
- End-of-Life Planned Gifts – Donations arranged during a donor's lifetime to be allocated after passing, often through wills or trusts.
- Endowment Fund – A fund where the principal amount is invested, and only the earnings are used to support specific charitable purposes.
- Estate Plan – A legal and financial strategy that outlines how an individual’s assets and affairs will be managed and distributed upon their passing.
- Estate Planning – The process of organizing and arranging an individual’s financial affairs, assets, and legal directives to ensure their wishes are carried out after death.
- Ethical Standards – Moral principles that guide behavior and decision-making in business and personal conduct.
F
- Faith-Centered Values – Core beliefs and principles derived from religious teachings that guide personal and organizational actions.
- Fiduciary – A person or organization legally obligated to act in the best interest of another party, particularly in financial matters.
- Financial Advisor – A professional who provides financial guidance and investment management services, including retirement planning, wealth management, and charitable giving strategies.
- Financial Institutions – Organizations such as banks or credit unions that manage money-related services, including savings and investments.
- Financial Stewardship Aligned with Faith-Based Values – Managing financial resources responsibly in a way that reflects religious principles.
- Forever Funds – Permanent endowment funds that provide sustainable, long-term financial support for charitable organizations or causes, ensuring ongoing impact.
- Foundation – A nonprofit organization that supports charitable causes through grants or direct programs.
G
- Giving Circle – A group of donors who pool their resources to collectively fund charitable projects or organizations, amplifying their philanthropic impact.
- Giving Plan – A strategic approach outlining how an individual or organization intends to donate to charitable causes over time.
- Gospel – The teachings of Jesus Christ, central to Christian faith and values.
- Granting Organization – An entity that provides funds to support programs, projects, or initiatives that align with its mission.
- Grants – Funds an organization provides to support specific projects, initiatives, or programs.
H
- Holdings – The assets owned within an investment portfolio.
I
- Immediate Results – Outcomes or impacts of charitable actions realized shortly after contributions are made.
- Independent 501(c)(3) – A nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt, operating independently from government control.
- Index-Based Strategies – Investment approaches that aim to track the performance of a market index.
- Investment Fees – Costs associated with managing investments, such as advisory fees or fund expenses.
- Investment Portfolio – A collection of financial assets, such as stocks, bonds, and funds, held by an individual or organization.
- Investments – Assets purchased with the expectation of generating income or appreciation over time.
L
- Legacy Gifts – Contributions that leave a lasting impact, often through planned giving strategies to support future generations.
- Long-Term Results – The enduring effects of charitable efforts that develop and sustain over time.
M
- Minimize Taxes – Strategies to reduce tax liabilities, often through charitable contributions or planned giving.
- Ministries – Programs or services within the Church dedicated to spiritual growth, service, and outreach.
- Mission Support Fees – Fees collected to support an organization's operational and charitable work.
P
- Parishes – Local communities of the Catholic Church where members gather for worship, education, and fellowship.
- Peace of Mind – A sense of reassurance and security, often achieved through responsible planning and charitable giving.
- Philanthropic Consultations – Advisory services that help individuals, families, or organizations develop effective charitable giving strategies aligned with their values and financial goals.
- Philanthropic Goals – Individuals or organizations aim to achieve desired outcomes through charitable contributions.
- Planned Gift – A charitable contribution arranged during a donor’s lifetime but typically distributed after their passing, often through a will, trust, or other financial instrument.
- Planned Giving – Supporting nonprofits through long-term financial arrangements, such as bequests, trusts, or annuities.
- Portfolio – The total collection of investments owned by an individual or entity.
- Proxy Voting – The practice of voting on corporate matters on behalf of shareholders, often based on ethical or financial considerations.
Q
- Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) - A tax-free way to donate money directly from your IRA (Individual Retirement Account) to a qualified charity, typically available to individuals who are 70 1/2 years old or older, allowing them to satisfy their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) while making a charitable gift without impacting their taxable income.
- Quasi-endowments – Funds that function like endowments but are not permanently restricted, allowing organizations more flexibility in using the principal if necessary.
R
- Reinvest – To return profits or returns to an organization or fund to support growth and sustainability.
- Returns – The gains or losses from an investment over time.
- Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) - The minimum amount you must withdraw from your retirement accounts each year. You must start taking RMDs when you reach a certain age, which is currently 73.
- Risk-Adjusted – A measure of investment returns that account for the level of risk taken.
S
- Safeguarding Values – Protecting and upholding principles, especially those rooted in faith, through responsible actions and stewardship.