Leave a Planned Gift
Catholic Estate Planning
Your last will and testament is more than just a legal document—it’s your final opportunity to pass along your values, not just your valuables. By including a charitable planned gift in your estate plan that supports your faith, you can show your family what truly matters to you and ensure your legacy continues to reflect your spiritual priorities.
As stewards of God’s blessings, we are called to use our resources wisely and generously: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver,” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Leaving a planned gift is a profound way to answer this call, contributing to the Church’s mission and strengthening its future.
Today, the Church faces a shifting landscape. Changing demographics and cultural attitudes challenge full engagement, while economic pressures make sustaining ministry more difficult. Your planned gift can help ensure that the light of Christ continues to shine brightly, supporting the Church’s mission to serve and inspire in an ever-changing world.
Consider leaving a planned gift that demonstrates your faith and inspires future generations to carry on Christ's work. We can build a stronger, more vibrant Church community for years.
Leaving a Legacy
Catholic Community Foundation philanthropists explain why planned giving is an important part of their legacy.
Physical Property
Through the Foundation, we can accept all planned gifts, including land, buildings, and any other physical property, including boats, jewelry, and more!
Life Insurance
If you name a parish, school, or other nonprofit as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy or retirement accounts or have a policy that has lapsed in its original intent, the organization may be able to benefit.
Wills & Trusts
By including the Catholic Community Foundation in your will or trust, we can ensure your planned gift is protected and allocated following your wishes.
This includes the establishment of an endowment for an organization.
Retirement Plans
Tax-deferred accounts, such as 401(k)s or 403(b)s, are often the most advantageous assets to donate to charity if you have charitable intentions while also planning to leave gifts to family or friends. These accounts have "embedded taxes," meaning that no taxes are owed when they are gifted to a charity. However, suppose these accounts are passed on to family or friends. In that case, they will be responsible for paying the taxes, which can result in unnecessary tax consequences and reduce the overall value of their inheritance.
"We're in the fourth quarter of our lives and want no regrets. we don't want to wish we had done something and realize it's too late. so, that thinking spurred as to get our ducks in order and think about the important things."
- Barry Markl, Perpetual Life Society Member and Donor Advised Fund Holder
"For my father, education was paramount. the often told me and may siblings that he would go without the shirt on his back to ensure we received a Catholic education."
Dr. Mary Francis Maloney, Perpetual Life Society Member and Endowment Fund Holder
“Amanda wanted to give scholarships while she was still alive, which enabled her to meet the recipients, and that gave them the opportunity to know her. And that was really beautiful."
Sister Mary Jordan Hoover, Principal of JPII High School and Catholic Community Foundation Board Member
Leaving A Legacy: What to Consider in End-of-life Giving
Which organizations or areas do I want to impact?
Most importantly, where do you want your legacy gift to impact? What do you love? What do you want to see blossom or safeguard? It might be a charity or a general field of interest (e.g., protecting life).
Do I want my gift(s) to span generations?
Determining whether we want to impact our cause(s) for generations or to benefit today is an important step to determine the type of fund to house your legacy gift.
Do I want to restrict the use of my gift?
End-of-life gifts may be as specific as the timeline of use of the funds and/or the areas in which the funds may be used. Whether permanent or immediate, the Foundation will ensure your intent and wishes and fulfilled.
Do I want to involve my family or other loved ones?
Legacy gifts can be a great way to introduce your family to philanthropy by including them in the charitable selection process. It is important to consider whether this will last for one or more generations.
Do I want to include flexibility in my plan?
The goal is for your legacy to last forever. Just as today looks different from 1,000 years ago, 1,000 years from today will also look different, with new challenges for society and our faith. Selecting a fund advisor or alternative use can help adapt your fund for the uncertain future.
Why the Foundation?
We are a fiduciary
One of the Foundation’s primary functions is reassuring our donors that their wishes and intent will always be honored.
We have the experience
We have 40 years of experience in advising and managing charitable funds for the living and the deceased. With over 600 charitable funds managed, we have the breadth and depth of knowledge to ensure your plan is safeguarded and structured to accomplish your goals.
Flexibility and personal customization
No two charitable plans are alike. At the Foundation, we can be as specific or broad as your plan requires. We pride ourselves on providing custom solutions that help you give however you want.
We are you!
We are authentically Catholic, and our values guide everything we do: how we invest, make decisions, and serve our community. As a canonical and independent 501(c)(3), we pride ourselves on living our Catholic values in a way that best supports the Diocese of Phoenix region.
