Legacy giving is in the fabric of the life of this church. At St. Stephen’s, Bridge Builder is the name given to those who’ve made a commitment to supporting the long-term financial stability of our parish through a legacy gift to The St. Stephen’s Fund. Since The Fund’s inception in 1957, the income from the gifts entrusted to us has played an important role in supporting the ministries of our parish and the community it serves. When you give a legacy gift, you contribute to this solid foundation on which the dreams and needs of the future generations of our church can be fulfilled.
You build a bridge from the past to the future.
Including St. Stephen’s in your financial or estate plan doesn’t require millions of dollars. In fact, gifts large and small make an enormous difference in the life and ministry of our community. We invite you to join us in committing to that future. There is no minimum gift amount required for you to become a Bridge Builder. Every dollar is important and all are welcome.
Learn more about becoming a Bridge Builder and the St. Stephen’s Fund by downloading a brochure here.
We hope that you will consider including St. Stephen’s Church in your estate or financial plans and
help sustain our mission for generations to come.
There are many options for including the church in your long-range planning.
HOW TO LEAVE A LEGACY GIFT
There are many ways to make your legacy gift. Some have left bequests in their wills, leaving cash or securities. Others have made their gifts from insurance policies, IRAs, or retirement plans. Whatever the vehicle, each pathway creates an opportunity for you to play a critical role in the transformational work of St. Stephen’s Church beyond your lifetime.
WAYS TO GIVE
Long-term giving options include giving to The St. Stephen’s Fund through
- Bequests and Wills
- Retirement Plans and Accounts
- Charitable Trusts
- Bank Accounts, Securities, and Certificates of Deposit
- Life Insurance Policies
TYPES OF LEGACY GIFTS
You may choose to make a gift that is Undesignated (or unrestricted) or one that is Designated (or restricted.)
- Undesignated gifts are those that do not specify how your gift is to be used by the church. This type of gift will allow future leadership of the parish to support the church’s changing needs.
- Designated gifts are used for a particular purpose that you specify. For example, you may wish for your gift to be used for children’s, outreach, or music ministry; or for property/garden needs.
TIMING OF LEGACY GIFTS
You may choose to make a Current or Deferred gift to The St. Stephen’s Fund.
- Current gifts are given to The Fund now, and you may receive a charitable income tax deduction in the year of the gift.
- Deferred gifts (also called Planned Gifts or Requests) are given after your death. They are given to The St. Stephen’s Fund from your estate or trust.
GETTING HELP MAKING A LEGACY GIFT
Contact us! A great first step in becoming a Bridge Builder is to reach out and have a conversation about your options. Complete this quick Bridge Builder Interest Form and we’ll be in touch.
We also recommend you consult with your tax and/or financial advisor to understand each of these options and make the decisions that are best for you.
INFORMING ST. STEPHEN’S OF YOUR LEGACY GIFT
We want to recognize and thank ALL of our Bridge Builders! Once you have decided to make the commitment to support St. Stephen’s with a legacy gift, print a Bridge Builder Statement of Intent and return it to the church office.
