Planned Giving
In the next 50 years, the United States will continue to experience the largest transfer of wealth in the history of our country. Family gifts and charitable donations (including planned gifts) will account for trillions of dollars of this transfer as retirees and aging baby grow older and die. Historically, those living during the first half of our century were and continue to be remarkable savers and their thrift and savvy with saving and investing will benefit innumerable numbers of individuals and charitable organizations.
Not for profit organizations like the American Lung Association, American Cancer Society and the March of Dimes have long employed the division of planned giving as part of their development work. Colleges and universities have also jumped on the band wagon in the last several decades, using school loyalty among others things to secure planned gifts.
It is imperative that the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi now begin a clear and concise program of planned giving. Parishioners are extremely loyal to their parish, with sometimes more than five generations of family as former and current members. What better loyalty is there than to a parish that has nurtured, baptized, confirmed, married and buried family members over the course of a hundred or more years?
A planned gift to a congregation in our diocese will help to insure that the parish hall is maintained, that essential programs are continued and strengthened and the superior priests are called to lead and become a part of the church community. Ministries that helped shape and mold the spiritual and emotional life of the giver will be present for generations to come.
The process for setting up a planned gift is simple. Once the donor has indicated the desire to make a planned gift to the parish or mission, the priest can contact the Director of Development at the diocesan office for resources and next steps. The development director is experienced in the specifics of these types of gifts and can act as a resource for the donor, their family, and the priest at the congregation.
The Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi will often work in cooperation with the Episcopal Church Foundation, a not for profit organization that provides education and resources about planned giving and development. To learn more please click on the following link, which will give additional information, definitions of planned gifts, time lines etc. when considering a planned gift to a congregation or to the diocese: Episcopal Foundation
Please contact The Reverend Kyle Dice Seage, Director of Development for further information. She may be reached by email: kyleseage@dioms.org or by telephone 601-948-5954. Brochures and ongoing resources are available to each congregation if needed.
