Legacy Giving
Faithful generosity today. Lasting impact for generations to come.
At St. Stephen, generosity is more than a moment—it’s a legacy. Legacy giving is a way to support the mission and ministries you love while planning wisely for the future.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or have already included St. Stephen in your plans, we’re grateful for your faithfulness.
What Is Legacy Giving?
Legacy giving includes a variety of ways to support the church beyond regular weekly offerings. These gifts often allow you to make a meaningful impact while also meeting your personal financial, tax, and estate-planning goals.
Legacy giving is not about wealth—it’s about values. It’s a way to ensure that the faith, community, and ministries that have shaped your life continue to bless others well into the future.
Why It Matters
Legacy gifts help ensure that St. Stephen remains a vibrant, welcoming community for generations to come.
These gifts support:
Ongoing ministry and outreach
Care for future generations
Financial stability during times of change
Long-term mission planning
Through legacy giving, you help carry forward Christ’s love—long after today.
Ways to Give
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A bequest is one of the simplest and most common ways to make a legacy gift.
You can designate a specific amount, percentage, or remainder of your estate to St. Stephen in your will or trust—while still caring for loved ones.
Good for people who:
Want to make a future gift without affecting current finances. -
A charitable gift annuity allows you to make a gift to St. Stephen while receiving fixed income for life.
You receive:
Guaranteed lifetime payments
Possible tax benefits
The joy of knowing your gift will support the church’s future
Good for people who:
Want steady income and a lasting impact. -
A charitable remainder trust provides income to you or your beneficiaries for a period of time. When the trust ends, the remaining assets support St. Stephen.
This option can offer flexibility, tax advantages, and long-term impact.
Good for people who:
Have appreciated assets and want income now with a future charitable gift. -
Donating appreciated stocks, real estate, or other assets can be a tax-efficient way to give.
In many cases, this allows you to:
Avoid capital gains taxes
Receive a charitable deduction
Make a larger impact than with cash alone
Good for people who:
Hold investments that have increased in value. -
If you are 70½ or older, you may be able to give directly from your IRA to St. Stephen.
These gifts:
Count toward required minimum distributions
May reduce taxable income
Support the church immediately
Good for people who:
Are taking required IRA distributions and want a tax-wise way to give.
St. Stephen Endowment Fund
The Endowment Fund is a cornerstone of St. Stephen’s long-term financial health. Gifts to the endowment are invested, with earnings used to support ministry and mission—now and in the future.
Endowment gifts can be made:
During your lifetime
Through your estate plans
As part of another legacy giving option
By supporting the endowment, you help ensure that St. Stephen continues to serve, welcome, and grow for generations to come.
Getting Started
Legacy giving doesn’t require all the answers—and it doesn’t require a commitment today.
We encourage you to:
Pray and reflect on what matters most to you
Speak with your financial or legal advisor
Reach out to us for a conversation
We are happy to answer questions, share resources, and walk alongside you—confidentially and without pressure.