Creative Stewardship: Financing Our Sanctuary and Shrine
“Let each one give according to his ability.”
— St. Paul, 2 Corinthians 9:7
How does a parish family acquire the $8.5 million necessary to fund the construction and beautification of our Sanctuary and Shrine?
This is a considerable amount of money for any church community to generate. In all likelihood, a fundraising goal of this scale surpasses what can typically be drawn directly from our members’ standard cash flow—wallets, purses, checkbooks, and personal savings accounts.
Where will these necessary resources come from?
The solution lies in an overlooked form of biblical stewardship: appreciated assets. Most of us are unaware of this untapped resource, but once informed of its spiritual and practical potential, many families find it to be a deeply rewarding option.
Why Gift an Appreciated Asset?
Contributing an asset that has grown in value over time is often the most economical way for an individual or family to make a truly sizable, legacy-level contribution to the capital campaign.
When you sell an appreciated asset, the proceeds are necessarily diminished by capital gains and income taxes. However, gifting that same asset directly to Saint Anna Church allows the parish to receive its full value while completely eliminating those tax burdens for you.
Examples of Appreciated Assets
Below is a non-exhaustive list of non-cash resources that can be leveraged to build the house of God:
Financial & Corporate Instruments: Stock certificates, bonds, mutual funds, or income from annuities.
Real Estate & Titles: Residential property, commercial real estate, parcels of land that are no longer desired or have become difficult to maintain, as well as vehicle titles (automobiles, boats).
Collections & Luxury Goods: High-value jewelry, works of fine art, antique automobiles, or valuable collections.
Estate & Insurance Options: A partial distribution of a relative’s estate, cash-value life insurance policies, or policies that are no longer needed by your household.
The Threefold Advantage of Asset Giving
Capital Gains Avoidance: You entirely avoid the capital gains taxes that would normally apply to items purchased at a lower price that have since increased in value. Income Tax Reductions: Gifting the asset directly to the church eliminates the income tax burden associated with liquidating the property yourself. Amplified Impact: It empowers you to make a significantly larger total gift to the capital campaign than would be possible with a standard cash donation alone.
If you would like to explore how your family can utilize this tax-advantaged stewardship model to help secure the future of our Shrine, please contact the Church Office.