Your life is a story of faith, generosity, and love. Every act of kindness, every seed you’ve planted in our community, has made a lasting difference.
Your faith. Your story. Your legacy. Forever.
Legacy giving is your opportunity to ensure that your impact endures far beyond your lifetime. By making a planned gift to
St. John's Cathedral, you create a lasting legacy—a gift that keeps giving, sustaining the ministries
and missions you hold dear for generations to come.
Why We Choose to Leave a Legacy
Stories of Lasting Impact
Legacy Giving: Common Questions and Clear Answers
How do I make a legacy gift?
There are several ways to include St. John’s Cathedral in your estate planning:
- Include a bequest in your will or trust – You can designate a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or a residual gift after other distributions.
- Name St. John’s Cathedral as a beneficiary – You can easily designate the Cathedral as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, retirement account (such as an IRA or 401(k)), or bank account with a payable-on-death (POD) designation.
- Use a charitable trust or donor-advised fund – These options provide flexibility and potential tax benefits while ensuring your legacy supports the church’s mission.
We encourage you to consult with your financial advisor or Pam Searcy, Director of Development, to discuss your giving options.
Can I specify how my gift will be used by the church?
Absolutely. We have designated funds to support specific areas of ministry:
- General Fund supports the ongoing ministry of St. John’s Cathedral
- Properties Fund supports the maintenance and preservation of our beautiful cathedral and grounds
- Music Fund supports the Great Organ, the Cathedral Choir, and special music programs.
We are happy to work with you to ensure your legacy aligns with the church’s long-term needs.
How are the Cathedral’s endowments managed?
Our endowments are structured to preserve the principal (corpus) as a lasting legacy. We distribute earnings at a carefully managed rate (not to exceed 5% of total value) to ensure sustainable support for the Cathedral’s ministries while allowing the endowments to grow over time.
If I have already included the church in my will, why should I join the Legacy Society?
The Legacy Society was created to recognize and thank those who have made a planned gift to the church. By joining, you help inspire others to consider planned giving as well. Your membership also allows us to acknowledge your generosity during your lifetime and ensure we understand and honor your intentions.
I’m not wealthy. Can I still make a planned gift?
Planned giving is not just for the wealthy—it’s for anyone who wishes to leave a lasting impact. Even a modest bequest, a percentage of a life insurance policy, or naming the church as a beneficiary in a retirement account can make a meaningful difference.
Do I have to update my will to make a planned gift?
Not necessarily. While you can include a bequest in your will, there are other ways to give that don’t require changing your estate documents. You can name the church as a beneficiary of a retirement account, life insurance policy, or donor-advised fund with a simple form from your plan administrator.
Let’s Create Your Legacy Together
Your legacy can sustain the ministries, missions, and community you love. Together, let’s plant the seeds of faith and love that will grow for generations.
To learn more about how you can make a lasting impact through legacy giving, please contact Pam Searcy, Director of Development.
