LEAVING A LEGACY:
PLANNED GIVING Area Catholic Community Parishioners Share Final Stewardship Gift of Treasure
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hen Pat Niemand learned of the parishioners who sat in that Sally Svoboda and these pews before us.” Don Lausen had left a generous Planned giving is usually gift to the church on their passbest accomplished as part of a ing, she wasn’t surprised one bit. donor’s overall financial situ“The church meant so much ation, and there can be many to Don and Sally,” Pat says. “They benefits to the donor ranging cared deeply about St. Joseph from reducing estate taxes and and were a very involved couple income taxes to eliminating together.” taxes on IRS distributions, and Pat first met Sally when they simply having peace of mind were volunteering together at knowing that their donations the church and helping at a fuwill be made as they wish. neral. When Sally, the custodian There are many different at the time, was preparing for types of legacy planning, such a vacation, she asked Pat if she as donor-advised funds through could fill in for her. which a donor can make lifetime Sally Svoboda and Don Lausen “She cleaned the rectory and distributions and future distriwas a sacristan and also served on many church butions while receiving current income tax savings. committees,” says Pat, the current custodian. “I There are also charitable gift annuities and charitagot to know Don through her, and they were very ble life insurance. devout Catholics. If something broke at the church, “There are many other ways to plan legacy gifts they would fix it. The church meant everything to that might be right based on the specific goals and them.” financial situations of the donor,” Fr. Paul says. Before Don and Sally passed away, they preSetting up gift planning can be done through arranged that the proceeds from the sale of their lawyers, financial planners, or foundations like house would go to the church. This is a generous Catholic United Financial. It is a wonderful and genexample of “planned giving” or “legacy giving,” erous way to give back and to invest in the future of which is the process of making a significant charthe parish as Sally and Don have done. itable gift during a donor’s life or at death that is “The future of our parish is dependent on part of his or her financial or estate plan. today’s congregation supporting the current needs “Legacy planning to support your parish is one of the parish, but also planning for our future,” Fr. of the important decisions you can make,” says Fr. Paul says. “Planning your charitable legacy is easy, Paul Timmerman. “Our parish and our faith have can lower taxes, and increase the amount you have been built by the past generosity and planning to give and for you to use.”
If you would like more information about planned giving, please visit catholicunited.org or contact our Parish Catholic United Representative, Brian Zitzmann, at 701-238-3643 or bzitzmann@catholicunited.org to help you create your plan at no cost, or contact your lawyer or financial planner.
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