TheGif t Planner
A Legacy of Faith, Hope, and Love
A legacy is often understood as the imprint a person leaves behind—a quiet echo of their values, memories, accomplishments, and generosity. It’s the enduring influence they have on the lives they’ve touched, the communities they’ve served, and the causes they’ve cherished. Whether personal, professional, or philanthropic, a legacy becomes most profound when it is rooted in faith; when it reflects a life lived in response to God’s call to love and serve others.
Saint Meinrad is a sacred place where such legacies are not only created, but also received, honored, and shared. On this holy hill, people from all walks of life find space to listen to God and live out their calling, and in doing so, contribute to a spiritual heritage that transcends generations.
For the monks of Saint Meinrad, legacy is not something pursued; it
is something lived. Through a life steeped in prayer, service, and hospitality, they embody Benedictine tradition and the example of St. Meinrad himself. Their daily commitment to The Rule of St. Benedict shapes the rhythm of the community, emphasizing humility, obedience, and stability.
Whether teaching, mentoring, creating, or laboring, each monk offers his gifts in service to others, helping to enrich the broader Church and world. Yet perhaps the most enduring legacy is found in the quiet constancy of their prayer. Anchored in the liturgies of Word and Sacrament, their contemplative life sustains the spiritual heart of the community and lifts up the needs of the Church and the world. It is a legacy not marked by monuments, but by the steady, faithful presence of lives given wholly to God.
Just as the monks of Saint Meinard leave their legacy through lives of prayer and service, so too can others participate in the sacred tradition of self-giving. This legacy is not confined to the cloister; it extends into the lives of those who feel called to support the mission of Saint Meinrad and the broader Church through their own gifts.
By thoughtfully engaging in charitable planning, donors can ensure that their values continue to bear fruit long after they are gone. Whether through bequests, endowments, or other forms of planned gifts, these acts of generosity become a living testament to one’s faith and commitment to the spiritual and educational work carried out at Saint Meinrad.
Such gifts help sustain the formation of future Church leaders, support the monastic community, and extend hospitality and spiritual nourishment to countless others. In this way, alumni, friends, and benefactors become co-builders of a legacy rooted in love, service, and faith that will continue to shape the Church and the world for generations to come. ◆
My Dear Friends,
At Saint Meinrad, legacy is not merely a word—it is a living witness to faith, service, and devotion. It is seen in the daily rhythm of our monastic life, where prayer and work glorify God in all things. It is carried forward by our faculty, staff, and co-workers, whose dedication to education and formation prepares future leaders for the Church.
This legacy is also sustained by you, our generous supporters, whose charitable planning strengthens our mission and ministries. Your gifts are more than contributions. They are a testament to your own living witness of faith, hope, and love.
Thank you for being a part of this enduring legacy. May God continue to bless you and your loved ones. You remain in my daily prayers.
What the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Means for Your Charitable Giving
The “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB), signed into law on July 4, 2025, brings several changes to the tax code that go into effect in 2026 and might affect the tax benefits of charitable giving for donors to the causes they care about—including Saint Meinrad. In a recent presentation hosted by PG Calc and Foundation Source, experts Gary Pforzheimer and Craig Wruck broke down the bill’s basic implications for donors:
For Donors Who Itemize Deductions
• New 35% Cap: Starting in 2026, for donors who are in the top tax bracket of 37%, itemized deductions— including charitable contributions—will be worth 35%. So, a $10,000 donation yields $3,500 in federal tax savings instead of $3,700.
• 0.5% Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Floor: Donors will need to give more than 0.5% of their adjusted gross income (AGI)
before charitable deductions begin to count. As an example, someone making $200,000 would have a $1,000 floor. A $500 donation would yield no deduction, but a $1,200 donation would yield a $200 deduction.
• 60% AGI Limit for Cash Gifts: This limit remains unchanged, allowing donors to deduct up to 60% of their AGI for cash contributions.
For Donors Who Do Not Itemize New Above-the-Line Deduction: Beginning in 2026, donors can deduct up to $1,000 (single) or $2,000 (joint) in charitable gifts— even if they take the standard deduction. However, gifts to donor-advised funds (DAF) will not qualify.
Estate Planning
Higher Exemption for Gifts and Estates: The federal exemption will be increased to $15 million per person ($30 million per
Planning for the future is one of the best gifts you can give. If you’ve already remembered Saint Meinrad in your will or would like to learn how, just fill out the enclosed card and drop it in the reply envelope. We’d love to hear from you. Together, we can make sure that Saint Meinrad continues forming future leaders of faith for years to come.
Rt. Rev. Kurt Stasiak, OSB Archabbot of Saint Meinrad
married couple), indexed for inflation. This means most estates will not owe federal estate tax, but charitable bequests can still offer meaningful tax benefits and legacy impact.
What This Might Mean for You
These changes might influence how and when donors give—but your generosity still matters. Whether you are considering a bequest, a charitable trust, or a simple annual gift, your support
helps sustain the mission of Saint Meinrad and reflects your values in a lasting way.
If you have questions about how the new law affects your giving, we encourage you to speak with your estate planner, financial planner, or tax advisor. This content is given as information only from the sources cited above.
Saint Meinrad does not offer professional tax advice. ◆
The Einsiedeln Society honors those who include Saint Meinrad in their will or trust, make a planned gift (such as a gift annuity, insurance policy, or retirement plan beneficiary designation), or make a significant gift to the endowment fund. Members are remembered daily in prayer, invited annually to a Day of Recollection, and recognized as lasting partners in our mission. Members may choose to remain anonymous should they so desire.
Brian Doyle Director of Planned Giving and Foundation Relations
Neither the author, the publisher, nor this organization is engaged in rendering legal or tax advisory service. For advice or assistance in specific cases, the services of an attorney or other professional advisor should be obtained. The purpose of this publication is to provide accurate and authoritative information of a general character only. Watch for tax revisions. State laws govern wills, trusts, and charitable gifts made in a contractual agreement. Advice from legal counsel should be sought when considering these types of gifts. ©Saint Meinrad Archabbey, 2025.
New Gift Planning Resource Center!
We are excited to announce the launch of a new Saint Meinard Gift Planning Resource Center this fall! Discover tools, tips, and guidance to help you create a lasting legacy rooted in faith. Whether you’re just starting or refining your plans, this educational website center will offer information on various gift types, gift calculators, estate planners, up-to-date tax benefits, donor stories, and more.
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