A charitable bequest in your will is one of the simplest and most impactful ways for you to establish a legacy with your favorite organizations. Donors can bequeath specific items, specific sums of money, or a percentage of their estate. This can be done alongside making provisions in your will for loved ones. You can have it both ways: Ensure the financial well-being of your family and provide for the charities that you love. Click here for more information.

Creating a gift in your estate plan is easier than ever thanks to our relationship with FreeWill.com. In 20 minutes or less, you can write a legal will for free, and include the necessary language to support your parish, alma mater, or favorite nonprofit ministry. Get started on your free will here. (Disclaimer)

If you do not have a relationship with an attorney or tax and estate practitioner, a member of our Professional Advisors Council can help you include your favorite Catholic organizations in your estate plan.

Endowment funds are to our parishes, schools, or nonprofit ministries what retirement funds are to an individual: set-aside resources for the future. Once established with a minimum gift of $10,000, anyone can make additional contributions to a fund in any dollar amount. You may establish an endowment to benefit a single or multiple organizations through the annual distribution. Click here for more information.

Naming an organization as a beneficiary of your insurance policy or retirement account allows these gifts to pass to the charity outside your will. Additionally, naming an organization as both owner and beneficiary of an insurance policy can provide immediate tax benefits to you. In many cases, updating beneficiaries may be completed online or via a simple form and multiple beneficiaries may be named.

CGAs provide you with fixed income payments for life, no matter how long you live. At the end of your life, the remainder of the annuity benefits the organization(s) you designate. You may also choose a Deferred Charitable Gift Annuity to begin receiving income payments at a later date and higher rate. Click here for more information.

The Catholic Community Foundation, Office of Catholic Schools, and the Archdiocese of New Orleans have partnered to launch the Aspiring Scholars program. Aspiring Scholars is a 501(c)3 School Tuition Organization offering low- to moderate-income families scholarship assistance for Catholic education through the State of Louisiana Tuition Donation Credit Program.
 
Individuals or businesses can give all or a portion of their state tax liability to fund scholarship opportunities, directly benefiting children in our community. Donors to Aspiring Scholars can claim a 95% credit on their state income taxes.  To learn more, visit www.aspiringscholarsla.org and contact Julie Talbot.