Ways to Give

Leave a Legacy with a Planned Gift

There are various ways to make a significant, long-lasting gift to the Serra International Foundation that can support our efforts to address the vocational needs of the universal Church for years to come.

Gifts by Bequest
The easiest and most common way to make a legacy gift to the Serra International Foundation is through a bequest in your will. Bequests of any amount come “off the top” off your taxable estate and tax laws provide an unlimited charitable deduction for them. You may include the Serra International Foundation as a bequest in your will by using any of the following language:

• I give ____ % of my estate to the Serra International Foundation.  

• I give the remainder of my estate to the Serra International Foundation.

• I give $____ to the Serra International Foundation.

To assure that the Serra International Foundation will benefit and you be recognized within the St. Junipero Legacy Society, the Intent form should be filled out and emailed to: pslomski@serrainternational.org

Gifts of Securities
A gift of appreciated stocks or bonds is another way to make an immediate impact on the Serra International Foundation. Your contribution will help you avoid any tax on capital gains and you are able to deduct the full fair market value of long-term appreciated securities. Gifts of appreciated stocks or bonds can also be made through your will by inserting some simple language (see Gifts by Bequest).

Charitable Annuities and Trusts
Annuities and Trusts allow you to make legacy gifts to the Serra International Foundation now and receive immediate tax benefits and regular income for you and your spouse for the remainder of your life. There are many variations of these annuities and trusts which allow you to choose what is best for you.

Beneficiary Designations of IRAs & Other Qualified Plans
Another way to leave a legacy gift is to designate the Serra International Foundation as a beneficiary to your IRA and other tax qualified retirement plans, paid upon the death of the owner. This method of donating helps the donor avoid estate tax on the amount of the donation as well as the income tax that would have been charged if paid to the individual.

Gift of Life Insurance
At some point your life insurance policies might not be as necessary as they were before, in that case you could make the Serra International Foundation the beneficiary of the policy or the owner of the policy, depending on what makes more sense for you financially.

The Serra International Foundation suggests all individuals interested in providing a planned gift also consult with your accountant, tax attorney, or financial advisor to select the best options for your situation.

Additional Ways to Support the Foundation

Establish an Endowment
Establishing an endowment with the Serra International Foundation is a powerful way to ensure that your commitment to fostering vocations continues for generations to come. With a minimum investment of $30,000, you create a permanent fund that will generate annual support for the Foundation’s mission—encouraging and sustaining vocations to the Catholic priesthood and religious life. Unlike a one-time gift, an endowment becomes a lasting legacy. The principal of your investment remains intact, while the earnings are used year after year to strengthen the Church’s future leaders.

By creating an endowment, you join a community of Serran’s who recognize that the call to vocations requires long-term commitment. Your endowment bears your name—or the name of a loved one—and serves as a living testament to your faith, generosity, and dedication to the mission of Serra International. This is more than a gift; it is an enduring legacy that ensures countless young men and women will be supported in their vocational journey for years to come.

IRA Charitable Rollover
If you are at age 70½ or older, and are the owner of a Traditional IRA, and do not need all or part of your required minimum distribution, you can make tax-free IRA contributions directly to the Serra International Foundation. Each age-eligible IRA owner can transfer up to $108,000 tax-free per tax year. Your IRA gift must be complete on or before December 31 of the calendar year in which you choose to utilize the IRA Charitable Rollover gift vehicle for tax purposes. The check must be made payable directly to Serra International Foundation. For more information view the Foundation’s Roll Over IRA fact sheet.

Matching Gifts
The impact of your gift may be doubled or possibly tripled. Many employers sponsor matching gift programs that will match any charitable contribution made by their employees. Some companies will match gifts made by retirees and/or spouses. If your company offers an employee matching gifts program, you can make your donation go twice as far with a matching gift to the Serra International Foundation. Please check with your human resources department to see if your company participates in a matching gift program or use the Charity Navigator search tool to see if your employer matches gifts.

For more information on any of these giving options, please contact Paul Slomski, Director of Development, pslomski@serrainternational.org or (312) 201-6531.