Some gifts we leave to express our love. Others express respect and responsibility. But a legacy gift to St. James’s expresses something entirely different—your relationship with God, your generous and grateful spirit, and your profound love of this special church. By deciding today to provide a gift for many tomorrows, you’re securing your legacy for years to come while providing for the financial security that is essential to St. James’s.
There are many ways to leave a legacy gift, most of which have the added benefit of providing you tax benefits.
Leave A Gift In Your Will
You can name St. James’s in your will and designate a fixed dollar amount, a particular asset, or a percentage of your estate.
Gift From Your Retirement Accounts
You can designate St. James’s as a beneficiary on one or more of your retirement accounts, or other similar accounts.
Name St. James's In Your Living Trust
If you have a living trust, you can leave a pre-set amount or a percentage of it to the church.
Give From Your Life Insurance Policy
You can designate St. James’s as the beneficiary of a paid-up life Insurance policy.
Donor-Advised Fund
You may specify that any money in a donor-advised fund not distributed during your lifetime be given to the St. James’s Endowment Fund at the time of your death.
Endow Your Pledge
You may endow your pledge by designating your legacy gift to the Pledge Endowment Fund within the St. James’s Endowment Fund. Ideally, the amount you leave would generate a return that would equal your current annual pledge. In doing so, you create a perpetual yearly contribution to annual giving. Let’s say your current pledge is $2,500. At the required “spending rate” of 4.5% in the Pledge Endowment Fund, an endowed gift of just over $55,000 would generate a $2,500 annual gift in perpetuity (subject to investment performance).
A Fixed Sum Gift
You can make a gift to benefit St. James’s during your lifetime that will pay you an income for life—often a fixed sum that is guaranteed. This arrangement entitles you to various immediate tax benefits. Upon your death, the remaining principal will be distributed to the Endowment Fund. Life income options include Charitable Gift Annuities and Charitable Remainder Trusts.
If you have arranged for a legacy gift but have not notified us of your plans, we would greatly appreciate your letting us know. You can fill out this form with your plans and send it to us.
If you have questions or need additional information, contact Grace Barrett, Director of Stewardship, at 804-355-1779, ext. 317. Additionally, if you wish to make provisions to contribute specifically for endowment in a will, trust or other giving vehicle, the specific tax ID for St. James’s Endowment Fund, Inc. is: 83-2821776.
As parishioners of St. James’s, we are called to live as Doers of the Word worshipping God and serving others to build Christ’s Kingdom. As we add to the foundation of our church to benefit future generations and uncharted ministries, we practice meaningful stewardship of all that God has bestowed upon us.
St. James’s Whitlock Legacy Society honors stewards who make financial provisions for the future of this parish. The health and well-being of St. James’s is built upon the generations of saints in our community who have left a legacy intended for the long-term benefit of the church. You can become a member of the Whitlock Legacy Society by naming the St. James’s Endowment Fund, Inc. in your will or legacy gift. Once you make known your intention to St. James’s, you will become a member of the Whitlock Legacy Society. Your name will be added to the list of the Whitlock Legacy Society members unless you prefer to remain anonymous.
We are deeply grateful to Whitlock Legacy Society Members who have shown their devotion to St. James’s and their faith in this parish.
