Sample Bulletin Messages • Examples of Fund Growth

TIPS ON BUILDING YOUR ENDOWMENT FUND

The Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso was founded in 2001 to support the annual and long-term needs of diocesan ministries, parishes and schools.  The Foundation established the Catholic Legacy Fund to create endowments for every parish, ministry and school in the Diocese.  Parish endowment funds can be established with a gift or pledge of $10,000 over a five year period.  There are a number of ways to raise awareness and support for your parish endowment fund.

• Direct contributions from your parish/school/ministry fund.  If your parish/school/ministry has an operating surplus, savings or money market account, consider making a contribution directly to your endowment fund.  Your endowment fund will earn a greater return than a typical savings or money market account when invested through the Catholic Legacy Fund.
• Gifts in lieu of flowers.  You can suggest to parishioners to ask family and friends to contribute to your (parish/school/ministry) endowment in lieu of sending flowers when they lose a loved one who has been active in their faith community.
• Special collection(s).  You can raise support for your endowment fund by hosting a special or second collection whose proceeds will directly benefit your parish/school/ministry fund.  Having a special collection for endowment is also an opportunity to educate your parishioners about your endowment fund and plant the seed for future gifts.
• Bulletin Inserts.  You can advertise opportunities to give to your parish/school/ministry endowment fund by including inserts or announcements in parish bulletins.  A sample fact sheet can be developed through the Foundation to explain your fund along with sample ads promoting gifts to your fund in lieu of flowers for baptisms, first Holy Communion, quinceanieras, weddings, funerals, holy days, or other special occasions.
• Direct Mail Appeal.  You can send a direct mail appeal to potential donors to solicit funds for your parish/school/ministry endowment.  The Foundation Office can help you craft an appeal letter and provide return envelopes for your use.
• Cultivation Events.  You can host a special event at your parish/school/ministry or other location to invite parishioners and potential donors to learn about the opportunities to give to your parish endowment fund.  The Foundation staff is available to make presentations at these events.
• Planned Giving Presentations.  You can host free seminars on planned giving to help parishioners learn more about estate planning.  The Foundation staff is available to make planned giving presentations covering topics including wills, bequests, life insurance, and other planned giving instruments designed to help families prepare for the future of their estates and learn about how they can give to the Church.
• Named Funds.  Parishioners can create named funds within your parish/school/ministry fund as a way to honor or memorialize family members and loved ones.  Named Funds can be established with gifts or pledges of $10,000 or more over a five year period.  Named Funds are a great way for parishioners to establish a legacy within your parish.

Tax-deductible contributions can be made to the Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso and designated for your parish fund.  For more information about creating an endowment fund for your parish, contact the Foundation Office at 915.872.8412.