Stewardship
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
St. Michael Church offers the option of Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for your weekly offering.
It is safe, secure, and within your control. St. Michael Church will protect the privacy of your financial information, and you may change your amounts or withdraw from the program with 30 days’ notice.
Your choice of EFT is of great assistance to St. Michael Parish as well. EFT allows the parish to receive a consistent and reliable weekly income which helps us to better meet our financial obligations year-round.
To enroll, print out the Electronic Funds Transfer Enrollment Form, attach a blank voided check, and return to St. Michael’s by mail or by way of the collection basket. You can also contact the parish office to receive a form.
If you are concerned about how it appears to fellow parishioners if you do not put anything in the collection basket, rest assured that you will continue to receive your weekly envelopes as long as you want them. Simply write “EFT” on the envelope and place it in the offertory.
Leaving a Legacy
There are several ways you can make a gift to continue the mission of Christ through St. Michael Church. Through planned giving, your generosity and resources can be used effectively to help support the parish.
Charitable Bequests
Through a charitable bequest, you can give a specific amount of money, real estate, or personal property. You can also designate St. Michael Church as a beneficiary of your IRA. With the help of an attorney, you can include language in your will or trust specifying a gift to be made to the parish or school as part of your estate plan, or you can make a bequest using a beneficiary designation form. You may receive an estate tax charitable deduction; reduce the burden of taxes on your family and leave a lasting legacy to the church.
Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
If you’re 70½ or older and have a traditional IRA, a QCD is a powerful and tax-smart way to support the parish. This type of gift can satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution (RMD), and because the funds go directly to charity, they don’t count as taxable income. That means you can make a meaningful gift and enjoy tax advantages, even if you don’t itemize deductions.
Gift Appreciated Assets
Long-term, highly appreciated stock might be the ideal asset to donate. When you donate appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares instead of cash, you’ll receive charitable deductions at full, fair market value while reducing capital gains impact. You will avoid paying capital gains tax on the sale of appreciated stock and receive a charitable income tax deduction.
Life Insurance
St. Michael Church can be named the beneficiary of a life insurance policy that you hold. This is an especially appealing option to those potential donors who may own a policy that is no longer needed. By designating St. Michael Church as a beneficiary of your policy, you will be able to take a tax deduction for the accumulated cash value of the policy.
What will your legacy be? For more information, please contact the parish office.