Your commitment to Stewardship—the grateful recognition that all we have comes from God, is vital to the mission of our parish and school. Every gift of time, talent, and treasure ensures that our faith community continues to thrive, serve our neighbors, and provide excellent Catholic education.
We rely on the generosity of our parishioners to sustain our ministries, maintain our beautiful campus, and support our staff. Below are the ways you can offer your financial gifts to St. Agnes Parish.
Ways to Give:
Scheduled Weekly / Monthly Giving
This is the most direct way to support our day-to-day operations and help us budget effectively.
- Online Giving is Preferred: Set up recurring electronic contributions directly from your bank account or debit/credit card. This is safe, secure, and ensures your gift is received even when you’re traveling.
- Offertory Envelopes: Use the envelopes mailed to your home and place them in the offertory basket at Mass.
- Text-to-Give: Simply text an amount to a dedicated number to make a quick contribution.
Non-Cash and Tax-Advantaged Giving
These methods allow you to support the parish while often receiving significant tax benefits.
| Giving Vehicle | How It Works | Key Benefit |
| Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) | Individuals age 70 ½ or older can transfer funds directly from their IRA to the church/school. | The gift is excluded from your taxable income and can satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). |
| Stocks and Mutual Funds | Donate appreciated securities (held for more than one year) directly to the Parish/School. | You receive a tax deduction for the full fair market value and typically avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation. |
| Real Estate | Gifts of property, such as homes or land. | Offers a large tax deduction and eliminates capital gains tax on the property’s appreciation. |
| Matching Gifts | Many companies match employee charitable contributions, doubling the impact of your gift. | Doubles the size of your gift at no extra cost to you. (Check with your HR department!) |
Gifts of Life Insurance
Donating a life insurance policy to St. Agnes is a strategic way to make a significant future gift to our Parish without requiring a large immediate cash donation. It allows you to transform manageable premium payments into a substantial final contribution.
How It Works
A donor transfers ownership of a policy to St. Agnes, which then becomes the owner and irrevocable beneficiary. Because the Parish is a qualified non-profit, this transaction offers attractive tax benefits.
Ways to Donate Life Insurance
| Method | Donor Action | Donor Benefit |
| Paid-Up Policy | Transfer ownership of a fully paid policy. | Receive an immediate tax deduction for the cash value. |
| Existing Policy | Transfer ownership and continue paying premiums. | Receive an immediate deduction for the cash value, plus deductions for all future premium payments. |
| New Policy | Purchase a new policy and immediately name the Parish as owner. | Every premium payment is a fully deductible charitable contribution. |
Key Advantages
- Tax Deduction: Provides an immediate deduction (for the cash value) and/or ongoing deductions (for premiums paid).
- Leverage: A small investment in premiums can generate a much larger death benefit for the Parish years later.
- No Estate Tax: The proceeds pass directly to the tax-exempt Parish and are excluded from the donor’s taxable estate.
Note: For the tax benefits to apply, the Parish must be named the owner of the policy, not just the beneficiary. Always consult your tax advisor before making this gift.
Legacy and Planned Gifts
Leaving a legacy gift ensures that our parish and school will continue to serve future generations.
- Bequests in a Will or Trust: Name St. Agnes as a beneficiary in your will or living trust for a specific amount, a percentage, or the residue of your estate.
- Beneficiary Designations: Name St. Agnes as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), life insurance policy, or bank account. This is often the easiest legacy gift to arrange—simply request a change of beneficiary form from your plan administrator.
- Charitable Gift Annuity/Trusts: These options can provide you or a loved one with lifetime income while securing a future gift for the parish.
Matching Gifts: Unlocking Hidden Value for St. Agnes
Matching gifts are an invaluable, often underutilized resource for St. Agnes. Simply put, they are donations made by a donor’s employer that match the employee’s charitable contribution, essentially doubling the impact of every gift at no extra cost to the donor.
The Value of Matching Gift Programs
- Immediate Doubling of Funds: Matching gifts often provide a 1:1, 2:1, or sometimes even 3:1 match for employee donations, instantly amplifying the financial support for our ministries and school subsidy.
- Encourages Larger Giving: Knowing their gift will be doubled often encourages parishioners to increase their pledge, making a larger impact than they otherwise might.
- Unrestricted Revenue: Most companies provide their match as an unrestricted gift, meaning the funds can be directed to the Parish’s greatest need, such as closing the budget deficit, maintaining our facilities, or supporting our vital subsidy of the school.
- Ease of Participation: The process is typically straightforward, requiring only the donor to fill out a short online form or submit a request to their HR department after making their donation to the Parish.
Options for Retirees
Many parishioners who are retired may assume they no longer qualify, but many large corporations extend their charitable giving programs to former employees. This is a crucial, often untapped revenue source for the Parish.
Retirees have two main avenues to generate matching funds:
- Retiree Matching Programs:
- Many companies offer a matching gift benefit to retirees, often at the same rate as active employees, though sometimes with a lower annual limit.
- Action for Retirees: Check with your former employer’s Human Resources department to confirm eligibility and any annual matching caps.
- Volunteer Matching Grants:
- This is an excellent option for retirees who donate their time rather than just funds. Companies often provide cash grants to non-profits where their retirees volunteer a minimum number of hours (e.g., 20, 50, or 100 hours annually).
- Action for Retirees: If you volunteer at the school, parish office, or a ministry, track your hours. Your former employer may grant the Parish a gift of $10–$20 per hour volunteered.
Our goal at St. Agnes is to ensure every dollar given to the parish achieves its maximum potential. We encourage all families—active employees and retirees—to take five minutes to check their eligibility today.
Capital and Endowment Support
These gifts are dedicated to the long-term strength and stability of our institutions.
- Capital Campaign: Donations restricted for large projects like new construction, major renovations, or debt reduction.
- Endowment Funds: Gifts invested to provide a stable, ongoing income stream for the Parish or School forever. These funds are used to secure financial stability for scholarships, maintenance, or ministry expenses.
Questions?
We understand that giving decisions can be complex, especially with tax-advantaged vehicles. For confidential assistance with stocks, QCDs, or planned gifts, please contact: Dan Koenig, Director of Operations at 913.766.9758 or Koenig.dan@stagnesks.org.
Consult Your Tax Advisor
Making a thoughtful charitable gift—whether it’s cash, stock, real estate, or a life insurance policy is an important decision that can carry significant tax implications.
While our Parish staff can provide information about our needs and the gift acceptance process, we are not legally authorized to provide tax or financial advice.
Before finalizing any major contribution, we strongly recommend you consult with your personal tax advisor, attorney, or financial planner. This ensures your gift is structured in the most effective way to meet both your philanthropic goals and your personal financial situation, maximizing your benefit and the impact of your generosity.