For nearly 200 years, Calvary has thrived because of the foresight of its members. Established in 1933, the Calvary Endowment Foundation has sustained our parish through seasons of both abundance and challenge. Investments in this fund are used exclusively to enhance the good works of Calvary. By including The Calvary Endowment Foundation in your estate plans, you ensure that our ministry, worship, music, and outreach will continue to serve Memphis for generations to come.
There are several flexible ways to remember Calvary. We recommend consulting with your financial advisor or attorney to choose the path that is right for you.
The simplest way to give. You can add a sentence (codicil) to your existing will to leave a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the “residue” left after other bequests are fulfilled.
Sample Codicil & Language (PDF)
How to Phrase a Bequest (PDF)
You can name the Endowment Fund as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), brokerage account, or life insurance policy. This often does not require an attorney and can be done directly through your financial institution’s website.
Trusts are flexible vehicles that can provide sizable tax savings. You can even structure a trust to provide a gift to Calvary while leaving an equal amount to your heirs.
Through a Charitable Gift Annuity or Remainder Trust, you or a loved one can receive a steady income for life, after which the remaining funds pass to the Calvary Endowment.
A planned gift is one that is legally completed during the donor’s lifetime but whose principal benefits most often do not accrue to Calvary until a future date – usually after the donor’s death. Planned gifts are earmarked for the general endowment. A planned gift is your legacy to Calvary. Anyone can make a planned gift, regardless of means or age.
Since 1832, Calvary has been a place of worship, service, and community. Your gift to the endowment helps ensure these ministries continue to flourish well into the future. The Calvary Endowment Foundation, established in 1933, is an independent entity that exists solely for the benefit of Calvary Episcopal Church. Every gift and bequest to the Endowment, a permanent fund, is valued and carefully managed to ensure that the principal remains and grows while generating income to support the church’s operations and designated ministries.
Your gifts to the annual fund support Calvary’s current operational needs and fund the annual budget. A planned or legacy gift is intended to provide the church with long-term financial security. The corpus of a planned gift remains in the endowment. Only the gains from such gifts will be used to sustain and support the church’s ministries.
The Legacy Society honors those who choose to include Calvary Episcopal Church in their legacy. It recognizes those who have remembered Calvary through a planned gift. The Legacy Society is an invitation to join the generational impact of Calvary’s ministry and mission in downtown Memphis.
There is no minimum gift required. Planned giving is not about wealth, but about intention and legacy. You become a member simply by notifying us that you have included Calvary in your estate plans. Every bequest, regardless of size, is a meaningful expression of faith, gratitude, and hope for the future. These gifts help sustain and strengthen the life of our parish for generations to come. Each member of Calvary has the opportunity to help build upon our rich history and ensure a vibrant future through a planned gift.
We understand that your estate plans are deeply personal, and you may prefer to keep your intentions confidential or anonymous. If you have already included Calvary in your estate plans but have not yet informed us, we encourage you to do so. Sharing your intentions places you under no obligation and does not limit your ability to change your plans at any time. It simply allows us to better understand your wishes and help ensure that your gift is ultimately used as you intend.
By notifying us, you also become a member of The Calvary Legacy Society, allowing us to honor your generosity and inspire others to consider leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.