What is a Legacy Partner?

A Legacy Partner is any First Presbyterian member or friend of First Presbyterian Church who includes the Church in his/her estate plans with a planned gift that will come to the church in the future. Such a gift will continue to support the church and its ministries long after the donor is gone. Legacy Partners come together annually at a luncheon held to honor their planned gift intentions. Each person's generosity is very much appreciated and is an example for others to follow.

How can Legacy Partner Planned Gifts help the Church?

Planned gifts are investments that safeguard the future growth and stability of First Presbyterian Church. Endowments in the form of bequests and special gifts provide for the needs of the church both today and after one's lifetime. The allow us to be stewards now and after our lifetimes.

Undesignated gifts will be placed in the church Endowment and Special Gifts Fund. The principal of an endowment will remain invested, but investment income may be spent each year. This means that endowment money will be available in perpetuity. An Endowment provides a continuing resource to meet unexpected needs such as building repairs or to fund new and innovative outreach and program opportunities that further the ministries of the church. Special gifts funds use the principal and interest to support specific areas of ministry.

Planned gifts may also be designated for specific purposes. These gifts may either be endowed or special gifts.

For example, the donor might specify that his/her gift go to The Residency Endowment, which funds the residency ministry program or to the Sacred Music Fund or to fund church camp for youth.

How can you become a Legacy Partner?

You can partner with others in positively shaping the legacy of First Presbyterian Church when you make a planned gift in any of the following ways:

1. You can include First Presbyterian in your will with a bequest.
2. You can set up a charitable gift annuity for First Presbyterian.
3. You can include First Presbyterian in your trust.
4. You can make an outright gift to the Endowment Fund.

Please call Executive Associate Pastor Budge Gere at 734-662-4466 to discuss gift options and opportunities.

You may also download the gift interest form, and the Legacy Partners bequest form.

The full Endowment and Special Gifts Policies and Guidelines can be downloaded here (Word .doc).

"Recently, my wife, Mori, and I redid our estate plans. While the catalyst was primarily our children, it gave me the opportunity to reflect on my priorities and what is important in my life. All of us have the opportunity, regardless of financial circumstances, to make provisions of the disposition of our resources after we have transitioned from this life to the next. In my case, I decided to leave the church a percentage of my estate at the time of my death. Mori and our two children, Sorbie and Roxie, will not be adversely affected by my decision. It was a decision we made together. The best part, in my mind, is knowing that the church that has been such an important part of my life will receive some resources so that other people in the future will benefit. Also, because I am giving a percentage of my estate, there is the potential for the value of my bequest to increase (God willing) if the value of my estate increases." Cedric, Mori, Sorbie & Roxie Richner - June, 2009