What Is Legacy Giving?
Legacy giving—sometimes called planned giving—is a meaningful way to support the mission and future of our parish through your estate plan. It allows you to care for your loved ones while also strengthening the faith community that has shaped your life and the lives of so many others.
A legacy gift often does not require a gift today and can be adjusted over time as your circumstances change.
Ways to Leave Your Legacy:
There are several simple and flexible ways to include our parish in your plans:
- Bequests: Include our parish in your will or trust
- Retirement Accounts: Name the parish as a full or partial beneficiary of an IRA or 401(k)
- Life Insurance: Designate the parish as a beneficiary of a policy
- Bank and Investment Accounts: Use “payable on death” or “transfer on death” designations to direct remaining funds to the parish
Why It Matters:
A legacy gift helps ensure that future generations in our parish will:
- Experience vibrant worship and lifelong faith formation
- Be supported through ministries of charity, compassion, and outreach
- Worship in a parish strengthened by the faith and generosity of those who came before them
Your Story. Your Stewardship. His Glory.
Your legacy gift is more than a donation—it is a statement of faith and a blessing for generations of parishioners yet to come. Many parishioners find great joy in knowing that their faith will continue to bear fruit long into the future.
You may also choose to designate your legacy gift to the parish endowment, helping provide long-term support for the mission and ministries of Divine Word Parish.
Considering a Legacy Gift?
We encourage you to work with your trusted legal or financial advisors to determine which legacy gift option is right for you. Suggested language to share with your advisor includes:
“In gratitude for all God has given me, I give (a specific amount, percentage, or description of an asset) to Divine Word Parish, 8100 Eagle Road, Kirtland, Ohio 44094, Tax ID #34-1221941.”
If you have already included the parish in your plans – thank you! We would be grateful if you would let us know by completing and returning the legacy gift intention form to the parish office, so we may acknowledge your generosity and invite you to be part of the Divine Word Parish 2033 Legacy Society.
Helpful Resources:
For confidential guidance about planning a future gift, you may contact the staff of the Catholic Community Foundation at 216-696-6525 ext. 1670 or legacy@catholiccommunity.org.
Additional planning resources, including a free will-writing tool, are available at catholiccommunity.org/legacy.
