Real Estate Gift to Sustain Catholic Ministries

Deacon Richard J. and Carolyn M. Vehige Family Charitable Fund

Deacon Richard Vehige, permanent deacon at St. Clement of Rome Parish in Des Peres, and his wife, Carolyn, recently turned a piece of treasured real estate into a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) at the Foundation that will support their favorite Catholic organizations.

With a cattle farm they no longer wished to operate, the Vehiges contacted the Roman Catholic Foundation to explore the possibility of using the land to make a gift to sustain the Church. Many options were discussed, and a plan was developed that allowed the family to reduce capital gains taxes and provide as much as possible for the Church.

After sale of the farm land, a portion of the proceeds established the Deacon Richard J. and Carolyn M. Vehige Family Charitable Fund, a Donor-Advised Fund at the Foundation. The Vehiges received an immediate tax deduction for the full amount of their gift to establish the DAF but will be able to grant money from it at their own pace. Deacon Rich and Carolyn, and later, their children, can recommend grants from their DAF to the Catholic ministries they love (and if they so choose, to non-Catholic charities that do not operate in opposition to Church teaching).

The Vehiges’ smart use of land assets made financial sense for their family and will make a lasting impact on the Church. The generous gift is just one example of how Catholics can partner with the Foundation to strengthen the faith community they love.