St. Francis Xavier (College) Church, St. Louis

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Roman Catholic Foundation?

The Roman Catholic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity, independent from the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The Foundation was established in 2013 with the goal of building endowment funds to support Catholic parishes, schools and ministries throughout the Archdiocese of St. Louis for generations to come through a planned giving education and marketing effort.

Is the Roman Catholic Foundation part of the Archdiocese of St. Louis?

No. While the Roman Catholic Foundation exists to sustain the parishes, schools and ministries of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity, independent from the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees, and its structure allows for independent operating and investment decision-making as well as the protection of assets.

What's the difference between the Roman Catholic Foundation and the Annual Catholic Appeal?

The Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) is just that, an annual appeal. The money collected by the ACA each year is distributed to the parishes, schools and ministries of the Archdiocese of St. Louis to support them, one year at a time. In contrast, the Roman Catholic Foundation provides perpetual support to the parishes, schools and ministries of the Archdiocese of St. Louis through endowment funds. Additionally, whereas the ACA is an office of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the Roman Catholic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity, independent from the Archdiocese of St. Louis and governed by a board of trustees.

What is an endowment fund?

An endowment fund is a permanent fund intended to benefit a specific organization(s) or purpose(s). Gifts to endowment funds are invested for the long term and never distributed. Perpetual annual distributions are made from investment gains to the benefiting organization(s).

Why should I give to the Foundation instead of directly to a parish, school or ministry?

Your gifts to endowment funds at the Foundation will provide long-term funding to the parishes, schools and ministries of your choice. We do not discourage donors from making gifts directly to Catholic organizations but rather provide an alternative for those who wish for their gifts to have a longer lasting impact.

Can a fund at the Foundation benefit non-Catholic organizations?

The Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri’s mission is to sustain the local Church for future generations; therefore we welcome the establishment of Donor-Designated Endowment Funds and Donor-Advised Funds that benefit the Catholic parishes, schools and ministries of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. A portion of a fund’s beneficiaries may be non-Catholic organizations and/or organizations located outside the Archdiocese of St. Louis, provided those organizations do not operate in opposition to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

What are the tax benefits of giving through the Roman Catholic Foundation?

Tax benefits are not the primary reason most donors choose to work with the Foundation, but our assistance in helping you weigh the tax benefits of various funds is invaluable. Many donors, after learning the tax benefits of their gifts, find that they are able to contribute more than they had initially planned.

Giving Cash: You may deduct the full amount of your gift in the gifting year to offset up to 50% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). If your total giving in a single year exceeds 50% of your AGI, you can carry any excess deduction forward for an additional five-year period after the year of contribution.

Giving Appreciated Securities: Gifts of long-term appreciated securities, or stock, (i.e., securities that you have owned for more than one year) are deductible for the full fair market value on the date of the gift. You do not pay capital gains taxes on the appreciated portion of your gift.

With a gift of securities, you may deduct the full amount of your gift in the gifting year to offset up to 30% of your AGI. If your gift exceeds 30% of your AGI, you can carry any excess deduction forward and deduct up to the 30% limit in the five-year period after the year of contribution.

The Roman Catholic Foundation cannot serve as your tax, legal, or financial advisor, but we can speak knowledgeably with you and your advisors and provide the documentation you need to take advantage of the tax benefits of charitable giving.

What are the Foundation's Management Fees?

Endowed Funds & Long-Term (Unendowed) Funds

1.00% first $2M
0.85% next $3M
0.6% greater than $5M

Charitable Gift Annuities

1.50%

Charitable Gift Annuities – Agency

1.00%

Charitable Remainder Annuity Trusts, Charitable Remainder Unitrusts, & Charitable Lead Trusts

1.00%

There is an annual minimum fee of $250 on each Fund.

ABOUT

The Roman Catholic Foundation builds endowed funds that will support Catholic parishes, schools and ministries throughout the Archdiocese of St. Louis for generations to come.

Legal Name
Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri
Tax Identification Number: 46-3309222

CONTACT

Roman Catholic Foundation
425 North New Ballas Road
Suite 200
St. Louis, MO 63141

314.918.2890
info@rcfstl.org