Gift Acceptance Policies

General Policies

1. All information concerning donors and prospective donors shall be held in the strictest confidence.

2. Accepted gifts will be recognized unless anonymity is requested.

3. Persons acting on behalf of the church shall encourage the donor to discuss the proposed gift with the legal and/or tax advisors of the donor’s choice, at the donor’s expense.

4. Persons acting on behalf of the church shall advise the donor that it is the donor’s responsibility to obtain and pay for any necessary appraisals and file appropriate IRS tax forms for appropriate deductibility.

5. The Director of Stewardship and Planned Giving, senior clergy, and the Senior Warden are authorized to negotiate planned gift arrangements with prospective donors, subject to final approval by the Vestry. It is recommended that a combination of the positions named be included in these negotiations.

6. The church encourages charitable remainder and lead trusts, but only where another organization or individual serves as trustee. Examples of appropriate trustees can be provided by the Director of Stewardship and Planned Giving

7. If the church accepts gifts of tangible personal property; it shall be on the condition that the church may later dispose of such property, in its discretion. Expenses incurred in association with the gift will be paid for by the donor or reimbursed from the proceeds.

Gift Review Procedures

In reviewing gifts to the church, the Director of Stewardship and Planned Giving will consider the following criteria:

• The charitable intent and ultimate benefit to the church’s mission
• The nature of any restrictions
• The permanence of the gift
• Projected costs of managing the gift asset

Acceptance by staff of gifts consistent with the purposes, canons and procedures of the church shall not require approval of the Vestry if gifts are in any of the following forms:

• Marketable securities
• Cash
• Checks
• Gifts of useable furniture and equipment for the offices and programs of the church (subject to guidelines established by the Vestry)

Gifts requiring review and approval by the Director of Stewardship and Planned Giving, in consultation with senior clergy, the Senior Warden or other committee determined by the Vestry, include the following:

• Gifts of tangible property: Gifts of artwork, antiques, jewelry, and other collectibles
• Gifts of real estate: Real estate gifts require the Standing Committee of the Diocese to provide its advice and consent to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese before a sale can take place. See “Guidelines for Transactions Requiring Standing Committee Approval” in the Episcopal Diocese of NC Standing Committee handbook. Donor will be required to provide a qualified appraisal and environmental assessment (at a minimum a Phase I) as well as a description of the property and such other inspections as requested.
  
  The Director of Stewardship and Planned Giving will review these documents as well as consider any liabilities, restrictions or other conditions related to the gift. These policies also will apply to any other asset that has real estate holdings as an element of its value. Any cost to the church associated with acceptance of the gift will be reimbursed from the proceeds.
• Interest in business entities (i.e., closely held stock, partnership and limited liability company interests): These will be evaluated by the Director of Stewardship and Planned Giving, taking into account valuation, long-term disposition, income production, potential liability and other issues deemed relevant. The Director of Stewardship and Planned Giving may consult with senior clergy and the Senior Warden before referring a decision to the Vestry if a particular gift presents unusual or difficult issues for consideration. An independent appraisal may be required before consideration of acceptance.
• Gifts of Remainder Interests in Real Estate or Life Estates: Can include a residence, farm, vacation home or undeveloped property. Diocesan approval is required (see “Gifts of real estate”).

In 1876, the Convention of the Diocese of North Carolina passed a resolution preparing the way for an Episcopal Church in Forsyth County. By 1879, a small frame building was consecrated and St. Paul’s parish was established.

That small, hopeful beginning laid the cornerstone for the dynamic and caring community we are today. Our community praises God in celebration and comforts in times of challenge. We feed the hungry, visit the imprisoned, shelter the homeless and teach children in need. Together we honor the spirit of our founders as we continue to build a loving and determined faith family. And, like all families, we grow, we flourish and we plan for the generations who will come after us.

For nearly 140 years we have benefited from those parishioners who have gone before us and now we have a concrete way to join in their witness and ensure the future of St. Paul’s.

There are significant and meaningful ways in which to create a legacy that will impact St. Paul’s for generations to come. The St. Paul’s 1876 Society honors those who have informed us of their intentions to include St. Paul’s in their plans.

These future gifts are essential to the financial strength and stability of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. It is true that day-to-day operations are funded primarily by annual pledges and stewardship support, but annual gifts are simply not enough to support and sustain our church.

A bequest, by will and beneficiary designations for your retirement assets, life insurance and living trusts, is an opportunity to make an important contribution for the future of St. Paul’s that does not impact your current financial situation.

The Church’s most pressing needs are able to be addressed with gifts to the Serving Boldly Fund. This fund is designed to accept gifts and bequests in any amount that will be used for general operations of the church as determined by the Vestry. All undesignated planned gifts will become part of this fund; however, donors may also choose to support Serving Boldly Funds that are broadly defined. Gifts to these funds are not endowed and may include:

‍The Worship and Christian Education Fund
Supports music, youth and senior adult ministries.

‍The Building and Grounds Fund
Supports the maintenance and beautification of the church-owned buildings and surroundings.

‍The Mission and Community Service Fund
Provides support for outreach ministries, community involvement and various missions.

Donors wishing to bequeath or donate a living gift of $50,000 (or greater) may wish to establish an endowment. Endowments provide extraordinary and timeless income for St. Paul’s and ensure the financial stability of St. Paul’s in perpetuity. The income is administered by the Vestry in accordance with the donor’s wishes.

Donors may choose to name their endowment to honor or remember a special person, ministry or outreach program.

The Tower Fund endowment is held at The Winston Salem Foundation and is intended to perpetually support the church’s ministries beyond what is possible through annual operating funds. Donors may direct their gifts of any amount at any time or through their estate plans to The Tower Fund endowment.

If your devotion to St. Paul’s leads you to consider a legacy gift, you might wish to explore your goals with our clergy or staff. Please let us know how we might assist you by calling the church offices at (336) 723-4391.

Stock Gift Giving

If you are interested in giving a gift of stock, please email our broker Rob Saunders, Jr.

Account number: 643-108111-056
DTC number: 0015

It is helpful for you to email or call Margaret Turner, Director of Stewardship at 336-723-4391 so that we can make sure your gift is allocated appropriately.

Thank you for your faithful support and generosity.