Legacy Giving
The Blessing of Legacy Giving
A will or estate plan is a statement of what we love or value most. We trust that the love and value we hold for others continues even as we pass from this earthly existence.
Our Lord, responding to a challenge to name the greatest commandment declares: “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment.” (Matthew 22:37, 38) We have shown our love for God in Christ through our participation in the worship and ministry at First Presbyterian Church – some for many years, others for but a short time. In our worship, giving, study, fellowship, prayers, and service we declare our love for Christ as well as for our neighbor.
The apostle reminds us that we do not live for ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves, or in the opening words of the Brief Statement of Faith of our denomination: In life and in death we belong to God. First Presbyterian Church offers us an opportunity to serve God beyond our own span of years through Legacy giving. Many church members have been moved to serve God in life and in death through gifts to the church's endowment funds or through their estates. Have you considered joining them?
First Presbyterian Church offers four ways to leave a financial legacy for Christ’s work – while we live and after we pass on to join the Church Triumphant. You can either contribute directly to one of our congregation’s endowment funds OR you can remember the church in your will or estate plan.
The First Presbyterian Church Permanent Endowment Fund
Session created this Endowment over 20 years ago. You can donate to this fund directly or through your estate plan. This fund maintains and invests the donations, and the session uses only income from the investments for ministry - now and in the future. Usually, the session uses the income from the fund to support ministries above and beyond the current giving and budget of the church. Over the years the income raised by the endowment has been used for mission and outreach, nurture, facilities and more.
The First Presbyterian Church Facilities Endowment Fund
In 2023 the session approved the establishment of this fund “to support the facilities and property” of the church. Like the Permanent Endowment, you can donate directly to the fund or include it in your estate plan. The fund maintains and invests the donations, and the session uses only the income from the investments to maintain and update the facilities. Our beautiful and well-used facilities need to be kept in good shape in order that believers have a well maintained and beautiful sanctuary, up-to-date technology, comfortable classroom for all ages, and beautiful areas like the Gathering space for members and visitors to experience the hospitality of Christian community. As the fund increases in size, we expect that more and more of the annual facility expenses can also be paid from it. This will allow the session and staff to devote more of the annual budget to mission and ministry.
The Non-Permanent Special Purpose Fund
This Special Purpose Fund allows individuals and families to direct their gifts to specific areas of the congregation’s mission depending on Session approval. For administrative reasons, the recommended minimum size of restricted gifts to this fund should be $25,000. You can include your gifts in an estate plan or give directly to the fund. Unlike the two endowment funds, both the income and principal of this fund can be accessed by the session for the specified ministry for which the money is given.
Remembering First Presbyterian Church in Your Will
Many members over the years have named First Presbyterian Church Hilton Head Island in their wills. Bequests will be used by session in support of Christ’s work through First Presbyterian Church.
For more information about a Legacy Gift or if you have already named the church as a beneficiary in your estate plan, please contact the church office: (843) 681-3696. All discussions are confidential and without obligation… and all gifts are welcome!
We advise that you seek counsel from your financial advisor/attorney.
