Acknowledgement of Information Sources

Funding Future Ministry

Funding Future Ministry is a comprehensive guide for church leaders to encourage planned gifts in support of Christian Ministries developed and distributed by the Episcopal Church Foundation.  The Foundations's gift planning services were started in 1995 to improve clergy wellness and enhance congregational health by helping churches obtain the funds they need to do their work well. Funding Future Ministry was written by Charles E. Gearing, now Director of Diocesan Programs, Frederick Osborn III, now Director of Philanthropic Services and Pamela S. Wesley, former Director of Marketing and Education for Gift Planning.

The purpose of this manual is to help Episcopal leaders establish and manage gift-planning programs in their parishes, diocese, and church agencies.  The availability of gift-planning programs will help Episcopalians make thoughtful decision about how their assets can be used, after they are no longer needed, in ways that reflect the donors' values.  The future is only a tomorrow away.  The steps suggested by this manual can help fund ministry in the near term and those things that are glimpses on the horizon.

Much of the information contained in the Legacy Giving segment of this website has been adapted from the Funding Future Ministry manual for use by the parishes and missions of the Diocese of West Texas.  Acknowledgement of the source is referenced at the end of each article.

A Diocesan Gift-Planning Program

Guidelines for Success

This guide is an outline of the essential elements and the steps for establishing a diocesan gift-planning program in collaboration with the Episcopal Church Foundation. A Diocesan Gift-Planning Program was written and developed by Charles Gearing, Director of Diocesan Programs.

The fundamental education thrust of the ECF's Planned Giving Program is captured in the statement of its core purpose:  We invite people to live abundant lives by enabling generosity.  In the spirit - as we encourage the practice of good stewardship, especially with accumulated assets - we seek to inform individuals about the opportunities and potential advantages of making planned gifts to the church.

For additional information about this guide or the Episcopal Church Foundation contact natalie@episcopalfoundaiton.org.

OR

Contact Nancy Stinson, Bishop's Deputy for Development
at nancy.stinson@dwtx.org
for a complementary church copy.