Father Thomas Bortz, pastor of St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Reading, Pennsylvania, is an avid baseball fan, having visited several major and minor leagues parks across the country. Fr. Bortz just has to walk out the back door of the rectory and be reminded of the challenge facing his parish’s regional Catholic school. In what amounts to a long outfield-to-home-plate throw away, sits a local public elementary school. While Father…
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Sister Marian Sgriccia, Provincial Minister for the School Sisters of Saint Francis, recognizes that the road ahead for Catholic ministries is uncertain. So, to make sure they are not walking that road alone, Sister Marian and her fellow Sisters partnered with the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania and established two new funds to help secure the future of their ministries and strengthen relationships with their supporters. “Through our partnership with…
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At the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania, we believe in planning not just for the present, but for eternity. Estate planning is one of the most meaningful ways Catholics can express their love for family, faith, and the causes that have shaped their lives. And yet, for many, it is a conversation they avoid out of fear of confronting uncomfortable topics like death, legal documents or thinking “I don’t…
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We are in the thick of tax season, with the April 15th deadline right around the corner! When you meet with your tax and investment advisors to review the past year and prepare for your financial future, it is an excellent time to discuss the strategic tools that can optimize your tax benefits while supporting Catholic causes that matter most to you. By considering charitable giving options such as a…
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Despite the restless market conditions, many Catholic causes that have endowment funds managed by the Catholic Foundation have benefited from donors’ generosity and investment savvy. Donors holding onto appreciated investments took advantage of tax savings by donating it to the endowment fund of their favorite Catholic cause. A sampling of endowment funds receiving appreciated tax benefiting gifts include the: Robert & Cynthia O’Hara Family Fund John Paul II Café Endowment Fund George…
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For more than a century, St. Anne School has been a beacon of faith-based education, nurturing young minds and hearts in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. “Rooted in Catholic tradition, we strive to prepare students for a future of academic success, moral responsibility, and compassionate leadership,” said Rev. Anthony Mongiello, Pastor of St. Anne Parish. “However, maintaining our mission requires more than dedication and hard work — it also demands financial sustainability.” Thankfully,…
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Fifty years ago, ABBA’s new single, Take a Chance on Me, soared to #1 on the UK charts. It may seem an unorthodox connection, but the song’s message resonates with the work of the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania. Over the years, 115 partners and hundreds of donors have taken a chance on us, placing their trust in the power of endowment funds to sustain their beloved Catholic causes. Parishes,…
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Beneficiary designations can be a great way to leave a forever gift to your favorite Catholic cause, avoid estate taxes and lessen inheritance tax for heirs. A person’s life-long impact on the world does not need to stop at their death. Naming a favorite Catholic cause’s endowment fund as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, or on any investment accounts ensures that their impact on the organization will continue long…
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Planned giving has become an appealing means for individuals and couples to create a lasting legacy, allowing them to make a substantial impact that goes beyond what they could achieve during their lifetime. This method of giving provides an opportunity to leave a lasting mark, reflecting one’s values and their desire to support others. During the past 10 years, the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania has been helping people achieve…
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Memorial gifts to endowment funds managed by the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania are a meaningful way for family and friends to remember a loved one who has died. People are comforted in knowing that by making a gift to the Catholic Foundation for their favorite Catholic cause, their gift – and the memory of their loved one — lives forever. People interested in establishing a memorial campaign for a…
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