You can ensure that the missionary work of the Franciscan Order will continue to thrive for years to come.

By designating Franciscan Missions in your will or as a beneficiary of various assets, you can ensure your values are carried on, creating a lasting legacy. Gifts can be structured to meet your needs and those of your family. And many planned gifts have positive tax benefits to the benefactor.

Wills & Bequests: Your Will Makes a Difference

If you have not yet written your Will or Trust, now is the time. You will have peace of mind because you have made your wishes known and have made all the necessary arrangements for your wishes to be carried out. Without a Will, others will decide where your assets go. With a little planning, you can make a gift that helps us care for our sisters and brothers, especially those on the margins of society who are often forgotten.

If you already have a Will, it is simple to ask your attorney to add a codicil (like a P.S. on a letter) that will state your gift to Franciscan Missions. The cost of creating a codicil is minimal, but the impact will be immeasurable.

In your plan, you can designate:

• a specific dollar amount
• a percentage of your estate
• a residual amount after your loved ones have been provided for

If you are considering making a gift to Franciscan Missions, we invite you to speak with Linda Knight, our Major Donor Relations Coordinator, who is happy to help answer questions.

“I never thought of that!”

Did you know that your IRA offers you a great opportunity to help support the Franciscan Missions while also enjoying some tax benefits? Click below to learn more.

Living Trusts

A living trust is a special kind of trust (a legal entity) that you create during your lifetime to hold your property, money, or other assets for your own benefit. After you have created your living trust, you then change the ownership of your property, assets, bank, and other financial accounts from you as an individual to your living trust. The trustee—probably you—manages your financial affairs, so you retain control over your trust as long as you choose.

A successor trustee is named, who can step in to manage the trust when you are no longer willing or able. Then, at the end of your lifetime, your successor trustee can quickly and efficiently distribute your money and property, avoiding the potential delay and expense of a court supervised probate.

Through your trust, you can name Franciscan Missions as a beneficiary in one of the following ways:

• Allocating an exact amount of funds
• Allocating a percentage of the trust
• Assigning a charity as the beneficiary
• Allocating the remainder of funds, after all other bequests are distributed

A living trust does not necessarily avoid or reduce estate taxes, and it does not eliminate the need for a will or other estate planning. There are costs and other considerations to weigh as you determine whether or not a living trust is right for you. Good and sound legal advice is essential.

If you are considering making a gift to Franciscan Missions, we invite you to speak with Linda Knight, our Major Donor Relations Coordinator, who is happy to help answer questions.

Beneficiary Designation

One of the simplest ways to make a gift to Franciscan Missions is the Beneficiary Designation.

You may also remember Franciscan Missions by naming us as a beneficiary of various assets. This supports the life-giving work of Franciscan missionaries without changing your will or parting with any assets now. It is as easy as filling out a form. You can name Franciscan Missions as the sole beneficiary of your assets or as one of several beneficiaries, which include your loved ones.

When you give, you become part of our Legacy of Hope

When you remember Franciscan Missions in your estate plan, you become a perpetual member of the Legacy of Hope. Your dedication to delivering hope becomes your legacy of hope. Your legacy gift is a symbol of your helping hands. You will continue to deliver hope to people in need for years to come.

We will inscribe your name in our Legacy Book as a member of the Legacy of Hope. You will receive these spiritual benefits:

• Remembrance in the daily prayers and Masses of Franciscan missionaries around the world
• Perpetual remembrance in a daily Mass at the Franciscan sanctuary of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska in Poland
• Remembrance in the Mass at Franciscan Missions Chapel, Waterford, Wisconsin, on June 13, the feast of St. Anthony of Padua

Contact Us for Assistance

If you are interested in supporting Franciscan Missions, we encourage you to talk to your attorney or financial planner and to call our donor relations coordinator.

Contact: Ms. Linda Knight
Major Donor Relations Coordinator
Phone 262.383.2428

Our legal title is:
General Secretariat of the Franciscan Missions, Inc.
P.O. Box 130
Waterford, Wisconsin 53185 USA
Federal Tax I.D. : 39-1396579