Planned Giving Options to Support Franciscan Missions

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.

Some friends of Franciscan Missions name us and other charitable organizations as final beneficiaries to receive whatever is left in their estate after providing for other beneficiaries. Others decide to designate a percentage of the assets in their estate for charitable use or to give a certain dollar amount or specific property.

Not always. Even modest estates today are larger than the average estate of past generations. More people find it possible to make a “gift of a lifetime” through their estate after they know the needs of loved ones are met.

See our guides for planned giving

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.

Assets you could consider designating for Franciscan Missions include:

  • Retirement assets such as IRAs, 401(k) and 403(b) plans
  • Commercial annuity
  • Life insurance policy
  • Bank accounts
  • Investment accounts
  • Stocks or savings bonds

Benefits of making a gift by beneficiary designation:

  • Your assets remain in your control if you need them
  • It requires no changes to your will
  • You can change this designation at any time
  • Funds passed to Franciscan Missions are not subject to any taxes
  • Your loved ones can benefit from some of the asset value
  • Support a cause you care about
See our guides for planned giving

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

The information presented on this website is for informational purposes only. Please consult an attorney or financial adviser for legal or tax advice.