Immaculata Catholic School upgraded classroom technology thanks in part to funds disbursed by the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation. (Tara Hackman | Catholic News Herald) CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte Foundation recently reached a milestone: growing its endowment distributions from $10 million to $20 million in less than six years.
The foundation gives people and organizations a way to provide long-term financial stability for the diocese and its more than 180 recipient parishes, schools and ministries. It now tops $107 million in assets.
An endowment is a permanent fund in which the principal is never touched, but the income from it can be used according to the wishes of the donor organization or individual. Endowments generate income and help to sustain the long-term strength and viability of the diocese and its parishes, schools and ministries.
Immaculate Conception Parish and Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville have benefited from 16 endowments – four for the parish and 12 for the school – with a total market value of over $2.8 million. A little more than $1.5 million has been distributed to the parish and school.
Gayden Gauthier, chair of the Planned Giving Committee for the parish and the school, says a majority of school endowment funds go toward tuition assistance for pre-K through eighth-grade students, ensuring families have access to faith-based education. Endowment resources have made it possible to purchase computers and classroom technology, helping students and teachers remain competitive.
Additionally, the 20-year-old church building receives critical support for lighting, maintenance, computer replacements and everyday expenses. Gauthier is grateful for the generosity that makes these improvements possible: “It is support from the parish community and a source of funding for special needs we have.”
Father John J. Eckert of Sacred Heart Parish and Sacred Heart School in Salisbury says it takes a lot of different people and programs to make a parish run. “There are a lot of needs people don’t know about,” the pastor said.
The Salisbury parish and school have benefitted from six endowments – three for the parish and three for the school – with a total market value of $709,653 as of June 30. Nearly $300,000 has been distributed to the school.
Endowments and other financial gifts help sustain and grow parish ministries, providing stability for both the present and the future. “It’s taking the gifts that you have and providing for the long-term needs of the Church,” he says.
Immaculate Conception Parish’s Father Andrés Gutiérrez appreciates the good endowments do for both the recipients and the givers.
“The spiritual value of gifting through endowments and other legacy opportunities should not be overlooked,” Father Gutiérrez says. “On a material level, yes, of course wonderful things happen at parishes, schools and the diocese. But on a spiritual level, those who contribute also receive such special blessings and graces according to God’s unmatched generosity. He knows exactly what we are most in need of! Through the prophet Malachi, God challenged His people (and challenges us) with this remarkable exhortation: ‘Thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing’ (Mal 3:10). I hope many more will ‘put God to the test,’ in this sense, by gifting through endowments or bequests in their legacy planning.”
Jim Kelley, diocesan development director, said that to date, more than 1,800 people in the Diocese of Charlotte have notified the Development Office that they have made or are making an estate gift or establishing a named endowment to a diocesan entity in their will or estate plan.
Since the foundation’s establishment in 1994, Kelley has seen gifts that range from thousands to millions of dollars, and donors continue supporting the Church through endowments as a way to keep giving long into the future.
Kelley said he is gratified to see these endowments being put to good use for the benefit of parishes, schools and ministries throughout the diocese.
“Individuals or entities establish endowments because they want to provide for the future of the Church,” Kelley said. “Their generosity allows for distributions that change people’s lives and impact parishes and schools for generations to come. We want to encourage parishioners to establish endowments in their wills or estate plans.”
— Courtney McLaughlin
Fund an endowment
Interested in setting up or adding to – an endowment to benefit your parish or Catholic school? You can establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a trust or annuity, or a gift of real estate, life insurance, cash or securities.
For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..