PLANNED GIVING

About Planned Giving

In the Episcopal Church we believe that your estate plan should reflect your values. Planned giving encompasses a variety of ways to create a gift to your church using accumulated resources. Although planned giving usually involves financial or estate planning, it is not reserved for the wealthy. Planned giving is for anyone concerned with the wise use of his or her personal resources and provides the opportunity to make a considered choice about their ultimate disposition.

Helping Clergy and Church Leaders
The Planned Giving Office of the Diocese helps clergy and leadership to develop or strengthen a Planned Giving Program. The goal? To help build financial resources so future ministries will be assured.

For church or agency leaders who are interested in setting up a planned giving program, we help set up policies and procedures for your program. Then, we help with publicizing your program to your congregation and supporters. And last, we help you set up procedures to record gifts and recognize donors.

In churches and agencies where planned giving programs are already in place, we have the opportunity to evaluate your approach and program to discover what may be missing and what needs strengthening.

We have materials to assist you in supporting your church such as booklets on life planning which include funeral planning, medical directive, wills and living trusts, sample bequest forms, and fill-in charts regarding financial information so your beneficiaries can locate your documents. 

Gift Acceptance Policy - The Planned Giving Program will result in periodic gifts being received by the Diocese. It is the goal of the Planned Giving Program to ensure that these gifts are used in a manner that (1) benefits the Diocese and its Cathedral, parishes, missions and organizations, (2) sends a positive message to the donor, the family members of the donor and other potential planned giving donors, and (3) builds a strong endowment base that will provide for the needs of the Diocese for generations to come.

Funding Future Ministry (A Guide to Planned Giving) - This link for ordering a newly revised, updated, and comprehensive manual from the Episcopal Church Foundation ensures that clergy and lay leaders know the most effective ways to encourage legacy gifts, all set in a theological framework. Whether you're a small mission or a large cathedral, this guide shows you five sample programs to help any congregation start or enhance a planned giving program. 

Helping Individuals
The Planned Giving Office helps individuals choose a gift plan. We also help individual donors in their estate plans and in creating life-income gift plans where appropriate. Our reciprocal gifts return benefits to you that can reduce taxes, increase retirement income and address your family's financial obligations, while they assist the ministry that has been meaningful to you during your lifetime.

The core of any planned giving program is people. Members will benefit from a Charitable Gift Annuity that guarantees a steady income for life while leaving a legacy for their church. Others may benefit from assistance with an issue they may be uncomfortable with – end-of-life planning.

Investment Policy Statement and the Pooled Fund
The Episcopal Church Foundation's Planned Giving Investment Policy Statement - The purpose of this Investment Policy Statement is to establish a clear understanding of the philosophy and the investment objectives for the Episcopal Church Foundation Life Income Plan portfolios (hereinafter, “Program”). This document describes the standards that will be utilized by the Program in monitoring investment performance, as well as serve as a guideline for any investment manager retained.

Pooled Endowment Fund (TECH) - The investment of funds within the Pooled Endowment Fund (the “Fund”) of The Episcopal Church in Hawai'i (“TECH”) is for the exclusive purpose of fulfilling income requirements of The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i, its parishes, missions and beneficiaries, and maintaining or enhancing the long-term purchasing value of their assets.

Resources: Planned Giving

The following information in no way constitutes tax or legal advice by the diocese of Hawai`i.  Please consult your attorney or tax preparer before making final arrangements regarding the transfer of securities, cash, or property.

Learn More - Click on the following links to learn more.
  • Glossary of Planned Giving Terms - Definitions of Planned Giving terms used on this website (or that you might encounter elsewhere).
  • Gifts At-A-Glance - A description of different varieties of planned gifts.
  • FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) - Review some of the Frequently Asked Questions regarding charitable gift annuities. If you have additional questions, please contact the Planned Giving Office.
  • Planned Giving (Brochure) - Episcopal Church Foundation
  • Planned Giving (Booklet) - Gives you a basic understanding and describes the different ways of giving through immediate, deferred or life income gifts.
  • Wills Brochure - This brochure provides you with a few helpful suggestions about to prepare to write your will, with the ultimate exercise in Christian stewardship.
  • Planning for End of Life Booklet - This Planning for the End of Life booklet provides the information you need to set up a medical directive, how to plan your funeral service, and how to write your will.
Choose the Right Gift - Click on the following links to learn about gifts Calculate Your Benefits - Free Calculator
  • Calculator - See the results of your Planned Giving contributions using a free calculator available on the Episcopal Church Foundation website.
Plan - Click on the following links for planning ideas
  • Planned Giving Timeline - A suggested Planned Giving Timeline for your use, plus some planning advice.
  • Stewards of Thy Abundance - Provides information you need to set up a medical directive, plan a funeral service and write a will or living trust.
Become a member - Ho`ike Ulu Legacy Society
  • Ho`ike Ulu Legacy Society (brochure) - Have you remembered an Episcopal ministry (church, program, etc) in your estate plan? If so, you are a member of the Diocese's Ho'ike Ulu Legacy Society. The Planned Giving Commission would like to include you when information about the Society is distributed. All that's required is a minute to complete a form (sharing of the specifics of your estate plan is never necessary).
Publicity Resources
  • Publicity Resources - If you're interested in using some publicity resources, please visit this page for ads, brochures, and pamphlets - all downloadable.

Contact Us

We're here to serve you.  Contact us – our services are free.  We will be here for any support or questions you may have along the way.
Denise Esposito, Executive Assistant to the Bishop, (808) 536-7776 x302
Jane Tonokawa, Chair of the Planned Giving Commission
The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i | 229 Queen Emma Square | Honolulu, HI  96813
(808) 536-7776 | Fax: (808) 538-7194 | www.episcopalhawaii.org 
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