Faithful Giving

An interfaith guide to planned giving.

Planned gifts are typically the largest gifts received by a charity and can transform religious organizations and congregations to become more sustainable, impactful, and vibrant entities for decades to come. Encouraging planned gifts to congregations and religious organizations is essential at this time of tremendous generational wealth transfer; these gifts also provide an opportunity to enhance relationships between supporters and organizations. Many congregations and religious entities fear that they cannot raise these transformational gifts due to a lack of expertise among staff or volunteers, the limited financial resources of their constituents, or the simple discomfort of addressing ultimate issues with donors. Faithful Giving can help change those dynamics.

The book is intentionally inclusive of Christian and other faith traditions by offering several case studies from a variety of Christian denominations and other religions, including Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and others.

Foreword

Robert F. Sharpe Jr.

Preface

James W. Murphy

Introduction: On Sustaining Religion-Community in America: A Glimpse through a Multi-religious Lens

Lucinda Allen Mosher

Chapter 1. Raising to the Level of Family and Legacy Giving

James W. Murphy

Case Study. The Legacy of Peoplehood

Stacy B. Sulman

Case Study. Legacy Planning in Islam

M. Yaqub Mirza

Chapter 2. Building Trust with Donors and Leaders

James W. Murphy

Case Study. An Invitation to Donors to Be Co-Missionaries in Our Ministries and Missions

David P. Uribe

Case Study. Endowment Program for the Hindu Community

Pandit Roopnauth Sharma

Chapter 3. Choosing Planned Giving Leaders and Other Leadership Issues

James W. Murphy

Case Study. Helping Faithful Congregations Lift Up Planned Giving

Yvonne Jones Lembo

Case Study. Connecting with the Vision

Perkin F. Simpson

Chapter 4. Types of Planned Gifts

James W. Murphy

Case Study. Insurance as a Planned Gift for Your Congregation or Religious Organization

Davida Isaacson

Case Study. Stewardship of Real Estate—Mutual Benefits and Opportunities for Generosity

Randall Nyce

Chapter 5. Raising Awareness

James W. Murphy

Case Study. The Spirit of Sacha Sauda: Five Centuries of Sikh Giving: From Charity to Philanthropy

Rupinder Singh Brar

Case Study. Leaving a Gift of Encouragement

Peter Misiaszek

Case Study. The Essential Phases of a Planned Giving Program

Karl Mattison

Chapter 6. Donor Planning

James W. Murphy

Case Study. Islamic Wills and Islamic Relief USA

Anwar Ahmad Khan

Case Study. Strategies for Planned Giving

Amy Palmer

Chapter 7. Legacy Societies

James W. Murphy

Case Study. Reflections on Legacy Planning in Hawaii

Peter C. Pereira

Case Study. LIFE & LEGACY®

Arlene D. Schiff

Chapter 8. Memorial Funds

James W. Murphy

Case Study. Context for Planned Giving and an Opportunity for Testimony

Sarah Charters

Case Study. Planning Your Estate: What Does It Mean to Give a Percentage? What Does It Mean to Give from Your Heart?

Charles E. Cloughen Jr.

Afterword. In Time of Covid-19

Margaret M. Holman and James W. Murphy

Conclusion

James W. Murphy

Acknowledgments

About the Contributors

Denominational Resources and Foundations for Planned Giving