Will/Estate Giving


You can make a gift that costs nothing during your lifetime.

It’s true. By making St. Joseph Roman Catholic Congregation of Pekin, IL the beneficiary of your will or revocable trust, you’ll help guarantee our financial strength tomorrow, without affecting you cash flow or your family’s financial stability today.

Some of the largest gifts to St. Joseph’s Church have/can come from estates.

It’s easy to become one of these farsighted individuals. If you already have a will, you can add a gift to us through a codicil (amendment). Any asset for which you can designate a beneficiary can be bequeathed whole or in part, such as an IRA and a paid-up life insurance policy. Other assets that you can bequeath include cash, securities, real estate, CDs, U.S. Savings Bonds (especially Series HH), and personal property.

The gift  can be specific – a particular item such as artwork or an amount of cash; residual – for all or a portion of the estate after specific bequests have been distributed; or contingent – which takes effect only in specific circumstances that you define, e.g., if all heirs predecease you.

Because St. Joseph’s must ensure that objects acquired are appropriate to our mission, we ask that you contact us in advance if your bequest is for something other than cash or appreciated, marketable securities.

Leaving unrestricted dollars enables St. Joseph’s to use your gift where the need is the greatest. The language below is sufficient to ensure that your gift is directed to us.

“I give [the residue of my estate] or [____% of my estate] or [the sum of ____ dollars] to St. Joseph Roman Catholic Congregation of Pekin, Illinois.”

Leaving restricted gifts is appreciated as well. If you wish to designate your gift to a specific program or use, please discuss your plans with us in advance to ensure that your wishes can be carried out.

If you wish to make a legacy gift, we would be pleased to work with you and your advisor to determine the gift that best suits your situation and interests. Contact Ann Hart at 309-347-6108 or by email ahart@stjosephpekin.org.