Ways of Making Gifts

There are many ways of making an offering or a gift to support the Church, our schools, ministries and other charitable projects.  While making a gift is a matter of faith, making your gift in the most beneficial way possible is a matter of good sense.  There are several means by which you can make your gift(s), each with its own special tax treatment.  You can choose the one that works best for you.  You may make gifts in several ways, including:

An Outright Gift of Cash (including checks)

You may always make a contribution by cash or check.  In order to receive a charitable gift receipt, St. Mary's must be able to identify you as the donor of such gifts.  For this reason we encourage you to make your regular offerings by means of your weekly and special offering envelopes.  Using a check always helps us identify you as the donor and this helps greatly with receipting.  Remember, when making a special offering (for mission appeals, Peter's Pence, Catholic Ministries Appeal, etc.) please specify how you would like the funds used by clearly annotating the memo column of your check.

Regularly Scheduled Offerings by Credit Cards

St. Mary's is able to accept your regular and special offerings by credit card on a once-a-month charge basis.  By providing us with your name (as it appears on the card), your card number and expiration date, as well as the address at which you receive your monthly statements we can process a monthly charge at the level you indicate.  Parishioners often select this method of offering to ensure they do not miss offerings if they cannot attend mass at St. Mary's each week.  This method provides a wonderful record of your giving for charitable receipting purposes and if your card provider allows, it rewards your use of the card with air miles and/or other benefits.  To enroll in the monthly credit card offering program please contact Bonnee Yannaco in the Parish Office at (516) 627-0385 ext 1008. 

The Gift of Publicly Traded Securities (stocks)

The gift of publicly traded securities is often a wise way to make a charitable donation to The Church of St. Mary (including St. Mary's Elementary School, St. Mary's College Preparatory High School, our Catholic Ministries appeal) or any other IRS designated 501(c)(3) charity.  When you choose to make a gift of highly appreciated securities you may be able to significantly reduce your capital gains taxes.  Therefore, your gift of securities allows you to achieve the same giving amount as cash butcan provide much greater tax benefits and relief.

To learn more about making a gift of publicly traded securities, please contact Theresa Perrella in the Development Office at (516) 627-0385 ext 1160. 

Creating Your Legacy of Faith (Estate Planning & Wills)

The following are samples of language that can be included in your Will to benefit The Church of St. Mary (or one of our schools). Gifts of all sizes are encouraged and your thoughtfulness appreciated.

A testamentary gift in your Will is an excellent way to create a Legacy of Faith that will survive you and speak to your faith and Christian generosity amongst future generations.  You have great flexibility in how you make your gift.  You may specify a certain amount, direct a gift to benefit a particular ministry or one of our schools, make a gift to the endowment fund from which St. Mary's will benefit from the return-on-investment income in perpetuity, and/or simply remember us last - that is, if any proceeds are left in your estate after your beneficiaries have received their distribution, you can direct that St. Mary's will become the beneficiary of that remainder or "residue". 

Before making your gift intentions part of your estate plans, please feel free to contact the Development Office to discuss your plans.  Not only can we be helpful, but making your intentions known so that we might thank you and ensure your Legacy of Faith is administered in accordance with your wishes.  As will any decision pertaining to your estate it is always advisable to seek the independent advice of your personal legal and/or financial advisor.

For more information, please contact Theresa Perrella in the Development Office at (516) 627-0385 ext 1160. 

Sample, Testamentary Gift Language for Your Will

1. General Bequest
I give and bequeath to The Church of St. Mary of Manhasset, New York, the sum of $____________ (and /or the securities or other property described herein, namely, ________________________), as an unrestricted gift to be held, used and expended as directed according to the needs of the parish (you may also designate such a gift for one of our schools).

2. Bequest to Parish Endowment Fund - Income Only To Be Used
I give and bequeath to The Church of St. Mary of Manhasset, New York, the sum of $____________ (and/or the securities or other property described herein, namely, _____________________), as a permanent fund to be invested and reinvested in its discretion and the income only issuing therefrom may be used as directed by the parish (you may also designate such a gift for one of our schools).

3. Residuary Bequest (If any assets remain in estate after your loved ones first benefit)
All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, of whatsoever nature and wheresoever situated, including all property which I may acquire or become entitled to after the execution of this Will, and including all lapsed legacies and devises or other gifts made by this will which fail for any reason (but excluding any property over which I may have any power of appointment), I give, devise and bequeath to The Church of St. Mary of Manhasset, New York, as an unrestricted gift to be held, used and expended as directed according to the needs of the parish (you may also designate such a gift for one of our schools or particular ministries).