Creating the Future Together
by Anita Sanborn, President, Colorado Episcopal Foundation
In 1983, a small group of lay and clergy leaders had a bold vision. They dreamt of providing a special financial support network for the work of the Episcopal Church in Colorado — the Colorado Episcopal Foundation. Today, their legacy provides for the ongoing stewardship of assets to serve every parish and Episcopalian in Colorado. This bold vision, carried onward for 30 years by the Foundation’s trustees and staff, is yielding amazing results.
Inspired Giving: Leaving a Legacy
Legacy gifts and gifts of stock help churches thrive. Parishes from Wheat Ridge to Colorado Springs to Grand Junction have been the grateful recipients of legacy gifts from parishioners who named their church as a beneficiary in their will. Parishes from every corner of our diocese have benefited by gifts of stock from their parishioners through the Colorado Episcopal Foundation.
The Reverend Susan Baker, Church of the Nativity, was motivated to make a will and name beneficiaries after attending Legacy Giving discussions in Grand Junction that were sponsored by the Colorado Episcopal Foundation. Over a series of Sunday afternoons, Susan met with Deacon Teri Schecter until they had both prepared their wills, named their executors, and identified those who would have power of attorney. Upon Susan’s death, her community of faith received the proceeds of her estate — resources that funded vital ongoing ministries about which Susan was passionate.
To learn more about bringing a Legacy Giving Discussion to your parish, please contact Monica Cox at monica@coef.org.
Today, in the heart of Capitol Hill in Denver, St. Barnabas Church is realizing their dream of renovating and expanding their historic church building through a $2 million capital campaign. The result will enhance their ability to serve a thriving parish while providing important gathering and meeting spaces to a neighborhood with diverse needs. The majority of funds contributed by parishioners have come from gifts of stock. To date, the Foundation had handled, free of charge, $1.1 million of stock for this capital project.
The Foundation of the Foundation
Colorado Episcopalians are beneficiaries of remarkable acts of mercy, foresight, and stewardship. More than 130 years ago, the first Bishop of Colorado established St. Luke’s Hospital “For the Care of the Sick and Injured of Every Race and Religion.” In time, and after a successful merger of St. Luke’s with The Presbyterian Hospital of Colorado to form P/SL Hospital, the hospital was sold in 1984. The Colorado Trust was established and both Colorado Episcopalians and Presbyterians became beneficiaries.
By prudent investing and entrepreneurship, the annually distributed funds, entrusted by the Standing Committee to the Foundation, provide operational support to The Episcopal Church in Colorado, cover the Foundation’s operating expenses, and fund significant missional ventures, including the purchase of Cathedral Ridge, the development of the St. Francis Center Cornerstone Residences, and the acquisition of land for church plants such as St. Brigit’s in Frederick. These larger projects stand beside the daily activities of supporting parishes to develop vital financial practices, providing year-round stewardship programs, educating and assisting individuals with making stock and other planned gifts, and developing programs to help individuals leave legacy gifts.
Foundation services are provided by experienced staff and are overseen by Trustees who have expertise in finance, law, business, and real estate. The Foundation manages and invests parish and Diocesan funds and supports stewardship efforts spanning from annual financial pledge campaigns to underwriting individual charitable gift annuities. Its workshops, materials, and individualized parish presentations are available to each of the five Regions of The Episcopal Church in Colorado and to every parish. Together, with your help, the Foundation continues its work in revitalizing parish giving and creating a sure future for the next generation.