Planning Your Gift

Making a Gift                                                                                                                                   
All charitable gifts should be directed to the Catholic Foundation of Maine, the charitable, 501(c)(3), recognized tax-exempt organization located in Maine at PO Box 799, Portland, Maine 04104 with the Tax ID Number 77-0612679.  You can address your correspondence in confidence to Elizabeth Badger, Executive Director.

Sample Bequest Language   Please contact the Executive Director for assistance with bequest language particular to your bequest and code for a particular endowment fund.

Essential Information                                                                                         
Through gifts to the Catholic Foundation of Maine, individuals, organizations and entities have the opportunity to financially support the vitality of Catholic needs, parishes, churches, religious orders, ministries and needs, as well as other organizations, institutions and ministries now and in the future.
Founded in 2003, the Foundation is a separate 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation, independent and separate from the Catholic Diocese of Portland, ME.   The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees, most of whom are lay people, including the Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary.
Gifts and donations may be designated or restricted, partially restricted, undesignated to be utilized at the discretion of the Board of Trustees, to set up a new endowment fund, donor advised fund, or contribute to an established fund within the Foundation.

The Catholic Foundation of Maine currently manages assets of over $29 million and over 128 endowment funds--and we are growing every day. Endowments are dedicated to benefit organizations, programs, schools, churches, parishes, shelters, religious orders, ministries and needs. Endowment funds and investments in them are invested under the guidance and direction of the Articles and Bylaws, goverance, gift acceptance and investment policies of the Board of Trustees, and are professionally managed in Catholic screened investments.   Dividends are calculated based on the performance of the investments and the distribution percentage determined annually by the Investment Committee and the Board of Trustees. Distributions are elected and paid annually after the end of the calendar year. 

The Foundation undergoes an independent audit annually, which has found no material concerns,  and has financial information available to investors and donors upon request. 

If you would like contribution, distribution and financial performance information, please contact Elizabeth Badger, the Executive Director of the Foundation.  Please refer to the contact page.

Ways to Make a Gift to A Particular
A gift or bequest can be made to the Catholic Foundation of Maine for the benefit of the designated intentions, the named beneficiary, or to a particular fund at the Foundation which supports the organization or program the donor wishes to benefit.  For example, one might want the gift/bequest directed to an already existing scholarship fund to support students at a school such as St. Dominic Regional High School in Auburn or the St. James School in Biddeford. Or the individual may wish to establish a new fund within the Catholic Foundation of Maine to benefit a particular need, parish, church, school, or ministry. 
If you are interested in giving to an established endowment, or establishing a new endowment, please contact the Executive Director of the Foundation.

Gifts to other Catholic organizations
Gifts or bequests for the benefit of other recognized Catholic organizations in the State of Maine may be made through the Catholic Foundation of Maine.  Gifts to existing endowments, establishing new endowments, or bequests to endowments will be administered according to the policies and guidance of the Board of Trustees.  Please contact the Executive Director of the Foundation with any questions pertaining to how to make such gifts.

Endowment and expendable funds
Gifts or bequests made through the Catholic Foundation of Maine can be structured as a combination donation, with a portion going into an endowment fund for perpetual support of a designated ministry, and another portion made available for more immediate distribution to the designated beneficiary organization.

Charitable Gift Annuities and Trusts
The Catholic Foundation of Maine is chartered to offer Charitable Gift Annuities as governed by the American Council of Gift Annuities.  If you would like a confidential, individualized, written illustration of what a gift of, for example $100,000., would equate to in terms of your immediate tax deduction, quarterly, annual or biannual payments would be, please contact the Executive Director in confidence.

Family Trusts, Charitable Remainder and Charitable Lead Trusts
The Catholic Foundation of Maine can assist you and your Financial Planner or Trust Attorney to include your wishes to give to the Foundation through your family Trust, Charitable Remainder Trust or Charitable Lead Trust.  These are special vehicles that can provide tax deductions, cash flow, savings on transfer taxes and protections that are attractive.  Please consult your legal professional and the Foundation for more information.