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Making a Gift
Send all donations to the Catholic Foundation of Maine, PO BOx 799, Portland, ME 04104 and identfy the endowment or endowments you wish your gift to be directed to.
CFM is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with the Tax ID Number 77-0612679.
Gifts by Will or TrustYou may always include the Catholic Foundation of Maine (CFM) in your will or living trust. Leaving such a gift may well save tax dollars and be able to pass greater value to your family. Gifts to CFM are deductible for both state and federal estate taxes.
Your will could include the following donation language
“I give, devise and bequeth to the Catholic Foundation of Maine, (the sum of $______) or (_____%) of the rest, residue, remainder of my estate both real and personal for (name of endowment) or for general purposes.” Please consult your attorney or trust advisor, as legal language in your particular instance may need to include other things.
Your gifts make the Foundation grow
Through gifts to the Catholic Foundation of Maine, individuals, organizations and entities have the opportunity to financially support a wide range of entities (parishes, churches, religious orders, other social welfare organizations) and ministries that help the sick and the needy, help develop spirituality and faithfulness, education, maintenance, scholarships, retreats, and future needs.
Founded in 2003, the Foundation is a separate 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation, independent and separate from the Catholic Diocese of Portland, ME. Governed by the members of the Board of Trustees, lay people from all over the state of Maine with expertise in marketing, investments, finance, and the law, the Foundation oversees the assets, policies, and governance of the Foundation.
Gifts and donations may be designated or undesignated, with designations ranging from setting up a new endowment fund or donor advised fund, contributing to an existing endowment, or unrestricted use of the assets for the benefit of all.
As of July 2021, the Catholic Foundation of Maine manages assets of over $35 million through 130 endowments, and 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 is audited annually and follows UPMIFA Accounting standards.
Ways to Make a Gift to A Particular Endowment
If you are interested in giving to an established endowment, you can do online through our online giving section, or sending a check to the Foundation office at the address noted above.
If you wish to establish a new endowment, you will need to speak with the Executive Director and fill out some paperwork that establishes the fund and transfers the donation(s) you will make.
Gifts to other Catholic organizations
Gifts or bequests to endowments that benefit organizations in keeping with the values and policies of the Foundation may be made through the Catholic Foundation of Maine.
All gifts to existing or new 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.
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 portions of a charitable gift annuity would be immediate tax deduction and what would be future payments and deductions, 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.