The impact of the Trinity Foundation
The Trinity Foundation was established for the long-term enhancement of Trinity Cathedral and its missions.
The parish's annual operating budget is comprised mainly of pledges─the focus of the annual stewardship campaign─and offerings from various services. So, the budget, which covers normal operating expenses for the Cathedral, increases only as annual giving increases.
Fortunately, the Trinity Foundation enables Trinity to reach beyond the scope of the budget for special purposes and projects. The Foundation is funded by gifts and bequests from many who have chosen to invest beyond their annual giving in Trinity’s future. Some make gifts during their lifetime, and others have chosen to name Trinity as a beneficiary in their wills, IRAs, or other estate planning instruments.
These gifts have enabled the Foundation to grow to just over $17 million and make a profound impact on Trinity and its reach into the community. A few examples of how some recent gifts have been used:
- Undesignated gifts (gifts not directed to a specific fund) generally become part of the general endowment fund. Annually, 75% of the spendable income from this fund is used for mission and outreach.
- The foundation was instrumental in the development, implementation, and funding of the new Trinity website.
- A gift from Betty Brandon several years ago, funded the renovation of the Daughters’ Room.
- New landscaping in the Cathedral courtyard installed before Easter was made possible by a gift from the estate of George Betsill.
- Most recently, extensive outside painting and repairs to stucco and windows was partially funded by a bequest from Mamie Williamson.
- The organ maintenance fund was recently fully endowed thanks to bequests from George Betsill and Susan and Bob Dewey.
These represent only a few of the many projects that could not have been accomplished without the generosity of many, known Legacy Builders, who preceded us.
Anyone can become a Legacy Builder, but who are they? Legacy Builders are individuals and/or couples who, in their estate planning (wills or their codicils, IRAs, etc.) have chosen to name the Trinity Foundation as a beneficiary of a portion of their estate. The amount–small or large–is known only to the person(s) making the designation, not to the Trinity Foundation, and can be undesignated or designated to one of many funds listed in the Trinity Foundation funds description document. Submission of the completed Estate Planning Designation Form informs the Foundation of your desire to impact Trinity’s future for years to come.
Learn more about the Trinity Foundation on our website, or by emailing Tammy Harrell in the Foundation office. Questions should be directed to Foundation President Mary Weston or one of the other Commissioners.