Cornerstone Society

Parishioner's legacy gift teaches

grandsons generosity

A second generation Saint Boniface parishioner passes along more than an inheritance with his legacy gift. His family has always shared a commitment to the community and provided for Saint Boniface. He wants to ensure that both traditions of support continue, even after his death. He also has children and grandchildren he wants to provide for. He came up with a unique solution of linking generations through philanthropy. Working with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, he established a donor advised fund that will benefit Saint Boniface in years to come. In the meantime he intends for its annual income to also support worthy organizations. His advisors on who will receive the annual gifts? His two teenage grandsons. Several times each year the three men meet to decide where to donate the money from the fund. He says that although they wear shorts, the meeting is serious business, and the meetings give him an opportunity to share his values as well as learn about his grandsons’ interests. Upon his death, his grandsons will continue to distribute income from the fund each year. At their death, Saint Boniface will receive the remainder of the fund. And in the meantime two young people will learn the joy of giving back from what has been given to them.

Unexpected gift ensures a

treasured tradition continues

We received a generous and unexpected gift from longtime parishioner, Betty Bouffard. In recent years Betty had not been able to come to church. But she had fond memories of her active life here, involvement in ministries and fellowship with Boniface friends. Wanting to perpetuate her experiences here for others, she left a bequest to Saint Boniface, letting the Vestry and Rector determine how it would best benefit the church. This gift was divided between our Foundation for Outreach to provide grants for worthy projects in our community and beyond; our Capital Reserve to preserve our building and grounds; and for Holy Cross in Residence – a treasured week-long visit by Order of the Holy Cross brother, Bernard Delcourt, filled with preaching, teaching, spiritual retreat and prayer. Betty’s vision for our vibrant future is being realized, with outreach, stewardship of our campus, and an enriched parish life. 

Providing for family, providing for parish

Florence and Arthur Lindstrom were parishioners many years ago, faithfully attending services and participating in the life of the parish. Their creative legacy plan provided for their daughter, Margaret, during her lifetime and after her death for their favorite institutions – their churches, a church mission project, and local charities. With Margaret’s recent death, the principle of their trusts will be distributed to Saint Boniface and the other named charities. We anticipate receiving $100,000. Exercising thoughtful stewardship, the Vestry will apply these funds to identified current and long range projects that were deferred when the economy stalled. We celebrate the Lindstrom’s foresight and generosity, strengthening our work in the world in Christ’s name.

Leaving a concrete gift

Ed Copland loved Saint Boniface. It showed in the many ways he participated in parish life, from a familiar face at Wonderful Wednesdays to working with the Thrift Shop and its board to ushering Sundays. Still, he wanted to do something noteworthy, something concrete that would endure beyond his lifetime. Working with a representative of the Episcopal Church Foundation, an independent arm of the Church, he devised a charitable gift annuity. (This is a tool created by giving a sum of money that will ultimately go to your named beneficiary, and in the interim provides you with regular income.) Ed’s creative planning, was a win-win. He received an 11% return on his annuity, and left to Saint Boniface a generous gift that helped fund our Courtyard. Many parishioners as well as members of the community enjoy our Courtyard as a place for fellowship, worship, simple gatherings, and for peaceful reflection. And over the years Ed’s generosity will be enjoyed by countless others.