About the Foundation

Established in 1988, the mission of The Incarnation Foundation is to serve Jesus Christ and his church by supporting the mission, ministries, identity, and vision of the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation through the effective management of its permanent assets and unrestricted funds, the development of endowed funds, and the responsible distribution of income from these funds.

Every member of our church family has an opportunity to build on Incarnation’s exceptional history by making a planned gift. By doing so, you join the generational impact of the church’s mission and ministry in the world. 

Whatever approach you choose, your gift will honor the vision of Incarnation’s founder, the Rt. Rev. Alexander Charles Garrett, as we grow God’s kingdom and ensure a future filled with hope — one that declares God’s faithfulness to all generations, always and forever.

We invite you to join with us. 

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Your Invitation

We are called to use the gifts God has given us — our talents, resources, and lives — to feed his sheep and to further his kingdom. While you have given of your income during your lifetime, The Incarnation Foundation serves to assist you in administering your financial gifts that outlast even life’s end. 

By combining your philanthropic giving with tax and other financial strategies, you can play a critical role in extending God’s work at Incarnation in perpetuity. By tithing your estate, you are making a final statement on what it meant for you to be a Christian.

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What to Give

Cash

A gift of cash via check, credit card or funds transfer is simple and fast with tax deduction options for the donor and an immediate benefit to the Foundation, by allowing us to invest those dollars to impact the mission both now and in the future.

Gifts of Stocks and Bonds

Gifts of appreciated securities, including stocks and bonds are an easy option for making a gift and may offer benefits of reduced tax liability. When you make a gift of appreciated securities, which you have held for more than 12 months, you may avoid the long-term capital gains tax.

Gifts of Real Estate

Donating appreciated real estate, such as a home, vacation property, undeveloped land, farmland, ranch or commercial property can make a great gift to the Foundation. There may be capital gains tax advantages to this type of gift as well as other income tax deductions.

Gifts of Retirement Assets

Donating part or all of your unused retirement assets such as a gift from your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or other tax-deferred plan is an excellent way to make a gift to the Foundation.

Gifts of Insurance

Make a gift of life insurance by designating the Foundation as a primary, secondary, or contingent beneficiary of any insurance policy. Also, if you have a paid-up life insurance policy that has outlasted its original purpose, consider using it to make a gift to the Foundation. For example, you may have purchased a policy to provide for minor children and they are now financially independent adults.

Gifts of Personal Property

Tangible personal property such as books, artwork or equipment is an option for many individuals which may generate tax deductions. Intangible Property such as patents, copyrights or royalties may also be considered. 

How to Give

The following are ways in which you can make a donation or express your intent to the Incarnation Foundation:

Bequest

Designating the Foundation as the beneficiary by will or trust provides flexibility to change as your life’s circumstances change.

This can be done with as little as one sentence, whether you choose to give a set or residuary amount, a percentage of your estate, or a contingent gift that only takes effect only if the primary beneficiary or beneficiaries are unable to accept the bequest.  If your estate plans are up to date, you can also simply draft a short codicil, or amendment, to the existing document.

Bequests can be funded by cash, securities, or real estate.  You continue to control the assets during your lifetime.  Bequests are exempt from federal estate taxes.  If you have a taxable estate, the estate tax charitable deduction may offset or eliminate estate taxes, resulting in a larger inheritance for your heirs.

Beneficiary Designation Gifts

Make a gift without using your current assets by designating the Foundation as a beneficiary of a retirement, bank or brokerage account, donor advised fund remainder or your life insurance policy.  Beneficiary designations are among the most flexible of all charitable gifts, as you can adjust your plans at any time in the future for any reason.

It only takes three simple steps to make this type of gift.

  1. Contact the administrator of your retirement plan, insurance policy, bank or brokerage account or donor advised fund for a change-of-beneficiary form or simply download a form from your provider's website.
  2. Decide what percentage (1 to 100) or dollar amount you would like us to receive and name the Foundation, along with the percentage or amount you chose, on the beneficiary form.
  3. Return the completed form to your plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution.

Charitable Lead Trust

A charitable lead trust allows you to make a significant gift to the Foundation now, with your heirs receiving the trust remainder at the end of a specific term.  You may fund a trust through cash, securities or real estate.  The CLT is used predominantly as a method to reduce gift and estate taxes for philanthropic individuals.  The Foundation will not accept appointment as trustee of a CLT.

Charitable Remainder Trust

A charitable remainder trust allows you to donate cash or appreciated property while continuing to receive payments based on those assets for a term of years or life.  The Foundation receives the remainder.  This is an option that provides income during your lifetime and estate tax deductions.  The Foundation will not accept appointment as trustee of a CRT.

These are just examples of some creative and flexible strategies to consider, both current and deferred. Not every way is equally beneficial to every donor and/or the donor’s estate. Charitable giving is a process. We encourage you to seek the advice of your tax and/or legal advisors in developing your personal estate plan to ensure your unique circumstances are considered when making these important decisions.

Please contact us if you would like additional information about making a gift to the Foundation:

Jill Stephenson, Executive Director of Stewardship:    |  214-217-5648

Bishop Garrett Society

The Bishop Garrett Society was created in 2002 to honor and recognize those who have included Incarnation in their bequests or other forms of estate planning, ensuring the church will be serving God, our parishioners, and the world in perpetuity. 

The Society also acknowledges faithful parishioners from previous generations. Without their generosity and vision, Incarnation would not be the vibrant parish we are today.

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Board of Directors

Andy Welch, President
Zach Wooldridge, Vice President
Rebel Robertson, Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair
Joe Chumlea, Grants Committee Chair
David Krause, Marketing & Development Committee Chair

Members
Cynthia Beaird, Drew Crichton, Dow Crocker,
Jonathan Filgo, Tom Graves, Jennifer Hargrave,
John Klein, Dusty Matthews, Vance Maultsby,
Scott McLaughlin, Jed Nau, Kathy Stone

Ex-officio, Church of the incarnation
The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer
Jeff Sanders

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

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