The Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota’s Bequest Language

Many Catholics find deep peace in knowing that their final gifts will continue the good they cared about in life. Including the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota in your will or estate plan is a simple, prayerful way to ensure that your love for your parish, your school, or the ministries that shaped your faith continues to bear fruit for generations.

A bequest is more than a legal designation; it is an act of stewardship and hope. It is a way of saying, “I want the blessings I received to return to the people and places that helped form me.” And when you leave a bequest to the Foundation, you choose the Catholic beneficiary—your parish, a school, a cemetery, a diocesan ministry, or another Catholic cause that has been meaningful in your life. Your generosity stays right here in Southern Minnesota, strengthening the Church you have called home.

Below you’ll find clear, practical information about the different types of bequests and sample language you and your attorney can use. As always, we are here to walk with you, answer questions, and help you create a legacy that reflects your faith and your intentions.

What are the Types of Bequests?

There are a number of ways you can make a bequest. You and your lawyer should choose the type based on your unique situation.

Specific Bequest

A specific bequest involves making a gift of a specific asset such as real estate, a car, other property or a gift for a specific dollar amount. For example, you may wish to leave your home or $10,000 to your beneficiary through the Foundation.

Percentage Bequest

Another kind of specific bequest involves leaving a specific percentage of your overall estate to charity. For example, you may wish to leave 10% of your estate to your beneficiary through the Foundation.

Residual Bequest

A residual bequest is made from the balance of an estate after the will or trust has given away each of the specific bequests. A common residual bequest involves leaving a percentage of the residue of the estate to charity. For example, you may wish to leave 30% of the residue of your estate to your beneficiary through the Foundation.

Contingent Bequest

A contingent bequest is made to charity only if the purpose of the primary bequest cannot be met. For example, you could leave specific property, such as a vacation home, to a relative, but the bequest language could provide that if the relative is not alive at the time of your death, the vacation home will go to your beneficiary through the Foundation.

Why Should I Consider a Bequest and What Are the Benefits?

• A bequest is generally a revocable gift, which means it can be changed or modified at any time.
• You can choose to designate that a bequest be used for a general or specific purpose so you have the peace of mind knowing that your gift will be used as intended.
• 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.

What Legal Language is Needed for Bequests?

Your attorney can help you include a bequest to Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota in your estate plan. We have provided some basic bequest language to assist you and your attorney.

1. Specific Bequest

If you are considering making an outright bequest to Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota, we recommend the following language:

Bequest of a Specific Dollar Amount

I hereby give, devise and bequeath _________ and No/100 dollars ($DOLLARS) to Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota, a nonprofit organization located at 750 Terrace Heights, Suite 105, Winona, MN 55987, Federal Tax ID #41-1691198. This bequest is to be used to create a new permanent endowment to benefit (Insert name of your parish, school or other Catholic organizations or causes).

Bequest of Specific Personal Property

I hereby give, devise and bequeath DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota, a nonprofit organization located at 750 Terrace Heights, Suite 105, Winona, MN 55987, Federal Tax ID #41-1691198. This bequest is to be used to create a new permanent endowment to benefit (Insert name of your parish, school or other Catholic organizations or causes).

Bequest of Specific Real Estate

I hereby give, devise and bequeath all of the right, title and interest in and to the real estate located at ADDRESS OR DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota, a nonprofit organization located at 750 Terrace Heights, Suite 105, Winona, MN 55987, Federal Tax ID #41-1691198. This bequest is to be used to create a new permanent endowment to benefit (Insert name of your parish, school or other Catholic organizations or causes).

2. Percentage Bequest

If you are considering making a bequest of a percentage of your estate to Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota, we recommend the following language:

I hereby give, devise and bequeath ____ percent (___%) of my total estate, determined as of the date of my death, to Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota, a nonprofit organization located at 750 Terrace Heights, Suite 105, Winona, MN 55987, Federal Tax ID #41-1691198. This bequest is to be used to create a new permanent endowment to benefit (Insert name of your parish, school or other Catholic organizations or causes).

3. Residual Bequest

I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota, a nonprofit organization located at 750 Terrace Heights, Suite 105, Winona, MN 55987, Federal Tax ID #41-1691198, ALL OR A PERCENTAGE of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to be used to create a new permanent endowment to benefit (Insert name of your parish, school or other Catholic organizations or causes).

4. Contingent Bequest

If (primary beneficiary) does not survive me, then I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Catholic Southern Foundation of Minnesota, a nonprofit organization located at 750 Terrace Heights, Winona, MN 55987, Federal Tax ID #41-1691198, DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to be used to create a new permanent endowment to benefit (Insert name of your parish, school or other Catholic organizations or causes).

Restricted Bequests

For restricted bequests that will be used for a specific purpose, please let us know. We would be happy to work with you and your attorney to help you identify ways to give and meet your charitable objectives. We will also work with you and your attorney to craft language to accomplish your goals.

If you are making a restricted bequest, we recommend that your attorney include the following provision to give Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota flexibility should it no longer be possible for Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota to use your gift as you originally intended:

If, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota, it shall become impossible for Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota to use this bequest to accomplish the specific purposes of this bequest, Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota may use the income and principal of this gift for such purpose or purposes as the Board determines is most closely related to the restricted purpose of my bequest.

Why Consider Giving Through the Catholic Foundation Rather Than Directly to Your Beneficiary

Many Catholics choose to make their legacy gift through the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota because it provides long‑term stability and clarity for the ministries they love. When you give through the Foundation, you still choose the beneficiary—your parish, school, cemetery, or another Catholic mission close to your heart. The Foundation simply serves as the steward that protects your intentions.

Giving through the Foundation offers several advantages:

• Your gift is professionally stewarded. The Foundation partners with Concord Advisory to ensure prudent investment oversight, transparent reporting, and responsible management of the resources entrusted to us. Your gift will be invested following Catholic values and see great returns over time - growing the gift you've given.
• Your gift is protected for the long term. Parishes and ministries change over time. The Foundation ensures your gift remains dedicated to the purpose you choose, even as leadership or circumstances shift.
• Your intentions are honored with clarity. The Foundation documents your wishes, manages the investment of your endowment, and distributes funds exactly as you direct—providing peace of mind for you and dependable support for your beneficiary.
• Your parish or ministry receives stable, annual support. Rather than a one‑time gift that may be spent quickly or unpredictably, an endowment through the Foundation provides a steady, reliable source of funding year after year.
• Your legacy remains rooted in the local Church. Every dollar stays in Southern Minnesota, strengthening the Catholic community that formed your faith.

In short, giving through the Foundation allows you to care for the people and places you love with confidence, knowing your gift will continue to serve the Church long after you are gone.

Let Us Make It Easier

Please contact us if you have any questions about how to make a bequest to Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota or to request any additional information that might be helpful to you and your attorney as you consider making a bequest to us.

If you have included a bequest for Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota in your estate plan, please contact us to let us know. This helps us to ensure your intentions are followed when we receive the gift and we would like to thank you and recognize you for your gift