Local Parish Endowment Toolkit Strengthens Parishes for Generations

The Role of Parish Endowments in Faithful Stewardship

For many of us, the parish is our spiritual home—a place where faith is nurtured, families gather, individuals find comfort, and communities come together in service. Parishes form disciples, celebrate the sacraments, and foster belonging across generations. To sustain this mission, our communities need resources that support both today’s needs and tomorrow’s opportunities.

Across the country, parishes are experiencing shifts in participation and giving. While parish life remains strong, these trends invite a proactive, long‑term approach to stewardship. As leaders, we are called not only to care for our parish communities now, but also to ensure they remain vibrant for future generations.

One meaningful way to do this is through parish endowments—long‑term funds that provide stable, lasting support for the mission of the Church. With thoughtful planning and the right tools, parishes can sow and cultivate the seeds of faith in Southern Minnesota for years to come.

Access the free toolkit here or read on for more about endowments.

 

What’s In This Article:

• What is an endowment: A parish endowment is a fund held in perpetuity where the principal is grown and the annual earnings are used to sustain the parish
• Current giving situation: Planning for the future is critical as parish annual giving declines
• Catholic calling: As Catholics we are called to be stewards of the time, talent and treasure God has given us. Supporting a local parish endowment is a great way to do this.
• How to contribute: There are many different ways to contribute to your local parish endowment, and gifts of every size make a difference.
• How to start your own endowment: The Catholic Foundation would like to help parishes to establish and promote local endowments through a toolkit. Download the toolkit here.

What Is a Parish Endowment?

A parish endowment is a permanent fund where gifts are invested, and a portion of the earnings is distributed each year to support parish needs. The original gifts are preserved, allowing the endowment to grow and provide ongoing support over time.

Endowments can help parishes:

• Sustain ministries and parish life
• Care for church buildings and facilities
• Serve those in need within the community
• Support faith formation and outreach
• Strengthen long-term financial stability

While weekly offertory remains vital, it can fluctuate. A parish endowment provides something different: a steady, long-term source of support rooted in faithful stewardship.

Why Planning for the Future Matters

Looking ahead requires both faith and prudent planning. These trends do not diminish the faith of our communities, but they do highlight the importance of thoughtful planning.

Recent studies show:

• Weekly church attendance in the United States has declined from 42% in 2000 to about 30% today (Gallup, 2024).
• Weekly giving dropped from 49% of churchgoers in 2015 to 39% in 2023, as giving patterns become less consistent (Vanco, 2023)
• Fewer households are donating overall. Less than half of American households now give to charity, compared to more than two-thirds two decades ago (Giving USA).

We see similar patterns locally. While Mass attendance in our diocese has grown year over year, it remains below pre-pandemic levels. Average attendance in 2025 was 26,106 — a 4.87% increase from 2024 — yet overall diocesan Mass attendance is still down 11.22% compared to 2019.

These realities invite us to think proactively about sustaining parish life. Endowments provide one way to build long-term stability while continuing to rely on the generosity of parishioners today.

Stewardship Rooted in Faith

Catholic stewardship calls us to share the gifts God has entrusted to us; namely, our time, talent, and treasure. As Scripture reminds us:

“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10)

Supporting a parish endowment is one way to live out this call. It allows individuals and families to contribute to the future of their parish in a lasting way. These gifts become seeds that continue to bear fruit for years to come.

Every Gift Builds the Future

You do not need to make a large gift to participate in a parish endowment. When many parishioners contribute, their collective generosity creates a strong foundation for the future.

Endowment gifts can include:

• Cash donations
• Gifts of stock or other assets
• Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
• Estate gifts or bequests
• Memorial or tribute gifts

Each of these options provides an opportunity to support the Church in a meaningful and lasting way.

The Role of the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota

The Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota partners with parishes to steward endowment funds with care. This includes:

• Faith-aligned investing consistent with Catholic values
• Professional investment oversight
• Administrative support for parishes
• Local stewardship rooted in the mission of the Church

Through this partnership, parishes can build sustainable resources while ensuring that gifts are managed responsibly and in alignment with Catholic teaching.

A Legacy of Faith

Every generation receives the gift of the Church and is entrusted with passing it on. Parish endowments help ensure that future generations will continue to experience vibrant Catholic communities, strong ministries, and places to encounter Christ.

“One generation shall praise your works to another.” (Psalm 145:4)

By planning today, we help strengthen the Church for tomorrow.

Take the Next Step

Ready to start your local parish endowment? Access our free endowment toolkit here. 

 

Or to learn more about parish endowments or how your parish can establish one, contact:

Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota
507-218-4098
info@catholicfsmn.org

Together, we can steward the gifts entrusted to us and strengthen our parishes for generations to come.

 

Why this topic? The long-term financial stability of our Catholic organizations was surfaced by interviewees in our 2025 diocesan listening exercise across Southern Minnesota. The Catholic Foundation Board has selected this our top strategic priority through 2030. Visit our FY27-FY30 strategic plan page to learn more.