At The Basilica of Saint Mary, planned giving is a meaningful way to express your faith, love for the Church, and commitment to future generations.
By remembering The Basilica in your estate plans, you become part of a lasting legacy — one rooted in gratitude, stewardship, and trust in God’s enduring grace.
What is planned giving?
Planned giving is a prayerful and intentional way to share the blessings God has entrusted to you. Often included as part of your estate plans, these gifts may be arranged now and realized in the future — creating a lasting expression of faith and gratitude.
Through thoughtful planning, you may choose to give from appreciated assets or other resources in ways that can provide meaningful benefits to you and to The Basilica of Saint Mary. Such gifts help ensure that our worship, sacred music, outreach ministries, and care for those in need continue for generations to come.
We invite you to explore the many ways a legacy gift can reflect your values and strengthen the mission of The Basilica for the future.
Resources for Professional Advisors
Designate The Basilica of Saint Mary as a beneficiary of a 401(k), IRA, or life insurance policy.
- The Basilica of Saint Mary: Tax ID 41-0695501
The Basilica supports life-changing ministries and programs in liturgy, faith formation, pastoral care, sacred arts, and outreach. - The Basilica Landmark: Tax ID 41-1754864
The Basilica Landmark’s mission is to preserve, restore, and advance the historic Basilica of Saint Mary for generations to come. The Basilica Landmark is a separate 501(c)(3) organization.
Please consult your financial advisor to determine which method of giving is right for you.
Planned Giving Options
There are many ways to create a legacy of faith and generosity. By choosing the planned giving option that is right for you, you help ensure that The Basilica of Saint Mary continues to be a place of worship, welcome, and service for generations to come.
Your thoughtful gift strengthens our sacred liturgies, preserves our historic church, and supports ministries that care for our neighbors in need — a lasting expression of gratitude and love rooted in Christ.
You can ensure the future of The Basilica of Saint Mary through a bequest in your will or estate plan. By remembering The Basilica in your estate, your generosity continues to bear fruit long beyond your lifetime — supporting worship, community, and ministry for generations to come.
What Is a Bequest in a Will?
A bequest is a simple and meaningful way to remember The Basilica of Saint Mary in your estate plans. Through your will, you may designate that a portion of your assets be given to The Basilica as a lasting expression of faith and gratitude.
A charitable bequest can include a gift of cash, securities, real estate, or other property, and is fulfilled through your estate after your lifetime. It is a thoughtful way to provide for your loved ones while also strengthening the future of our parish community.
Common Types of Charitable Bequests
- Specific Bequest
- A gift of a specific dollar amount, percentage, or particular asset designated for The Basilica.
- Residual Bequest
- A gift made from the remainder of your estate after all other provisions have been fulfilled. This may be a percentage or the entirety of the residual estate.
- Contingent Bequest
- A gift designated for The Basilica only if your primary beneficiaries are unable to receive their inheritance.
- Perpetual or Testamentary Trust Bequest
- A gift that provides ongoing support over time according to the terms outlined in your estate plans.
We encourage you to consult with your attorney or financial advisor as you consider your plans. A bequest is more than a financial decision — it is a legacy of faith that helps ensure The Basilica remains a place of worship, beauty, and service for generations to come.
If you are 70½ or older, you can make a gift to The Basilica of Saint Mary directly from your IRA and potentially enjoy tax advantages. To make the process simple, your IRA administrator can use our sample letter of instruction to ensure your gift is directed according to your wishes.
What Is a Qualified Charitable Distribution?
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a simple and meaningful way to support The Basilica of Saint Mary directly from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
If you are age 70½ or older, you may transfer up to $111,000 annually from your IRA to a qualified charity. These gifts can be made tax-free and may count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). Beginning at age 73, IRA owners are required to take an annual minimum withdrawal from their accounts. By making a gift through a QCD, you can satisfy all or part of your RMD without increasing your taxable income.
A QCD can be a thoughtful way to steward the resources entrusted to you — supporting the mission of The Basilica while also being mindful of your financial plans. We encourage you to consult your financial advisor to determine what is best for your individual circumstances.
A DAF is established through a sponsoring organization, often a community foundation or financial institution. You make an irrevocable contribution of cash, securities, or other assets to the fund and may be eligible for an immediate charitable tax deduction. Over time, you recommend grants from the fund to qualified nonprofit organizations. This allows you to prayerfully discern how and when your gifts are distributed, creating a rhythm of generosity that can extend for years to come.
Many families appreciate donor advised funds because they offer flexibility. You can contribute during years of higher income, involve children or grandchildren in recommending grants, and support multiple ministries and charities from one centralized fund. Some donors also choose to name a charitable organization as a beneficiary of their donor advised fund as part of their estate plans, ensuring continued support beyond their lifetime.
When you recommend a grant to The Basilica, you help sustain our sacred liturgies, preserve our historic church, and strengthen ministries that serve our neighbors in need. A donor advised fund can be a faithful and intentional way to align your financial planning with your Catholic values — building a legacy rooted in gratitude, stewardship, and enduring commitment to Christ’s mission.
A Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) is a meaningful way to support The Basilica of Saint Mary while also providing a reliable income stream. By transferring cash or securities to The Basilica, you (or a loved one) can receive fixed lifetime payments, creating a lasting legacy of faith and generosity for our parish community.
A Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) offers a way to support The Basilica of Saint Mary while also providing financial benefits to you or a loved one.
With a CGA, you can transfer cash or securities to The Basilica and, in return, receive fixed lifetime payments. It is a thoughtful way to combine generosity with financial planning, creating a lasting legacy for our parish community while providing income for those you care about.
Other Assets
- Stocks & mutual funds
- Cash / bank accounts (POD/TOD)
- Real estate
- Charitable remainder trusts
Resources
Community Foundations
There are many local and national foundations and financial institutions that provide donor investment and philanthropic advising services.
Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota
A Catholic partner for charitable giving that helps individuals and families support ministries and nonprofits through donor-advised funds, endowments, and other planned gifts.
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
One of the largest community foundations in the Midwest, offering philanthropic advising and donor-advised funds to support nonprofits and community initiatives across Minnesota.
The Minneapolis Foundation
A community foundation that works with donors and organizations to invest in initiatives that strengthen communities and advance equity throughout the Minneapolis region.
Have you included The Basilica in your will?
When you remember The Basilica with a legacy gift, you share in a sacred commitment to sustain this community of faith for generations to come. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and your trust in our mission.
Those who notify us of their planned gift are welcomed into a special community of legacy donors — individuals and families whose faithful stewardship helps ensure that worship, outreach, and hospitality at The Basilica continue well into the future. It is our privilege to honor your enduring commitment in meaningful and heartfelt ways.
The Basilica Legacy Society
The Legacy Society recognizes and celebrates individuals and families who have chosen to include The Basilica of Saint Mary or The Basilica Landmark in their estate plans. Through thoughtful planned gifts—including bequests, beneficiary designations, and other legacy commitments—members help sustain the Basilica’s worship, ministries, and historic preservation for future generations.
All individuals and families who make a planned gift automatically become members of The Basilica Legacy Society.
Here to Help
We invite you to reach out to The Basilica of Saint Mary to begin the conversation. Together, we can help you create a legacy that reflects your gratitude, generosity, and enduring commitment to our mission.
Planned Giving Chair
Susan Link is an estate planning attorney and parishioner, and the chair of the Planned Giving Committee for The Basilica Landmark. She serves as Program Co-Director for Wills for Heroes, an organization that provides first responders with basic estate planning at no charge. She offers her expertise to The Basilica staff and community and serves as a Trustee for The Basilica of Saint Mary.
Planned Giving Contact Form
Connect with our planned giving staff today.