Welcome to the Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church Planned Giving Program and Endowment Fund. We are proud to have established an Endowment with approval by the March 29, 2026 General Assembly.
We are now accepting donations. Donor Commitment Form
What is Planned Giving?
Planned giving is an opportunity to make an offering from your estate or your assets to provide for the future of our parish. This is one of three ways we are called as Orthodox Christian stewards to respond to God’s blessings through our support of His Church. Each mode of giving works in concert with the others to strengthen our ministries and mission.
· Annual Giving (Stewardship) supports the good works of our parish operations.
· Through initiatives for Capital & Special Projects we expand our facilities and programs to strengthen and serve our growing communities.
· Planned giving invites us to invest in the future of our parish, leaving a legacy for future generations, with the establishment of an Endowment.
What is an Endowment?
An Endowment is a permanent fund, the principal of which is never touched, but the earnings of which can be used in accordance with the terms of the trust policies that have been established for the Endowment Fund of Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church of Marietta, GA.
All contributions and gifts are maintained forever and invested. No part of the principal may be distributed; only earnings are distributed. The assets of the Endowment grow through sound investment policies and from additional gifts and contributions. Income from the Endowment’s investments will be expended based on a policy to further the church’s long-term goals, objectives and ministries.
How will the Endowment Operate?
This money will be deposited into a separate fund specifically set up for the Endowment. Any donations through non-cash means will be swept through the church’s brokerage account, currently with Anovest.
Here are some proposed salient points in the Endowment governing documents:
· Governance: The Board of Directors will be elected annually by the General Assembly for two-year terms (first year staggering), with 9 members, including the Proistamenos and a representative from the Parish Council.
· Investment Policy: The Endowment shall remain in accumulation phase until the principal reaches $250,000 as prescribed in the Charter. Assets will be invested to preserve capital and will start to diversify once the funds reach $500,000 and above in accordance with the Investment Policy.
· Gift Acceptance Policy: All gifts received will be consistent with the mission of the Endowment as stated in the Charter. Generally accepted gifts include cash, marketable securities and planned gifts/ life income arrangements. Certain gifts will be subject to review, for example, real estate, tangible personal property and highly designated gifts specific to a particular ministry.
· Distribution Guidelines: Once the accumulation phase reaches the determined thresholds per the charter, a percentage of the earnings will become available for distribution. This distribution percentage will increase incrementally once additional thresholds are achieved, up to a maximum of 5% of the Endowment’s portfolio value, but never in excess of accumulated earnings. All distributions must be approved by the Parish Council. Distributions are intended to fulfill extraordinary needs and not fund operating expenses nor capital campaigns.
What are the Advantages of Donating to the Endowment?
· Your gifts are tax-deductible since the fund is operating under the church’s 501(c)(3) status.
· A planned gift is an offering of your wealth and assets, expanding your giving capacity beyond annual stewardship, which is the first fruit of your income.
· By remembering the Endowment in your estate planning, you can reflect your faith and values and have agency over your assets, securing tax advantages for your heirs as well.