Ways to Give

Securities and mutual funds that have increased in value and been held for more than one year are one of the most popular assets to use when making a gift to the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge. Making a gift of securities or mutual funds to us offers you the chance to support our work while realizing important benefits for yourself.

When you donate appreciated securities or mutual funds you have held more than one year to us in support of our mission, you can reduce or even eliminate federal capital gains taxes on the transfer. You are also entitled to a federal income tax charitable deduction based on the fair market value of the securities at the time of the transfer. 

Stock Donation Transfer Form

In order to receive a tax deduction for this calendar year, the following requirements must be met:

• If you physically deliver the certificate to us, a representative of the Diocese must have physical possession of the certificate by the end of the day on December 31.
• If you mail the certificate to us, the certificate and the stock power must be postmarked on or before December 31.
• If transferred on the books of the broker, the transfer must be shown on the books of the company by the donor or his broker making the transaction with the company by the end of the day on December 31.

Your employer may sponsor a matching gift program which could potentially match charitable contributions made by you. If your company is eligible, simply request a matching gift form from your employer, and send it completed and signed with your gift. In some cases, your gift maybe even tripled!

Define Your Legacy with a Gift

If you would like to extend your support of the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge to make a lasting impact, there are several gift arrangements to choose from.

Whether you would like to put your donation to work today or benefit us after your lifetime, you can find a charitable plan that lets you provide for your family and support the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

Explore Planned Giving 

Gifts in memory of deceased friends and loved ones – or gifts that honor living individuals – are gratefully accepted.  Such contributions are often used to reflect the special interests of the person honored.  Any gift may be designated in memory, or in honor of, a loved one.

BEQUEST LANGUAGE

Letter of Intent for Planned Gift

BURSE ENDOWMENT 

ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BATON ROUGE 

TAX ID – #72-0550127 

Burse is a Medieval Latin word which means "purse." The Burse Fund provides financial support for seminarians' livelihood and education until they become ordained as priests, a path that can take up to nine years to complete. 

The burse is set up as an endowment. Only the dividend and interest earned on the principal amount can be used. The balance of the dividends and interest pays for seminary tuition, room and board, travel, retreats, and basic needs such as clothing and toiletries. Seminarians also receive medical insurance and a monthly stipend. The cost of tuition, room and board for a single seminarian can vary from $40,000 to $65,000 annually depending in the seminary attended. 

 Shared Burses are open to anyone who wishes to make a gift to an existing burse for any donation amount, or you may choose to begin a new Shared Burse with a minimum gift of $500. A Shared Burse is considered completed when it reaches $5,000 in donations. Shared Burses may be named in honor of Christ, the Blessed Mother, or a favorite Saint. 

Reserved Burses are open to individuals or families who give or pledge $5,000 or more. This pledge can be paid at one time or over a period of five years and may be started with a gift of $500 or more.  

“Sacred Heart Reserved Burse in memory of the Peter Schneeberger Family by Bernice Schneeberger” 

Perpetual Burses are open to individuals or families who give or pledge $25,000 or more. This burse can be paid at one time or over a period of five years and may be started with a gift of $1,000 or more.  

“Sacred Heart Perpetual Burse in memory of Margaret B. Reuter” 

Burses may also be established through a designation in one's will as a testamentary. What a wonderful legacy it would be to know that future priests will be educated because of your generosity.  

To create a Burse or for more information:   
Director of Stewardship Diocese of Baton Rouge
Gwen Fairchild 225-242-0108 or 225-936-5328

Outright cash gifts are the most common form of giving, such as through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.  Your gift becomes immediately available to support important programs and services.  The donor will be credited with the full amount of his or her gift.

To make a gift to the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge, follow these simple steps:

1. Make your check payable to: Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge
2. Write the name of the diocesan fund you wish to support in the memo line (ie: Priest Retirement Fund).  If you are unsure where to direct your gift, call the Office of Stewardship at (225) 336-8790
3. Mail to:

Office of Stewardship
c/o Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge
P.O. Box 2028
Baton Rouge, LA 70821

As part of our effort to secure financial resources for the diocese as a whole, The Office of Stewardship works directly with individual parishes and schools housed within our diocesan boundaries on their own development priorities.  Our office meets regularly with parish priests, stewardship coordinators, school administrators, principals and development professionals in order to stay up to date on the needs of their organization.

There are several ways to make a gift to a parish, parish school or regional school.  The Office of Stewardship can assist you and your advisor in developing a charitable gift best suited to your interests.

You can contact us at (225) 336-8790 or via email at stewardship@diobr.org for more information.