Giving to St. Mark’s

  • Click on the “Donate Now” Button on this page to go to our PayPal portal (you can also donate directly on this link without a PayPal account).

  • St. Mark’s depends on the annual giving of parishioners and philanthropic donors. Making a pledge is the best way to ensure the mission of our church continues.

  • Planned gifts from a will, trust or estate, are always encouraged and welcome. Learn more about how to become a member of the new St. Mark’s Legacy Circle.

Please note this page is still under construction (Jan. 13, 2025

St. Mark’s Legacy Circle

In order to acknowledge and celebrate the generosity of donors who have included St. Mark’s in their estate plans, the Vestry has authorized the establishment of the St. Mark’s Legacy Circle. All St. Mark’s planned giving donors will be recognized throughout the year in “The Lion” on-line newsletter, as well as in the Annual Report. (Of course, the wishes of those who prefer to remain anonymous will be honored.) 

Planned giving is arranging for a gift to be made either during the donor's lifetime or upon their death as part of overall financial or estate planning. It is a method of supporting St. Mark’s that enables the giver to make a larger contribution than they otherwise might be able to make solely from their current income. A planned gift is an expression of the contributor's and their family's values. It is a way of saying that St. Mark’s matters greatly to them, and providing for its future is important. A planned gift is a wonderful way to create a meaningful legacy for the giver and their family.

Planned gifts to St. Mark’s may be made in many ways:

  • Bequest in a will or trust

  • Gift of life insurance or retirement account

  • Charitable gift annuity

  • Charitable lead or remainder trust

  • Gift to a pooled income trust

Planned gifts may be directed to any of St. Mark’s financial resources, including:

  • 1930 Trust — St. Mark’s Endowment, a perpetual fund from which pre-determined quarterly withdrawals are made to support current operating or capital funding needs.

  • 1970 Trust — St. Mark’s “rainy day” fund from which the Vestry can authorize occasional withdrawals to meet unanticipated, critical, financial needs.

  • Capital Accounts Fund — St. Mark’s primary funding source for capital improvements to our physical plant.

  • Operating Fund — St. Mark’s primary funding source for our current fiscal year operations.

To learn more about planned giving options and joining St. Mark’s Legacy Circle, please contact a member of the Investment Committee by email at PlannedGiving@stmarksevanston.org.

Thank you for considering St. Mark’s as part of your estate.

More questions? Read more about ways to give here.

Please do notify St. Mark’s of your updated estate plans and become a member of the St. Mark’s Legacy Circle! Contact the Investments Committee team or the chair directly.

Thank you!

Patrick Furlong (Chair), Christine Coolidge Schultze, Joanna Greene, Tim Heuer, Seth Himrod, Nancye Kirk, The Rev. Greg Millikin