On a rare snowy evening in 1944, fifty-nine people gathered in a vacant section of a shopping center across from what is now the Windsor campus to begin what would become The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Since that night, thousands have followed in their footsteps—worshiping, studying, serving, and discovering the love of Christ through this parish community. The traditions of the parish—from the Christmas Bazaar and Friday night dances to the Christmas Giving Tree, daily Lenten worship and outreach ministries—reflect more than eighty years of faithful life together. Today Good Shepherd is a vibrant parish serving Austin through worship, formation and outreach across two campuses. Planned giving allows you to help ensure that this parish community continues to flourish for generations to come. Your gift to the Good Shepherd endowment will provide permanent support for what you value.
Throughout its history, Good Shepherd has been shaped by the generosity and vision of its parishioners. Over the last twenty years, the parish and its mission have grown significantly, and the parish’s facilities have also grown to support the expanded congregation. Endowments commensurate with the parish’s size and expansive mission are crucial for Good Shepherd’s future.
Endowments provide stable long-term financial support for our ministry and mission. They allow the parish to respond to unanticipated needs and to say yes to new ministries and opportunities. They allow parish leadership to think and plan over a longer-term.
Good Shepherd is blessed with wonderful facilities – facilities that enable our ministries. As our facilities age, maintenance expenses will increase. Endowed support will help the parish meet these expenses without compromising future ministries. Endowments provide important stability during challenging times. For example, at the beginning of the pandemic, Good Shepherd’s endowment helped fund livestreaming equipment – an unanticipated expense that quickly became essential for the parish. Endowment assets provide continuity and stability to ensure that the parish’s mission continues regardless of the circumstances.
Currently Good Shepherd’s endowments are small compared to many similarly sized Episcopal parishes. Because of your continued generosity and vision, we hope that over time parish endowments grow from assets of approximately $5 million now to assets of approximately $20 million. This amount will help provide long-term stability for the parish.
We believe that Good Shepherd’s mission extends beyond this moment. We believe that God is calling Good Shepherd to an exciting and unfolding future. A gift through your estate plan helps ensure that God’s work here continues for future generations.
In 1968 parishioners established the Good Shepherd Endowment Foundation, a trust created to support the long-term mission and ministry of the parish. The trust is governed by seven trustees—five appointed by the vestry, plus the rector and senior warden. In 2018 the Good Shepherd Music Endowment was established to support the parish’s rich tradition of worship and sacred music. The parish finance committee and vestry oversee the music endowment.
Good Shepherd’s endowments are invested in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas’ Participating Fund. The Episcopal Diocese of Texas holds nearly $2 billion in endowment assets for the diocese, parishes and other church institutions, and its investment advisors manage large foundations, university endowments, and large family offices. We benefit from the professional, institutional management that this large fund provides and from its long-term investment strategy.
The Shepherd Society recognizes parishioners who have included Good Shepherd in their estate plans.
Members of the Shepherd Society share a commitment to the future of the parish and its ministries. By joining the Shepherd Society, you help ensure that Good Shepherd’s mission—worshiping God, forming disciples, and serving our neighbors—continues for generations to come.
Membership simply involves informing the parish that you have included Good Shepherd in your estate plans. The planned giving letter of intent asks whether the parish can recognize you as a member of the Shepherd Society.
A planned gift expresses your faith and gratitude by supporting the ministries that have shaped your life. It allows you to continue to support what you value and love, even after your death.
Depending on the type of gift, planned giving may reduce estate taxes, reduce capital gains taxes, provide income tax deductions, or provide income for you or loved ones.
Many planned gifts allow you to retain control of your assets during your lifetime.
Some of the most meaningful gifts are also the easiest to arrange.
One of the most common planned gifts is a bequest. You may leave a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder of your estate after other gifts are distributed. Because this gift occurs after your lifetime, it does not affect your current financial situation.
You may name Good Shepherd as a beneficiary of:
• retirement accounts (IRA, 401(k), 403(b))
• life insurance policies
• donor-advised funds
• brokerage or bank accounts
Many donors choose to designate tax-deferred retirement accounts (such as a traditional IRA or 401(k)) for charitable gifts because these accounts may be taxed significantly if they are passed to heirs. If you leave assets from a retirement account to Good Shepherd, the parish will receive the full amount of the assets you leave to the parish– your gift will not be reduced by taxes.
Some planned gifts allow you to support the church while receiving income during your lifetime. Examples include charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and pooled income funds. These arrangements can provide income for you or your loved ones while ultimately benefiting Good Shepherd. These gifts may also provide tax advantages for you during your lifetime.
You may also make a planned gift using assets such as real estate or other property. These gifts may also provide tax advantages for you or your estate.
I give to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Austin, Texas, the sum of $__________________________ (or__________________________ percent of my estate) to be used for its general purposes.
I give to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Austin, Texas,__________________________ percent of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate.
I give to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Austin, Texas, the sum of $__________________________ to be added to the Good Shepherd Endowment Foundation (or to the Good Shepherd Music Endowment).
Your attorney or financial advisor can help determine the best approach for you, and we recommend seeking the advice of your attorney or financial advisor.
Good Shepherd’s story began with fifty-nine faithful people gathered in hope. Today the parish continues to grow, serve the community, and share the Gospel across Austin. Planned giving allows each of us to help shape the next chapter of that story. Through your legacy gift, future generations will continue to discover the love of Christ through this parish community.
