Category: News & Events

You Can Now Donate from Your IRA and Receive Fixed Payments for Life

Posted on by Kristin Jablon

You Can Now Donate from Your IRA and Receive Fixed Payments for Life

By Michael Morse, Executive Director, Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida.

With the passage of the SECURE Act 2.0 on December 29, 2022, individuals can now establish a charitable gift annuity with the Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida through a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from their individual retirement account (IRA).

Charitable gift annuities date back to 1919 but remain a great way for donors to support their favorite charity and received fixed payments for life in return.  Donors have historically established gift annuities with gifts of cash, stock, or other appreciated assets.  The ability to fund a gift annuity with a distribution from an IRA is a brand-new option.

A major benefit of this new option for donors that are 73 or older, is that the QCD contribution will count toward the annual required minimum distribution (RMD) from their IRA.  Donors will also benefit from the security of a fixed income from the Catholic Community Foundation for the remainder of their and/or their spouse’s life.  Additionally, donors will be providing future support to the Catholic Parish, School or entity about which they care most.

 In order to establish a charitable gift annuity using a QCD from an IRA, you must be at least 70 ½ years of age at the time of the transfer, the annuity can only benefit the donor and/or their spouse, and it must come from a traditional IRA.  This option can only be used in a single calendar year during the donor’s lifetime and there is an aggregate limit of $50,000 per taxpayer.  A married couple can each contribute $50,000 from their respective IRAs for a total of $100,000.

It is important to remember that there is no federal charitable income tax deduction for the QCD transfer.  Also, when using a QCD to establish a charitable gift annuity, the payments received by the donor(s) will be subject to ordinary income tax.

 For donors interested in establishing their Catholic Legacy by supporting the long-term sustainability of the Church, while at the same time generating lifetime payments for themselves, a charitable gift annuity with the Catholic Community Foundation may be a great option.

If you would like to learn more about establishing a charitable gift annuity with the Catholic Community Foundation, or if you would like to learn more about other gifting options, please contact Michael Morse at 941-441-1124 or Morse@dioceseofvenice.org.

Catholic Community Foundation presents 23 scholarships

Posted on by Kristin Jablon

Catholic Community Foundation presents 23 scholarships

Bob Reddy

Florida Catholic

Venice –

The Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida Inc. honored 23 scholarship winners during a luncheon on May 19, 2022, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice. This was the first in-person scholarship luncheon in three years.

 

The recipients of the Mary Fran Carroll, Coseglia, Schaerf, Toner, Schwarz and Carey Scholarships were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements and for their commitment of continuing their education in pursuit of wide-ranging career paths such as education, medicine, business, engineering and more. The Foundation Scholarship Committee carefully reviewed 142 applications before determining the winners. Many of the Foundation Board members were present for the luncheon.

 

Michael Morse, Executive Director of the Catholic Community Foundation, congratulated the new scholars, saying the young men and women are worthy to forever be known as Foundation Scholars. “This is the most exciting thing that we do. Being able to get to meet you as scholarship winners and hear your stories, for us, is a blessing.”

 

Foundation Scholarship Committee Chair Janet Beach expressed an appreciation for each of the scholarship recipients and expressed amazement in not just their academic achievements, but the activities all the applicants were involved in, including the number of volunteer hours they completed. “I see a bright future ahead for all of you.”

 

The Mary Fran Carroll Scholarship provides a total of 15 academic scholarships, each valued at $3,000, to residents of Sarasota County and is available for tuition, books and fees. This year there were 13 traditional scholarship winners (high school graduates pursuing an undergraduate degree) and two non-traditional winners (an adult learner seeking an advanced education after being away from school for a number of years). The scholarship is renewable annually up to a total of five academic years for students maintaining a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.2 or greater, while also making progress toward their career goal. In the past year, there were 31 students who had their scholarship renewed.

 

Mary Fran Carroll Scholar Milana Ivanenko, a graduate of Venice High School who will be studying chemical engineering at the University of Florida, thanked the Foundation for the scholarship and said her goal in life is to “help society fix problems and be able to create something that helps people other than me.”

 

The Frederick W. Schaerf, M.D., Ph.D. Neuroscience Scholarship provides a $4,000 one-time scholarship to a graduating senior from Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers interested in pursuing a career in neuroscience. This was the third year the scholarship was offered.

 

Schaerf Scholarship recipient Arielle Dicang will be attending the University of Florida with plans to be a pharmacist. “Thank you to the board. It means a lot to receive this scholarship; I met the son of Mr. Schaerf at a retreat, and heard his son tell his father’s story, so earning this has special meaning.”

 

The Frank and Florence Coseglia Scholarship provides a one-time scholarship of $1,167 to one graduating senior from each of the four Catholic High Schools within the Diocese of Venice. The winners were nominated by their high schools and approved by the Foundation Board.

 

The Foundation also presented the first-ever Barry L. Carey M.D. Scholarship, which provides a $400 renewable college scholarship for tuition, books, fees, and housing expenses to practicing Catholic High School seniors graduating this year from Catholic, private, home school, or public schools within the 10 counties of the Diocese of Venice in Florida.  Scholarship recipients must be the first generation in their family to attend a college or university.

 

Also new this year, is the James and Margaret Schwarz Scholarship. This provides a one-time college scholarship to be awarded for tuition, books, fees, and housing expenses for a student graduating from Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School.

 

During the scholarship ceremony, the recipients shared their personal experiences as well as college and career goals. Each expressed their appreciation for the scholarship from the Foundation. Many specifically explained how the scholarship money will assist in lessening the financial burden of attending college and pursuing their career goals.

 

The Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida Inc. was established to provide philanthropic opportunities for individuals, such as Mary Fran Carroll, to create lasting gifts in support of Catholic programs and ministries within the Diocese of Venice. This year, the Foundation is on track to distribute $5.3 million in endowed support for Catholic schools, Parishes, Seminarian education, programs for the needy, college scholarships and more.

 

To learn more about the Catholic Community Foundation, please contact Michael Morse at 941-441-1124 or by email at Morse@dioceseofvenice.org. You can also visit the Foundation website at www.CCFDioceseofvenice.org.

 

Mary Fran Carroll Scholars – traditional

Alexis Mendieta, Suncoast Polytechnical High School, Florida Gulf Coast University

Axia Salas, Sarasota High School, Florida State University

Peri LeBonte, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, Tufts University

Milana Ivanenko, Venice High School; University of Florida

Kassidy Saba, Sarasota High School, Florida State University

Chiaralis Brown, Riverview High School, University of South Florida

Mitch Laurone, Sarasota High School, University of South Florida

Napat Sammacheep, Venice High School, University of Florida

Dana Molina, Riverview High School, Columbia University

Charles Nye, Sarasota Christian School, Florida State University

Johanna Patino-Murillo, University of Tampa

Ericka Delva, North Port High School, University of South Florida

Shannon Dowdy, Venice High School, University of Florida

 

Mary Fran Carroll Scholars – non-traditional

Danielle Smyth, non-traditional, Keiser University

Alexa de Gannes, non-traditional, University of Florida

 

Coseglia Scholarship

Trinity Shipe, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, Florida Southern University

Jesse Herrera, St. John Neumann Catholic High School, University of South Florida

Mary Kinnick, Donahue Catholic Academy of Ave Maria Parish, Ave Maria University

Anna Latell, Bishop Verot Catholic High School, University of Florida

 

Barry L. Carey, M.D. Scholarship

Aaron Acevedo, LaBelle High School, University of South Florida

 

James and Margaret Schwarz Scholarship

McKayla Cantrell, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, St. John’s University, N.Y.

 

Frederick W. Schaerf, M.D., Ph.D. Neuroscience Scholarship

Arielle Dicang, Bishop Verot Catholic High School, University of Florida

 

Dr. Steve Toner Math Award

Ella Bartels, St. John Neumann Catholic High School, University of Florida.

 

 

Above – 2022-23 Scholarship Luncheon attendees on May 19th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice

 

 

Written by Bob Reddy, Diocese of Venice Catholic Community Foundation presents 23 scholarships – Diocese of Venice

 

Catholic Community Foundation Presents 17 Scholarships

Posted on by Michael Morse

Bishop Frank J. Dewane, joined by board members of the Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida Inc., led a virtual presentation ceremony May 27, 2021, from the Catholic Center in Venice to honor 17 foundation scholarship winners.

The recipients of the Mary Fran Carroll, Coseglia, and Schaerf scholarships were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements and for their commitment of continuing their education in pursuit of wide-ranging career paths such as education, medicine, business, engineering, and more.  The Foundation Scholarship Committee carefully reviewed 97 applications before determining the worthiest applicants.

Bishop Dewane opened the presentation with prayer and said he was impressed with the new Foundation Scholars noting their academic success and ambition to seek out distinctive goals.  “God has blessed you each with different gifts.  Enjoy what you are going to do but keep an eye on that goal.”

Michael Morse, Executive Director of the Catholic Community Foundation, congratulated the new scholars, saying the young men and women are worthy to forever be known as Foundation Scholars.  “Every one of you, from what we learned, is unique, special, strong and smart; embrace that.”

The Mary Fran Carroll Scholarship provides a total of 11 academic scholarships, each valued at $3,000, to residents of Sarasota County and is available for tuition, books, and fees.  This year there were 10 traditional scholarship winners (high school graduates or recent high school graduates pursuing an undergraduate degree) and one non-traditional winner (an adult learner seeking an advanced education after being away from school for a number of years).  The scholarship is renewable annually up to a total of five academic years for those students who maintain their eligibility.

The Frank and Florence Coseglia Scholarship provides a one-time scholarship of $1,100 to one graduating senior from each of the four Catholic High Schools within the Diocese of Venice.  The winners were nominated by their high schools and selected by the Foundation Scholarship Committee.

The Frederick W. Schaerf, M.D., Ph.D. Neuroscience Scholarship provides a $4,000 one-time scholarship to a graduating senior from Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers interested in pursuing a career in Neuroscience or similar field.  This was the second year the scholarship was offered.

The Foundation also presented a one-time Foundation Scholarship for $7,500 to a graduating senior from Bishop Verot, which was offered by an anonymous family at the school.

During the virtual scholarship ceremony, the recipients shared their personal experiences as well as college and career goals.  Each expressed their appreciation for the scholarship from the Foundation.  Many specifically explained how the scholarship money will assist in lessening the financial burden of attending college and pursuing their career goals.

If you are interested in learning more about supporting an existing scholarship fund or establishing your own named scholarship fund with the Catholic Community Foundation, please contact Michael Morse at 941-441-1124 or by email at Morse@dioceseofvenice.org.

Virtual Life Planning Seminars

Posted on by Kristin Jablon

Registration is Open Now!

Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida, Inc.
Virtual Life Planning Seminars 2020
June 24th , June 25th, June 26th

Life Planning Seminar Information
Due to the coronavirus, many Parishes in the Sarasota, Collier, Lee, Charlotte and surrounding counties had to postpone the Life Planning Seminar that were originally scheduled at different parishes around the counties for this past spring. As a result of the numerous requests, the Catholic Community Foundation has scheduled these seminars virtually through Zoom Meetings. Going virtual will allow the attendees to view and learn right from the safety of their own homes.

Event Topics
Topics of discussion for these events are relative to those entering their senior years, already in their senior years, and those who care for senior relatives or friends. The Virtual Life Planning Seminar will allow those to obtain important information on
1. Making a will
2. Who can make health care decisions on my behalf?
3. Is my will from another state valid in Florida?
4. How can I leave my assets to my family?
5. Is there a more beneficial way to make donations?

Who will be presenting?
The interactive webinar will feature a local Catholic Estate Attorney, a local Catholic Financial Advisor and the Executive Director of the Catholic Community Foundation who will provide the participants with the knowledge they need to make critical health, legal and financial decisions.

Where can I register ?
All attendees will need to register ahead of time in order to join the meeting. Once registered the Catholic Community Foundation will send you an informative information sheet that can be used to help sign up with Zoom Meetings and contact information for the day of the event.
To register for the Virtual Life Planning Seminar:

Contact Information:
You can contact Kristin at the Catholic Community Foundation with any questions that you may have.
Kristin Office: 941-486-4722
E-mail: ccf@dioceseofvenice.org

Website: 
http://www.ccfdioceseofvenice.org

Annual Report

Posted on by Michael Morse

FY 2018-19 Annual Report

CARES Act Benefits Donors

Posted on by Michael Morse

By Michael Morse – 4/9/2020

Throughout the Diocese of Venice and around the world, we are witnessing incredible acts of kindness, faith and generosity.  Faithful Catholics are helping one another, praying for each other and supporting those in need during these unprecedented times. We are so grateful that even in the midst of an economic crisis, individuals and families continue to support the Parishes, schools, programs and ministries of the Diocese of Venice.

As many people know, the Federal government recently passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).  However, most people are not aware that the CARES Act provides some additional tax benefits to those who donate to churches and other charitable organizations in 2020.

One of the new tax benefits will make it possible to take an above-the-line deduction for qualified charitable contributions up to $300 for the 90% of taxpayers who do not claim itemized deductions on their federal income tax returns.

The CARES Act also relaxes some of the limits on charitable contributions.  There are not many people with the ability to donate most of their income to charities, but for those that do, they can now get an increased Federal income tax deduction for qualified charitable contributions.  Just for 2020, the deduction limit has been increased from 60% to 100% of a donor’s Adjusted Gross Income.  In addition, the limitation on corporate donors has been increased from 10% to 25% of taxable income.  Corporations can also increase their food donations from 15% to 25% of taxable income.

These income tax changes were included by the Federal government to help individuals and families continue their support during this pandemic for the charitable organizations about which they care most, including the Church.  As stated in Bishop Frank Dewane’s recent letter to the Faithful about the coronavirus, “As your Bishop, I am always edified and grateful for the generosity of the Faithful, particularly at difficult times…be confident that Christ is with us always and that the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph are interceding for us.  Take courage and trust in God during this time of many challenges.”

To learn more about the Catholic Community Foundation, please contact Michael Morse at 941-441-1124 or by email at Morse@dioceseofvenice.org.  You can also visit the Foundation website at www.CCFDioceseofvenice.org.

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