Your legacy giving partner
Your attention is rightly on the people, ministries, facilities, staff, and current financial needs of your organization. But today’s needs and tomorrow’s legacy are not competing priorities. We help your parish and ministry plant the seed for lasting generosity through outright and endowed gifts. As an endowment grows, it can provide meaningful annual resources for today’s needs—while preserving a lasting source of support for the generations that follow.
Use this information to help you understand existing funds, submit grant requests, and explore ways to grow your endowment for generations to come.
Granted in 2026
Endowed funds managed
Current annual spendable rate
Endowment Funds
Our commitment is to help ensure that every parish, school, and ministry in the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend can flourish for generations through permanent mission support.
Each parish, school, and many Catholic ministries has an existing endowment fund, giving donors a meaningful way to invest in your mission with gifts of any size—either now or through their estate plans.
We provide prudent management of your funds and secure online access through our fund portal, where you can view your fund balance, recent gifts, and grant activity and submit grant requests. You will also receive quarterly fund statements.
Understanding your fund statement
Annual Spendable
Each year—usually in mid-February—an “annual spendable” amount is calculated for every endowment. This amount may be requested to support current needs and mission-focused projects.
Endowment funds are invested in the Foundation’s investment pool, providing the benefit of a diverse portfolio managed in accordance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Socially Responsible Investment Guidelines. In keeping with the Foundation’s distribution policy and the terms of the fund agreement, an annual distribution is made to the designated beneficiary.
The current annual spendable rate is 4.5% of the average fund balance of the past 20 quarters.
Request a Grant
You may request your annual spendable amount in either of two ways:
Paper form: Complete the Grant Request form (one per fund) and return it to us by mail, or by saving and emailing it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Online: Submit your grant request through our online Fund Portal.
If you haven’t yet set up your Fund Portal login, or if you don’t see the option to submit an online request from your desired fund, please contact our team for personalized instructions.
John Kolasinski
Foundation Administrator
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Growing Your Fund
Many donors would consider remembering their parish or favorite ministry in their will—if they were simply invited to do so. When a donor wants to make a significant or future gift, you do not have to navigate the opportunity alone.
We serve as an extension of your parish fundraising and stewardship team by helping with:
- Guiding conversations with parishioners, donors, and volunteers considering a significant or legacy gift
- Facilitating gifts to parishes, schools, and ministries through wills, beneficiary designations, stock, and other assets
- Managing gift documentation, fund administration, and donor stewardship
- Providing workshops for staff and volunteers on legacy giving, endowment growth, and building lasting ministry support
- Advising leadership on identifying and engaging those who may be interested in making meaningful gifts or bequests
- Providing ready-to-use bulletin announcements, website language, and other communication resources
Lynda Houk
Director of Community Outreach
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Communications Toolkit
Check back soon for a communications toolkit featuring ready-to-use materials to share your fund’s story.
Claire Smith
Director of Communications
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Your Legacy of Faith
Each of us has been the beneficiary of those who came before us—individuals who quietly gave so that our parishes, schools, and ministries could thrive today. Through thoughtful planning, you have the opportunity to do the same. Whether you're interested in donating or establishing a fund, your gift helps provide for generations to come.