CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte Foundation has surpassed the milestone of more than $50 million in assets.
The foundation, established in 1994, provides a means for people and organizations to provide long-term financial stability for the diocese and its more than 180 churches, schools, agencies and organizations.
Over the past 24 years, the foundation has grown to encompass 255 endowments that total $51.4 million in assets as of Feb. 27. The foundation had reached $40 million in assets just over a year ago.
An endowment is a permanent fund, the principal of which is never touched, but the income from which can be used in accordance with the wishes of the donor organization or individual. Endowments provide a way to generate income and help sustain the long-term strength and viability of the diocese and its parishes, schools, agencies and ministries.
“The endowments in the foundation range from a few thousand dollars to over $4 million. We are also finding that more and more people are establishing named endowments to honor or remember a loved one. Currently, 126 of the 255 endowments are named endowments,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development.
Those who make a planned gift to the foundation, the diocese, or any of its parishes, schools, ministries or agencies become members of the Catholic Heritage Society. The society is the diocese’s way of honoring the Christian generosity of Catholic friends who are providing for the future of the Church in western North Carolina.
The Catholic Heritage Society is comprised of more than 1,100 people in the diocese, many of whom are leaving gifts to the foundation in their wills and estate plans.
The foundation sends reports out to all these endowment holders every quarter stating where their endowment stands and how much is available to distribute. As a rule, the foundation makes available 5 percent of a rolling three-year average value of its total assets. Since 1994, the foundation has distributed more than $8.5 million to the diocese and its parishes, schools and ministries.
One example of an endowment recently bequeathed to St. Benedict Church and St. Pius X Church in Greensboro was received through the generosity of Helen Doyle Black, 98, who passed away on July 27, 2016, at Pennybyrn’s Taylor Village in High Point. She left a total bequest of approximately $83,000 in her will that is going to both parishes.
Black was a parishioner of St. Pius X Church and a former parishioner of St. Benedict Church. Her gift is being split between the two parishes: approximately $68,000 will benefit St. Benedict Church and approximately $15,000 will benefit St. Pius X Church, with a portion going into endowments for each parish and a portion going directly to each parish.
“We are finding more and more people in the diocese are remembering the Church in their estates,” Kelley noted. “Many of them are establishing endowments in the foundation, where their gifts can have a lasting impact. Gifts made once in an endowment continue to give forever.”
For details about endowments or estate gifts, contact Ray Correia, diocesan director of planned giving, at 704-370-3364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
– SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
GREENSBORO — When Patti Ladew, a parishioner of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro, read an article about a proposed Tiny House Community in her local newspaper, she knew instantly she’d found a way for the entire parish to help end homelessness in her city.
The non-profit organization Tiny Houses of Greensboro develops “tiny house” communities throughout North Carolina. Their first approved community in Greensboro would consist of five 288-square-foot tiny houses and one 180-square-foot tiny house. Each house features a bedroom, full bath, living area, and kitchen with full-sized appliances. The first two tiny houses were already funded by volunteers. THG has since been looking for partner organizations to raise money and build the remaining three homes.
Ladew took the article to her pastor, Father Joseph Mack, and received his permission to hold a meeting to determine if there was enough parish-wide interest. More than 20 people showed up for the first meeting. When they met with Scott Jones, THG’s executive board chair, he laid out the “nuts and bolts” of what the parish would need to do.
“He said it would take about $20,000 to build a home on a permanent foundation,” Ladew said.
Ladew and her group got the go-ahead from Father Mack, then sought guidance from Diocese of Charlotte leaders. Their contacts at the diocese could not have been more helpful, Ladew said.
“We started talking about the project (to the parish) before Christmas, but our real kickoff began in February. We got organized and had our presentation table after Mass and we raised about $10,000 in the first couple of weeks.”
Father Mack talked about it to parishioners, encouraging people to consider supporting the project as a way to help alleviate homelessness in their community.
Ladew said her group had received a “challenge grant” of $5,000 if they could raise the remaining $15,000 by the end of February.
“People opened their wallets like it all depended on them to get us to $15,000,” Ladew noted. “People were so incredibly generous that we didn’t need the challenge grant!”
“In fact”, she added, “we raised more than $20,000, so if we want the house to have solar electricity and the city approves it, we could even do that, or we could furnish the tiny house.
“We have just been so blessed by this congregation.”
The final report of contributions was $28,388. Teams of parishioners will build the house on St. Paul Church’s property. The house will then be disassembled, then reassembled and placed on a permanent foundation in the Tiny House community.
The parish’s first workday, to begin rough framing, will be April 14. Prior to the 9 a.m. start, the workers and the project will receive a blessing.
Eric Brown is the volunteer coordinator for St. Paul’s work team and liaison with the contractor for Tiny Houses of Greensboro. John Dahlingus and Glen Martin are the volunteer work crew captains.
— Annette K. Tenny, correspondent
Find out more
At www.tinyhousesgreensboro.com: Learn more about the work being done by Tiny Houses of Greensboro