bequests & other ways to give
There are many ways to plan your gift to the Pontifical College Josephinum, all of which honor your personal needs while also supporting the mission of the seminary. Planned giving aligns with the prayerful vision of our founder, Monsignor Joseph Jessing, whose tireless efforts to cultivate financial support for his beloved Josephinum fulfilled his vow to provide for all qualified applicants regardless of their financial means. We are proud to continue that tradition today.
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Bequest in Your Will or Trust
Naming the Josephinum as a beneficiary in your last will and testament is one of the greatest honors you can bestow on this historic institution. Whether you are an alumnus, parent(s) of an alumnus, a volunteer, a Friend, or an ambassador - remembering the Josephinum in your will helps to further Monsignor Jessing's vision for a pontifical seminary that is fully equipped to prepare the next generation of men for the priesthood. A gift from your estate helps the Josephinum in its planning for the future and also ensures that your gift is properly designated when it is received.
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Bequests from your estate may be specified in dollar (USD) amounts, a percentage, a part, or 100% of your estate after settlement of any obligations. Such bequests are deductible for estate and gift tax purposes, so please consult with a tax advisor. The following is a brief wording of how the Josephinum may be included in your will for the first time or in a codicil to your existing will:
“I, (your full legal name), of (City, State, and ZIP), give, devise, and bequeath the sum of (specific dollar amount, percentage of the estate, or description of property) to the Pontifical College Josephinum, 7625 North High Street, Columbus, OH, 43235 Federal Tax I.D. is 31-4379535, to be used for unrestricted financial support to prepare men for the ordained priesthood (or specify a desired purpose).”
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To leave a gift to the Josephinum in your will, please fill out our Bequest Notification Form or download the PDF. All completed/signed forms should be sent to us via U.S. mail to: Pontifical College Josephinum, 7625 North High Street, Columbus, OH, 43235.
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Leaving Your Legacy at the Josephinum:
The Jessing Society
Once your plan has been received and documented with our Advancement Office, the Josephinum will invite you to a lifetime membership in The Jessing Society. Members are welcomed to an annual Mass and gathering with our administration, faculty, and seminarians, and are provided with timely updates on the seminary. If you have already included the Josephinum in your estate plans but are not yet a member of The Jessing Society, please contact our Vice President for Advancement, Mr. Douglas Stein: email / (614) 985-2325.
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Jessing Society Ambassadors
Since its founding in 1888, the Josephinum has benefited from the expert advice of attorneys and financial advisors who assist their clients with giving options and tax-wise estate planning. If you do not have a will or estate plan and would like financial advice on leaving your legacy at the Josephinum, please contact one of our Jessing Society Ambassadors listed below.
Also, please note we are in need of Jessing Society Ambassadors outside of Central Ohio. If you are practicing trusts and estate attorney, Certified Financial Planner, or tax advisor, and wish to be listed, please contact our Vice President for Advancement, Mr. Douglas Stein: email / (614) 985-2325.
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Estate Planning Attorneys Serving the Josephinum
James M. Vonau
Areas of Practice: Wills; other Estate Planning; Estate Tax Avoidance
Diocese of Columbus/Church of the Resurrection, New Albany, Oh.
Partner & Founding Member
Decker Vonau, LLC
620 East Broad Street, Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-744-4102
Email: jvonau@deckervonau.com
Christopher S. Vonau
Areas of Practice: Wills; other Estate Planning; Estate Tax Avoidance
Diocese of Columbus/St. Matthew the Apostle, Gahanna, Oh.
Partner & Attorney-at-Law
Decker Vonau, LLC
620 East Broad Street, Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-744-4145
Email: cvonau@deckervonau.com
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Other Ways To Give In A Bequest
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Cash
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Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and U.S. Savings Bonds
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Appreciated stock/securities
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Appreciated mutual fund shares
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Appreciated bonds
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Retirement plan assets (IRA; 401(k) & 403(b))
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Life insurance policies
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Appreciated real estates such as house, land, and buildings
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Personal property such as artwork
Beneficiary Designation Forms (TOD or POD)
Most people feel that if they have a will or trust they are finished with their estate planning and the important work of disposing of their earthly assets. This assumption is not accurate because many assets are not covered by a will or trust.
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Retirement assets, i.e., your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or 401(k) plan/403(b) plan can be transferred at death. NOTE: you as the donor must fill out a beneficiary designation form with the plan’s administrator. Check with your financial planner on the tax consequences with retirement plan assets.
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Bequeathing retirement assets is an excellent way to support the Josephinum because the assets pass tax-free.
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Insurance policies, financial accounts like bank or brokerage accounts, Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and U.S. Savings Bonds are other assets that must be designated in the estate plan.
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As the owner of these assets, you as the donor must complete the proper beneficiary designation forms which are referred to as either Transfer-on-Death (TOD) or Pay-on-Death (POD) forms.
Be sure to keep your beneficiary designations on these assets up to date to reflect where you want your gift to go upon your death. The Josephinum is honored you would consider sharing your retirement plan assets, insurance policies and financial accounts as an eternal steward of the only Pontifical Seminary outside of Italy.
Other Ways to Support the Josephinum
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Charitable Gift Annuities
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Charitable Trusts
Giving that Generates Income for You
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Gift Annuity Agreement
With a gift annuity, you make a charitable gift of cash or other property. You, and/or others, then receive fixed payments for life, with the Josephinum receiving the remaining assets. The frequency and rate of payments are determined at the time the gift annuity is funded. A gift annuity can offer generous tax benefits, as well as the satisfaction of making a meaningful gift. A deferred gift annuity generates an immediate tax deduction and higher lifetime payments after the deferral period (e.g., a retirement income supplement).
Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust
This is an irrevocable trust that pays a fixed income, for life or a specified period of time, based on the value of assets at the time the trust is created. The Josephinum receives the assets remaining in the trust. This planned gift has some generous tax advantages, including avoiding or postponing capital gains tax on appreciated property, and possible lower estate taxes.
Charitable Remainder Unitrust
Similar to the annuity trust described above, but the unitrust provides a fluctuating income based on a fixed percentage of the trust's annual value. Tax advantages include avoiding or postponing capital gains tax and possible lower estate taxes.
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For more information about including the Josephinum in your estate, or other areas of Planned Giving, please contact our Vice President for Advancement, Mr. Douglas Stein: email / (614) 985-2325.
As with any estate planning decision, consult your legal, financial and tax advisors for advice and information on applicable state and federal laws.
