Click here to find out more about our new Interim Executive Director – Don Ruff.  Also included in this newsletter is a feature on chairman Andy Groseta, the 2006 Crozier Dinner, the 2006 Christian Service Award Reception and more.

Since 1985, the Foundation has made grants of $4,026,500 to support important charitable work primarily in the area served by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. Last year, the Foundation awarded $356,500 to worthy communication projects, schools and catechetical programs through its grant review program.

These grants are made possible thanks to the generosity of many benefactors, both living and deceased, who have entrusted the Foundation to meet many of the needs of the Diocese of Phoenix and its people. Led by a volunteer board of directors composed of clergy and laity, the Foundation carefully reviews each application and attempts to award funds in areas where the greatest need can be met in the most efficient way possible.

2006-2007 Grants Applications are now up on the web. 
Click here to apply!

Grants are available for the following ministries:

1. Catholic Schools
2. Christian Formation Programs
3. Communications Projects

. . . An 8th Grader who provides service to others?
. . . Wants to attend a Catholic High School in Diocese of Phoenix?

If So . . .

. . . Nominate this student for the Catholic Community Foundation’s Christian Service Award!

2006-2007 Christian Service Award Nomination Forms are now up on the web. 
Click here to nominate an 8th grader today!

There has rarely been a better time to obtain a charitable gift annuity from the Catholic Community Foundation.  A charitable gift annuity is an agreement between the donor and the Catholic Community Foundation.  In return for the gift, the Foundation promises to make payments for the life of the donor, or two lives with donor and spouse.  The payment rate is based on the age of the annuitant(s) at the time the agreement is created.

Low interest rates and roller-coaster markets are causing people to think twice about their financial decisions, and to consider the seven benefits of the Catholic Community Foundation's gift annuity program.

Click here to read more of Tom’s article in the Summer 2006 CCF Newsletter

In order to help charities further their good work, Congress recently changed the rules for charitable gifts made from individual retirement accounts (IRAs).  If you are over the age of 70 ½, the Federal government now permits you to rollover amounts from your IRA to charity without claiming any increased income or paying any additional tax.  These tax-free rollover gifts could be $1,000, $10,000 or any amount up to $100,000 in one year.  Please contact us at 602-354-2401 or by email at tthieken@ccfphx.org for additional details.  

March was “write a will” month and the Catholic Community Foundation was a participant again this year in this “Leave A Legacy” event. Foundation representatives made presentations in three of our parishes. Those of us who spoke to parishioners about the importance of preparing a will or a trust heard many stories about the problems that arose for those who did no “estate planning.” The following illustrate a few of these potential problems. 

Click here to read more from Jack’s article in the Catholic Sun