17 Dec Importance of Stewardship and Giving During the Christmas Season
Year-End Giving: A Gift that Lasts Beyond Christmas
As the holiday season approaches, many of us begin to reflect on the blessings we’ve received throughout the year and consider how we can give back. While gift-giving is a treasured Christmas tradition, it’s also a time when we can extend our generosity beyond our family and friends and make a lasting impact on our community. The Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana offers an easy and effective way to make this season of giving truly meaningful through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF).
Why Consider a Donor-Advised Fund for Year-End Giving?
A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) through the Catholic Foundation allows you to make charitable contributions to support your favorite nonprofit organizations in a way that aligns with your values and the spirit of Christmas. Instead of rushing to find the perfect present, consider the lasting impact of giving in honor of a loved one. These gifts are not only thoughtful but also extend the joy of the season by helping those in need, supporting parish ministries, and strengthening the work of local nonprofits that serve our community.
Engage Your Family in the Spirit of Giving
One of the most rewarding aspects of using a DAF for year-end giving is the opportunity to engage your entire family in the decision-making process. What better way to celebrate Christmas than by coming together to determine where your family’s charitable dollars can make the greatest impact? Involving children and grandchildren
in these conversations helps instill values of generosity and service at a young age. It’s a wonderful tradition that brings families closer and teaches them about the importance of giving back.
You can gather as a family, share stories about causes you are passionate about, and decide together which nonprofits you’d like to support. This could be your local foodbank, The Haven, Friends Beyond the Bell, St. Lucy’s, a Catholic school, or a ministry that serves those who are most vulnerable in your community. No matter where you choose to give, your gifts through the Catholic Foundation will reflect your family’s shared values and commitment to making the world a better place.
Make Gifts in Honor of Loved Ones
For those on your Christmas list who seem to have everything, a charitable gift made in their honor can be a beautiful and thoughtful way to celebrate the season. Instead of buying another material item, you can make a donation through your Donor-Advised Fund to a cause that reflects the interests or values of your loved one. We experience often that husbands and daughters make gifts to the Mother Teresa Women’s Giving Circle for their wives and mothers to be members and experience the joy of giving as a collective group of Catholic women!
By using a DAF, you can make these donations seamlessly, while also maximizing the tax benefits of charitable giving before the end of the year. You have the flexibility to support multiple organizations or causes that are close to your heart and even establish a tradition of year-end giving in your family for years to come.
A Legacy of Faith and Giving
At the Catholic Foundation, we believe that every act of generosity—no matter the size—can leave a lasting impact. By partnering with us to establish a Donor-Advised Fund, you are not only making a difference today but also setting the stage for a legacy of giving that reflects your faith and values.
This Christmas, consider giving the gift that lasts a lifetime by supporting nonprofits through the Catholic Foundation. Together, we can ensure that our community and Church are strengthened and prepared for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
Wishing you and your family a blessed Advent and Christmas season!