Join the Legacy Challenge
Make a commitment to the Cathedral of the future—and make a difference beginning today.
Sustain What Sustains You
For a limited time, two generous donors are funding a challenge to all Cathedral supporters. These donors have created a pool of $1,000,000 in available matching funds, which will be used to match new and increased planned gift commitments at 10% of their estimated value, up to $25,000 per gift.
This opportunity expires when the $1,000,000 matching funds pool is depleted, or on December 31, 2024, at the conclusion of the Cathedral’s current, five-year comprehensive campaign. Don’t miss your chance to join this challenge and increase your impact, now and for generations to come. You’ll be securing the Cathedral’s long-term health through your planned gift and have an immediate impact through these matching funds!
Join the Legacy Challenge: 4 Easy Steps
1. Contact our Planned Giving Team with any questions and to share your plans or existing estate gift decisions that are already in place.
2. Include Washington National Cathedral in your will, trust, IRA or other beneficiary designation.
3. Document your planned gift intention with our Planned Giving Team.
4. Unlock an additional, matching gift valued at 10% of your future gift up to $25,000, to support the Cathedral’s mission and ministry today. If you have already shared your planned gift intention with our Planned Giving Team you may still be able to participate in the Legacy Challenge by confirming or increasing the estimated value of your planned gift. To learn more, please contact our Planned Giving Team.
Get Started with the Legacy Challenge!
Frequently Asked Questions
The Legacy Challenge is a matching gift campaign to encourage estate or other planned gift commitments to the Cathedral. The Legacy Challenge was initiated and generously funded by two Cathedral leaders.
These leaders have created a pool of $1,000,000 to provide immediate matching funds for each new or previously unknown planned gift to the Cathedral.
Matching funds are based on the estimated value of future planned gifts. The match is 10% of the estimated estate gift value, up to $25,000 per commitment. For example, a planned gift of $100,000 will unlock an immediate $10,000 gift in support of the Cathedral’s mission. A planned gift of $350,000 will unlock an immediate $25,000 gift.
Two long-time volunteer leaders and advisors to the Cathedral deans provided the matching funds. One leader is an entrepreneur and current Board/Chapter member. The other leader is an attorney and Cathedral Founders Society member. These leaders, along with their families, have been closely involved and engaged with the Cathedral for over 50 years.
Typically, the Cathedral receives the benefit of planned gifts after the donor’s lifetime. Through the Legacy Challenge, planned gifts disclosed now will ALSO unlock a matching gift of 10% of the estimated value (up to $25,000), to be used in support of the Cathedral’s immediate needs today.
In addition, all participants in the Legacy Challenge will be welcomed as members of the Cathedral Founders Society (CFS). This is an honorary group recognizing friends who are including the Cathedral in their estate plans.
The Legacy Challenge concludes when the $1,000,000 matching funds pool is depleted, or on December 31, 2024, whichever comes first. December 2024 also marks the conclusion of the Cathedral’s current, five-year comprehensive campaign.
Planned gifts can be directed to the area of greatest need, an area of personal importance, or an endowment fund designed to sustain the Cathedral for future generations. Some examples include:
• General Operating Endowment
• Cathedral Preservation Endowment
• Worship Endowment
• Music Endowment
• Program Endowment
There is no minimum planned gift size required to participate in the Legacy Challenge. We appreciate and value all gifts. All gifts will be matched.
Matching funds will not exceed $25,000 per planned gift. If you are able to make a larger planned gift (over $250,000), your legacy will have an even bigger impact on the Cathedral.
Thank you, we are sincerely grateful.
Many supporters have already documented a planned gift with the Cathedral. If you wish to increase the amount, you will unlock a matching gift of 10% of the increased value of your planned gift through this special opportunity.
In addition, if you have not previously shared the value of your planned gift intention, you can participate in the Legacy Challenge by confirming the estimated value. To learn more, please contact our Planned Giving Team.
No problem. You are under no pressure to do so. We are happy to welcome you as a participant in the Legacy Challenge and a member of the Cathedral Founders Society.
Simply notify the Planned Giving Team of your gift intention and $1,000 will be unlocked through the matching gift pool. If you later decide to share the estimated value of your planned gift, you may unlock a greater matching gift.
We recognize that conditions and situations change. Gifts included in wills or trusts are popular because they are flexible. They can be changed in response to your life circumstances. A simple provision or amendment prepared by your attorney is all that is necessary to update your plans.
Absolutely! For most people, our homes and IRA or other retirement plans are our largest asset. Naming the Cathedral as a remainder beneficiary of our IRA or other retirement plan is a wonderful way to make a gift as part of our estate plan.
In addition, there are some special income tax savings when the Cathedral is named as the beneficiary of an IRA. Contact a member of the Planned Giving team for more detailed information on how this works.
Yes. If you have an insurance policy that is no longer needed for its original purpose, this can be a wonderful way to make a gift. Many of us bought life insurance when we were younger to protect our spouse or children. Over time, the policy may have grown in value but may no longer be needed. It is possible to make a gift of an existing life insurance policy to the Cathedral today and get a tax deduction.
Yes. Charitable remainder trusts and gift annuities are often smart ways to provide fixed or variable income or a guaranteed lifetime payments. These can be payments that you or your loved ones can never outlive. Contact a member of the Planned Giving team for more information and how it might work in your situation.
Yes. The information will be kept in confidence by the Cathedral but will not be shared. We will make you a member of the Cathedral Founders Society. If you prefer, even this can be made anonymous.
To include Washington National Cathedral in your will or trust, the following is suggested wording to take to your attorney:
“After fulfilling other provisions, I give, devise and bequeath____% of the residue of my estate (or $__________) if a specific amount) to Washington National Cathedral (tax ID #53-0196604), located at 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20016.
IRA, bank account and securities account forms often don’t have very much space. In those situations, please write in: Washington National Cathedral, Tax ID #53-0196604.
Naming the Cathedral as a remainder beneficiary of an IRA or other retirement plan is an easy way to make a planned gift. This may also provide special personal income tax benefits.
Life insurance policies purchased earlier in life, and perhaps no longer necessary for the original purpose, are another excellent option. It is often possible to make a gift of an existing life insurance policy and receive an income tax deduction.
Charitable remainder trusts and gift annuities often make smart gifts. These can provide fixed or variable income or guaranteed lifetime payments for you and/or your loved ones. They can generate an immediate charitable deduction and provide a wonderful gift to the Cathedral.
- Contact our Planned Giving team with any questions and to share your plans or existing estate gift decisions that are already in place.
- Include Washington National Cathedral in your will, trust, IRA or other beneficiary designation.
- Document your planned gift intention with our Planned Giving Team.
- Unlock an additional, matching gift valued at 10% of your future gift up to $25,000, to support the Cathedral’s mission and ministry today.
Please feel free to reach out to a member of our Planned Giving team:
John W. Jensen, CFP
Director, Planned Giving
Office: (202) 537-5747
Cell: (703) 407-2996
Email: [email protected]
Agnes D. Solatan
Associate Director, Planned Giving
Office: (202) 537-5746
Email: [email protected]
The Legacy Challenge is a matching gift campaign to encourage estate or other planned gift commitments to the Cathedral. The Legacy Challenge was initiated and generously funded by two Cathedral leaders.
These leaders have created a pool of $1,000,000 to provide immediate matching funds for each new or previously unknown planned gift to the Cathedral.
Matching funds are based on the estimated value of future planned gifts. The match is 10% of the estimated estate gift value, up to $25,000 per commitment. For example, a planned gift of $100,000 will unlock an immediate $10,000 gift in support of the Cathedral’s mission. A planned gift of $350,000 will unlock an immediate $25,000 gift.
Two long-time volunteer leaders and advisors to the Cathedral deans provided the matching funds. One leader is an entrepreneur and current Board/Chapter member. The other leader is an attorney and Cathedral Founders Society member. These leaders, along with their families, have been closely involved and engaged with the Cathedral for over 50 years.
Typically, the Cathedral receives the benefit of planned gifts after the donor’s lifetime. Through the Legacy Challenge, planned gifts disclosed now will ALSO unlock a matching gift of 10% of the estimated value (up to $25,000), to be used in support of the Cathedral’s immediate needs today.
In addition, all participants in the Legacy Challenge will be welcomed as members of the Cathedral Founders Society (CFS). This is an honorary group recognizing friends who are including the Cathedral in their estate plans.
The Legacy Challenge concludes when the $1,000,000 matching funds pool is depleted, or on December 31, 2024, whichever comes first. December 2024 also marks the conclusion of the Cathedral’s current, five-year comprehensive campaign.
Planned gifts can be directed to the area of greatest need, an area of personal importance, or an endowment fund designed to sustain the Cathedral for future generations. Some examples include:
• General Operating Endowment
• Cathedral Preservation Endowment
• Worship Endowment
• Music Endowment
• Program Endowment
There is no minimum planned gift size required to participate in the Legacy Challenge. We appreciate and value all gifts. All gifts will be matched.
Matching funds will not exceed $25,000 per planned gift. If you are able to make a larger planned gift (over $250,000), your legacy will have an even bigger impact on the Cathedral.
Thank you, we are sincerely grateful.
Many supporters have already documented a planned gift with the Cathedral. If you wish to increase the amount, you will unlock a matching gift of 10% of the increased value of your planned gift through this special opportunity.
In addition, if you have not previously shared the value of your planned gift intention, you can participate in the Legacy Challenge by confirming the estimated value. To learn more, please contact our Planned Giving Team.
No problem. You are under no pressure to do so. We are happy to welcome you as a participant in the Legacy Challenge and a member of the Cathedral Founders Society.
Simply notify the Planned Giving Team of your gift intention and $1,000 will be unlocked through the matching gift pool. If you later decide to share the estimated value of your planned gift, you may unlock a greater matching gift.
We recognize that conditions and situations change. Gifts included in wills or trusts are popular because they are flexible. They can be changed in response to your life circumstances. A simple provision or amendment prepared by your attorney is all that is necessary to update your plans.
Absolutely! For most people, our homes and IRA or other retirement plans are our largest asset. Naming the Cathedral as a remainder beneficiary of our IRA or other retirement plan is a wonderful way to make a gift as part of our estate plan.
In addition, there are some special income tax savings when the Cathedral is named as the beneficiary of an IRA. Contact a member of the Planned Giving team for more detailed information on how this works.
Yes. If you have an insurance policy that is no longer needed for its original purpose, this can be a wonderful way to make a gift. Many of us bought life insurance when we were younger to protect our spouse or children. Over time, the policy may have grown in value but may no longer be needed. It is possible to make a gift of an existing life insurance policy to the Cathedral today and get a tax deduction.
Yes. Charitable remainder trusts and gift annuities are often smart ways to provide fixed or variable income or a guaranteed lifetime payments. These can be payments that you or your loved ones can never outlive. Contact a member of the Planned Giving team for more information and how it might work in your situation.
Yes. The information will be kept in confidence by the Cathedral but will not be shared. We will make you a member of the Cathedral Founders Society. If you prefer, even this can be made anonymous.
To include Washington National Cathedral in your will or trust, the following is suggested wording to take to your attorney:
“After fulfilling other provisions, I give, devise and bequeath____% of the residue of my estate (or $__________) if a specific amount) to Washington National Cathedral (tax ID #53-0196604), located at 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20016.
IRA, bank account and securities account forms often don’t have very much space. In those situations, please write in: Washington National Cathedral, Tax ID #53-0196604.
Naming the Cathedral as a remainder beneficiary of an IRA or other retirement plan is an easy way to make a planned gift. This may also provide special personal income tax benefits.
Life insurance policies purchased earlier in life, and perhaps no longer necessary for the original purpose, are another excellent option. It is often possible to make a gift of an existing life insurance policy and receive an income tax deduction.
Charitable remainder trusts and gift annuities often make smart gifts. These can provide fixed or variable income or guaranteed lifetime payments for you and/or your loved ones. They can generate an immediate charitable deduction and provide a wonderful gift to the Cathedral.
- Contact our Planned Giving team with any questions and to share your plans or existing estate gift decisions that are already in place.
- Include Washington National Cathedral in your will, trust, IRA or other beneficiary designation.
- Document your planned gift intention with our Planned Giving Team.
- Unlock an additional, matching gift valued at 10% of your future gift up to $25,000, to support the Cathedral’s mission and ministry today.
Please feel free to reach out to a member of our Planned Giving team:
John W. Jensen, CFP
Director, Planned Giving
Office: (202) 537-5747
Cell: (703) 407-2996
Email: [email protected]
Agnes D. Solatan
Associate Director, Planned Giving
Office: (202) 537-5746
Email: [email protected]