Man Makes Church's Future—and His Own—Even Brighter

John E. Johnson

“There are so many benefits of annuities, like giving a legacy to Holy Mother Church.”
—John E. Johnson

John E. Johnson is a man of deep faith who has enjoyed teaching and traveling. Using annuity payments from multiple charitable gift annuities, he has funded at least 15 trips to places like Europe, Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

John converted to the Catholic faith at age 21 while in college at Xavier University, a Catholic university located in Cincinnati, Ohio. John spent his working career as a fourth-grade teacher at North Central Area School in Powers/Hermansville in Menominee County. Following retirement, he volunteered at Sandy Knoll Elementary School in Marquette. His teaching career spans 50 years.

John purchased his first charitable gift annuity at age 50 to support the Church and retain lifelong income. He wanted—first and foremost—to help the Church. “Holy Mother Church is the main event in life,” John, a devout Catholic, says. “It’s the way to eternal life!”

Perhaps inspired by the Walt Disney quote, “If you can dream it you can do it,” John found a way to put God first and fund his desire to travel. John holds multiple charitable gift annuities with the Diocese of Marquette, as well as several other Catholic organizations. His charitable gift annuities provide him regular income now, and will support the Church in the future.

Now 90 years old, John remembers a time when his annuity payments helped him to pay bills during a teacher strike when he received no salary.

“There are so many benefits of annuities, like giving a legacy to Holy Mother Church,” he says.

If you want to make a gift to the Diocese of Marquette using charitable gift annuities, please contact Scott Fenley at (906) 227-9108 or sfenley@dioceseofmarquette.org.

Diocese of Marquette ~ 1004 Harbor Hills Drive, Marquette, MI 49855-8851 ~ 1 (800) 562-9745 ext.108

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to the Catholic Diocese of Marquette a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to the Catholic Diocese of Marquette, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 1004 Harbor Hills Drive, Marquette, MI 49855, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to the Church or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the Church as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the Church as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and the Church where you agree to make a gift to the Church and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
Personal Estate Planning Kit Request Form

Please provide the following information to view the materials for planning your estate.

First name is required
Last Name is required
Please include an '@' in the email address

eBrochure Request Form

Please provide the following information to view the brochure.

First name is required
Last Name is required
Please include an '@' in the email address