A Legacy of Light and Hope

Legacy gifts to St. James Anglican Church are managed through one of two stewardship pathways, depending on the wishes of the donor.

Unrestricted gifts received by St. James Anglican Church will generally be added to the St. James Strategic Reserve, where they are invested through the Diocese of Ontario Consolidated Investment Fund.

Endowment gifts are established through the Anglican Foundation of Canada, which invests and administers the fund while providing annual distributable income to St. James in support of its mission and ministry.

Both approaches are intended to strengthen the long-term ministry of the parish.

The St. James Strategic Reserve is the parish’s principal long-term reserve fund.

It provides financial flexibility to support the ongoing mission and ministry of the parish and is invested through the Diocese of Ontario Consolidated Investment Fund.

Many unrestricted legacy gifts are added to this reserve, allowing future parish leadership to respond faithfully to changing opportunities and needs.

Both types of gifts help support the future of St. James, but they do so in different ways.

An unrestricted gift is made directly to St. James Anglican Church and becomes part of the Strategic Reserve. Parish leadership has the flexibility to use these funds wherever they are most needed in support of the church’s mission and ministry.

An endowment gift is made through the Anglican Foundation of Canada for the benefit of St. James. The original capital is preserved, while annual income is provided to the parish year after year.

Both are faithful expressions of generosity. The choice depends on your personal wishes and charitable goals.

The stewardship of legacy gifts involves several levels of oversight.

These include:

• The Parish Corporation of St. James Anglican Church
• The Parish Treasurer
• The Diocese of Ontario (through the Consolidated Investment Fund)
• The Anglican Foundation of Canada (for endowed gifts)

Together, these organizations help ensure accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship.

This is an important question and one many donors ask.

Unrestricted gifts become part of the assets of St. James Anglican Church and are invested through the Diocese of Ontario Consolidated Investment Fund. Should the parish ever cease to operate, those assets are administered in accordance with diocesan policy and become part of the Diocesan Ministry Investment Fund, where they continue to support the mission and ministry of the Anglican Church within the Diocese of Ontario.

Endowment gifts established through the Anglican Foundation of Canada include flexibility provisions that help ensure the donor’s charitable intentions continue to be honoured. If St. James Anglican Church ceases to exist, the Foundation may apply the income from the fund in a manner that most closely reflects the donor’s original wishes, giving preference to Anglican ministry within the Diocese of Ontario.

Yes. While some donors choose to leave unrestricted gifts that allow future parish leaders to respond to changing needs, others may wish to discuss specific charitable purposes for their gift.

If you are considering a designated legacy gift, we encourage you to speak with parish leadership or the Anglican Foundation before finalizing your estate plans so that your wishes can be documented appropriately.

Absolutely. Membership in The Bicentennial Circle is entirely voluntary. Some donors welcome public recognition as a way of encouraging others to consider a legacy gift. Others prefer anonymity. St. James will gladly honour either choice.