Ways to Give

…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… Matthew 6:20 (RSV)

Ways to Give

Consider St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine, an institution of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, among those to benefit from your life’s labors.

Located at the Avero House at 41 St. George Street in St. Augustine, FL, this living memorial was dedicated by Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America and all the members of the Holy Synod in 1982.  Guests enter the Byzantine chapel, museum, and gift shop through the Constantine Sisters Courtyard.  The offices, including National Shrine Church Supplies, are on the second floor.

Over 200,000 people visit the Shrine each year and learn about the five hundred Greeks and 3 Orthodox priests from the Peloponnese who were contracted through the British Indentured Servitude Act in 1768 to cultivate the land that today, is known as, New Smyrna Beach, Florida. 

The survivors of the failed colony were received in St. Augustine by Governor Patrick Tonyn who, in 1777, offered them sanctuary in the Avero House.  For years, the second floor of the Avero House served as their place of worship under Father Pedro Camps, the only clergy survivor.

Shrine architect, Archon Ted Pappas, restored the 2-story house to its exact specifications after a 6-month archaeologic dig.  He designed a one-floor layout within the complex that earned him a place as a notable Architect by Marquis Who’s Who.  Archon Hagiographos, George Filippakis, wrote the icons; Archon Sirio Tonelli created the mosaics. 

In 2000, trustees were concerned about the sustainability of the Shrine.  Generating enough revenue to operate a full schedule with a full spectrum of activities was challenging.  Costs to maintain a structure subjected to damage due to salt and sun were already apparent.  In 2002, Eula Carlos and Archons Charles Masterpolis and Harry Tom Cavalaris worked fervently to establish the St. Photios Endowment. 

The benefit of their labor continues to contribute greatly to the integrity of this “jewel of St. George Street”.   

Here are ways for all of us to give when considering a donation or legacy gift to the St. Photios Foundation, Inc.  When we support the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine in this way, we ensure that this place of faith, heritage and culture will continue its witness for generations to come.

Giving Through Your

Will Or Trust

Leaving a gift in your will or revocable living trust is a wonderful way to ensure that your support of the first Shrine of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is available for generations to come.

You may designate a specific dollar amount or percentage of your residual estate to the St. Photios Foundation, Inc., while leaving other assets to your family and friends.

There is no minimum requirement. Every legacy gift makes a difference.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS

Provide your attorney with the sample language below:

“I give [the residue of my estate], or [___% of the residue of my estate], or [the sum of _______ dollars] to the St. Photios Foundation, Inc, St. Photios National Shrine, St. Augustine, Florida for its general purposes.”

 

Include this information:
St. Photios Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 1960
St. Augustine, Florida 32085-1960

Federal Tax ID Number – 59-2113581

Giving Through Your

Qualified Charitable Distribution (IRA)

If you are age 70 ½ and older, you can make direct qualified charitable distributions (QCD) from your IRA (Individual Retirement Account) to the St. Photios Foundation, Inc. without any tax consequences.

All IRA withdrawals (non QCD) are fully taxable.  A new law, though, makes it possible to direct up to $100,000 to the St. Photios Foundation or other nonprofit organizations a year with no income taxes being charged.  These QCD contributions can help you fulfill your annual IRA required minimum distribution and allow non-itemizers to receive tax benefits from gifts to the St. Photios Foundation.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS

To use the QCD provision to make an immediate impact with the St. Photios Foundation:

  • You must be age 70 ½ or older.
  • The funds must go directly from your IRA account to the St. Photios Foundation, Inc.
  • You cannot exceed $100,000 in QCD gifts a year.
  • QCD contributions must be unrestricted and cannot provide any incidental benefits to the donor.

Giving Through Your

Appreciated Securities

Please consider donating appreciated securities and mutual funds that have been held for more than one year, to support the St. Photios Foundation, Inc. Donating securities or mutual funds offers you the chance to support our work while realizing important tax benefits for yourself.

When you donate appreciated securities or mutual funds you have held more than one year to us in support of St. Photios National Shrine, you can reduce or even eliminate federal capital gains taxes on the transfer.  You may also be entitled to a federal income tax charitable deduction based on the fair market value of the securities at the time of the transfer.

Giving Through Your

Charitable Gift Annuity

When you create a charitable gift annuity to benefit the St. Photios Foundation, you and/or a loved one receive guaranteed fixed quarterly payments for life based on your age(s) and a charitable income tax deduction in the year of the donation.  You receive the annuity income for life and the remaining funds after your passing to establish your legacy with the St. Photios Foundation.

KEY BENEFITS

  • Establishing a gift annuity with appreciated stock may reduce capital gains.
  • A gift annuity is a creative way to meet the long-term financial needs of a spouse or loved one.
  • If you want immediate tax savings but don’t need payments until later, you may choose a deferred annuity.
  • A portion of your annuity payments is tax-free.
  • The older you are when your annuity begins, the higher your payment rate.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS

Contact your insurance professional.