The mission of St. John’s Episcopal Church Foundation, Inc. is to partner with the church in fulfilling its mission and vision. By collaborating to grow the Foundation’s endowment, we increase the funds available for annual grants. The Board promotes planned giving, manages endowment funds, and regularly updates the Vestry and congregation, thereby supporting the church’s mission and ministry.
Learn how you can join us in fulfilling St. John’s vision for the future!
Wills or bequest: Include the Foundation in your will.
Life insurance and annuities: Allocate policy benefits to the Foundation.
Retirement funds and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA): Name the Foundation as a beneficiary.
Gift of appreciated assets: This may include stocks, mutual funds, or gains from the sale of business interests, or real estate.
Charitable trusts: Establish a trust to benefit the church.
Retained life estates: A donor makes a gift but retains control for life. Examples often include a donor’s personal residence.
Cash: Cash is often the quickest and easiest gift to support our mission in the here and now.
Named funds: Named funds may be established in perpetuity with Cornerstone or Legacy Gifts of $250,000 or more.
Named after our founding year, the 1829 Legacy Society honors past and future gifts
that ensure St. John’s enduring vitality. Contributions of any size significantly impact
our future. We encourage all members to consider planned giving and offer guidance
to support your decisions.
Learn more about the 1829 Legacy Society by contacting us to join today.
In 2029, St. John’s will celebrate our bicentennial. The following is our vision for the future of St. John’s:
Mary Lee Robertson
“St. John’s is my spiritual home. My belief in St. John’s and its future compels me to support not only its structural integrity but its spiritual integrity—both within its walls and in the numerous outreach ministries which touch the lives of others and those who are involved in them. By making the Foundation the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, my prayer is that St. John’s can continue to change the lives of others as it has mine.”
John Slye (1938-2020)
“St. John’s continues to grow as a parish and a positive influence in the Tallahassee community. To assure that St. John’s has the resources to support that growth in the future, beyond the yearly pledges of its parishioners, I decided to join the 1829 Legacy Society, and make a commitment of funds to the St. John’s Foundation upon my death. I encourage other parishioners who have not yet done so, to favorably consider joining the 1829 Legacy Society to support and maintain St. John’s presence in the Tallahassee community for years to come.”
2021
In 2021, nearly $42,000 in Foundation grants helped support St. John’s music programs and concerts • youth and adult programs • A Full Summer, Tallahassee's summer feeding program and other outreach programs of the Church • Ecuadorian missionaries • guest speakers • Seminarian support • Episcopal Relief & Development for hurricane relief in the Panhandle.
2020
Walking the Mourner’s Path Grief Ministry • Mary Foster Parmer, founder of Invite-Welcome-Connect, Guest Speaker • Youth Confirmation books and retreat • A Full Summer—meals for Tallahassee’s students in need • England Choir Tour • Diocesan Convention support for St. John’s delegates • Episcopal University Center at Florida State University • St. John’s Concert Series • Children and Youth Curriculum • Youth Mission Scholarships • Florida Panhandle hurricane relief and additional support through Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD)
2018-2019
St. John’s Concert Series • Invite-Welcome-Connect Newcomer Ministry • Sunday School curriculum • Strategic Planning support • St. John’s seminarian • Youth Confirmation books and retreat • Youth Mission Scholarships (Ecuador) • A Full Summer—meals for Tallahassee’s students in need • The Most Rev. Frank Griswold’s (former Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church) Holy Week teaching mission to St. John’s • Jewish-Christian Teaching Series in partnership with Temple Israel • Sacred Music Intern from Florida State University • For All the Saints Capital Campaign • Florida Panhandle hurricane relief an additional support through Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD)
Our investment strategy prioritizes responsible growth, ensuring a sustainable future
for St. John’s. We allocate a fixed percentage of the Foundation’s funds annually to
support the church’s mission. Professional advisors guide fund management
according to board-approved policies.
At the end of 2024, the total funds under management (FUM) by the Foundation were $2.77 million. We distributed $56,457 to support key programs. We invite you to view St. John's 2024 Annual Report for a full update on both the restricted and unrestricted endowments.
The Foundation Board, made up of St. John’s members, includes the Rector and the Senior Warden as ex-officio voting members. For more information about serving on the St. John’s Foundation Board, please contact Sarah Ball Miller, Foundation Chair.
Sarah Ball Miller, Chair
Nan O’Kelley, Secretary
Ray Bye, Treasurer
Alan Asker
Susan Cassedy, Programs Chair
Patricia Martin
Cecelia McMullian
Bill Moor
Charley Redding
The Rev. Lonnie Lacy, Rector
Mahaska Whitley
If you wish to make a planned gift to the St. John's Episcopal Church Foundation, please complete our Commitment Form, which is non-binding but does lead to 1829 Legacy Society membership.
Ben Bowersox
Bowersox.Ben@ccbg.com
Ben Bowersox, St. John’s member and an advisor with Capital City Trust Company, is also available through the Finance and Stewardship Office and the Foundation Board for advice on planning your gift. There is no cost to you. Please always include your tax advisor and estate planner before making any final decision.
Sarah Ball Miller
Foundation Chairperson
sarahballmiller@gmail.com
