Opportunities

By making a deferred gift to the Diocese of Charleston, you make an effort to secure  the future for the many works and ministries though out the diocese. Through your planned gift, you can specify exactly how you would like your money spent and/or to what specific ministry within the Diocese of Charleston you would like to support.

All funds and endowments of the Diocese of Charleston are managed by a team of professional money managers. The progress and status of diocesan funds and endowments are also reviewed quarterly by the diocesan Investment Committee. The Investment Committee is a body of lay community leaders appointed by the diocesan Bishop, to oversee the investments of the Diocese of Charleston. The costs of administering the monies placed in a diocesan endowment are less than 1%, which is highly competitive with other investment options. The Diocese of Charleston has established funds for specific concerns within the diocese. The following is a brief list and description of what funds currently exist:

Seminarian Fund

Providing for the spiritual, academic and theological formation of our future priests is of paramount importance. All Catholics hold a stake in ensuring that there are well-trained priests to serve this and future generations of the faithful. The Seminarian Fund assists men in their journey toward a lifetime of service and sacramental ministry.

Catholic Charities Fund

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Charleston strives to continue the ministry of Jesus by providing quality service for people in need, advocating for justice, and calling the entire Church and all people to do the same.Catholic Charities works to accomplish its goals through the provision of direct services, consultation, education and advocacy.

  • Catholic Charities provides services to the elderly through a residential care home and an Alzheimer Respite Program in Charleston, and Grandparents as Caregivers Support Group in Columbia, in addition to direct financial assistance across the Diocese.
  • Project Rachel provides support and healing to those whose lives have been hurt by abortion.
  • Catholic Charities has begun the Office of Immigration Services to assist the many families wanting to make the United States their permanent legal home.
  • The Office of Family Life provides Adoption related services and Natural Family Planning services throughout the Diocese as well as Aid to Pregnant Women.
  • Emergency financial assistance is provided throughout the Diocese, with priority given to the elderly, families with young children, the disabled, and pregnant women.

Diocesan Education/Scholarship Endowment

The primary goal is to provide tuition assistance to those families with the greatest need unless otherwise designated by the donor. This fund also can provide direct funding to schools to enhance instructional programs, support curriculum needs and assist with basic operational expenses - all ways to assist the students in their educational experience.

Priest Retirement Fund

This fund pays a monthly retirement benefit to support all retired clergy of the diocese.

Priest Assistance Fund

This fund provides for the care of our clergy. Any priest who has a financial need he cannot meet may seek asssitance from this fund. The fund has been able to help with healthcare costs, insurance premiums, housing and other expenses.

Designated Parish/School Endowment

Each parish/school of the Diocese of Charleston has the opportunity to begin an endowment fund. Your deferred gift can be placed in the parish/school fund of your choice.