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ST. THOMAS EDUCATION
ENDOWMENT FUND

OVERVIEW

Fr. Leo Weckerle, former pastor of St. Thomas Parish, in Redmond, Oregon, was a strong supporter of Catholic Education. While pastor of St. Thomas, he opened St. Thomas Academy in 2006.  In 2000 he gathered some of the parishioners of the parish to set up and raise money for a St. Thomas Education Scholarship Fund.

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The purpose of the fund was to provide scholarships to youth of St. Thomas Parish to attend Catholic schools. The fund would help youth wanting to go to Catholic schools from first grade through college.

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Each year, youth of the parish apply for scholarships from this fund. The scholarships are funded with a portion of the interest and a portion goes back into the principal to grow the fund.

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The scholarship fund was first registered with the State of Oregon as a non-profit endowment. Managing this fund was found to be complicated with annual forms and reports with the State and IRS.

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​After several years it was moved to the Legacy of Faith Catholic Foundation to simplify its administration long term. At that time the fund was $100,000. The Legacy of Faith Foundation provided St. Thomas Parish with low-cost administration of the funds and a safe place to let the investment grow.

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FOUNDED
2009
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PURPOSE
CATHOLIC
EDUCATION
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SUPPORTS
ST. THOMAS
PARISH
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DISTRIBUTIONS
RESTRICTED
  • Distribution
    Half of the fund's interest is divided among St. Thomas Academy, St. Thomas Parish, and a Diocesan fund for priests.
  • Catholic Context
    The fund operates within the framework of the Catholic Church, specifically the Diocese of Baker, and is named after St. Jude, a patron saint within the church.
  • Reinvestment
    The other half of the interest is reinvested to increase the fund's overall value.
  • Funding
    The fund is primarily supported by the donor's long-term estate planning, with a portion of the funding being ongoing and the major contribution occurring upon the donor's death.
  • Impact
    The distributions are unrestricted, allowing the recipients to use the funds as they see fit.

DETAILS TO CONSIDER

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Contact Us

CONTACT US

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HEAR FROM DONORS

I’m grateful to have been able to contribute to the Legacy of Faith Endowment Fund. It’s a meaningful way to support the future of our church, ensuring it can continue to serve the community and nurture faith for generations to come. I’m honored to be part of such a wonderful mission.

- Legacy of Faith Donor
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