Legacy Gifts

Preparing God’s Church for the Generations to Come

When compared to the wealth of most Americans and the world, we are rich beyond imagination. Few will reach the end of our lives without adequate food, shelter and healthcare. Many will enter our heavenly home with a multitude of unused resources left behind. As stewards of the resources God entrusted to us, a portion should be dedicated for the continuation of Christ’s church. Whether Pinnacle is our church home year-round or only a number of months, it is our responsibility to ensure PPC is able to provide worship, Christian education, congregational life, and mission work in the community and in our world for generations to come. 

Setting aside resources to plan for the future security of the church can be done during your lifetime, or through your estate. 

You will find the answers to many common questions and topics in our Legacy brochure. In addition, our Foundation Trustees and church staff are available to answer your questions and help you consider ways to benefit the church now and in the future.

If you are ready to make a gift to Pinnacle, please complete the Planned Legacy Gift form. If you have additional questions about making a gift to the church, please contact (480) 585-9448 .

Pinnacle Foundation Funds

Ten funds are currently established, which mirror the ministries of the church. Gifts can be designated to a specific fund, or if non-specified, gifts will be placed in a long-term reserve fund for the ongoing capital needs of PPC.

All funds placed in any of the Foundation endowments are professionally managed. Investment results are reviewed regularly by the Foundation Board. While all seven of the Funds are managed as endowment funds, the Foundation accepts gifts to all of the funds from a giver’s current assets, their trusts, or estate.

A wide variety of gifts are accepted by the Foundation to benefit the church. Gifts may include outright cash, donor-advised fund grants, foundation grants, qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), transfer of securities, beneficiary designations through a bank, investment account, life insurance policy, or retirement plan, and gifts through estate.

Investments and receipt of gifts are both guided by the church’s Investment Policy Statement.  Each year the Foundation shares a percentage of its assets with the Session for the good of the church.

    • Funds are unrestricted

    • Can go towards any endowment fund depending on the needs of the church 

    • Principal and earnings are restricted to mission funding

    • Funds go towards the expenses of our local and international missions

    • Annual distribution to 1 or 2 charities to maximize the impact

    • Able to use earnings or principal

    • Annual distribution is not required

    • Support postsecondary education for AZ residents and PPC members with church, community, and school involvement

    • 3 three-member committee reviews applications

    • The number of scholarships is determined annually

    • Able to use the principal

    • Provides for repair, maintenance, and replacement of musical instruments

    • May exceed the Foundation’s draw-down rate of 4% and can go up to 7%

    • Special needs of PPC families during the Christmas season

    • Annual disbursement not to exceed $1,000

    • Able to use principal

    • Ensures music excellence will continue and be strengthened, enhanced, and expanded

    • Able to use earnings or principal

    • Annual distribution is not required

    • Funds are used for special concerts, paid soloists and instrumentalists, etc.

    • Enhance, expand, and develop ministries for senior adults

    • Includes programs, educational materials, speakers, and transportation

    • Not to exceed 10% annual distribution from principal and earnings

    • Able to use principal

    • Annual distribution is not required

    • Maintenance, repair, improvement, and replacement of facilities’ needs

    • Principal available with restrictions:

    • No distributions until the balance is $100,000, then 5% of 12 quarter average

    • 50% of principal available with a balance of $1,000,000 or more

    • Invests excess contributions after interment and maintenance expenses to provide earnings support to PPC

    • The Foundation acts as an investment manager but the use of these funds is controlled by Session

    • Supports educational programming developed and managed by Fran Park Center

    • Donations are made to PPC (not Foundation)

    • The foundation acts as an investment manager

    • Session may withdraw investment administration from the Foundation

    • Distribution of 4% of the previous 12 quarter average market value

    • Annual distribution not required

    • Session retains funding responsibility and must request a distribution from the Foundation

Sample Language for a bequest through a Will or Trust to the Church or Foundation:

“I give, devise, and bequeath to Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, EIN 86-0708287, all {or state the fraction or percentage} of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate. Pinnacle Presbyterian Church may be contacted at 25150 North Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255.”

“I give, devise, and bequeath to Pinnacle Presbyterian Church Foundation, EIN 20-3772264, all {or state the fraction or percentage} of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate. Pinnacle Presbyterian Church Foundation may be contacted at 25150 North Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255.”

Legacy Circle

The Pinnacle Legacy Circle is made up of individuals who establish an endowed fund through a life gift, or who intend to make an estate gift in support of Pinnacle’s ministries in the church, and mission in the community and world. Undesignated estate gifts made to the church may be used for current ministry or future capital needs, or if made to the Foundation, the gift can be directed to any of the Foundation’s existing funds. We ask that Legacy Circle members avoid narrow restrictions on their gifts so that each gift may be used in the evolving life of the church.

Being a part of the Pinnacle Legacy Circle is an opportunity to gather to share a meal or to discuss our hopes, dreams, and visions for future generations in this special church. It also provides time to build deeper relationships with members we may not meet during regular church attendance. While individuals may choose to keep their estate gift confidential prior to their passing, joining the Pinnacle Legacy Circle is about more than being part of a legacy society. Freely share how you plan to bless others through the provisions God has entrusted to you.

“We live our values through our service and giving. Our Foundation endowment gift protects those values in perpetuity.”
- John and Connie Thompson, Legacy Circle Members

Legacy Circle Members

If you have made a life gift or a gift through your estate to Pinnacle Presbyterian Church or the Pinnacle Presbyterian Foundation, please fill out the Legacy Gift Commitment Form linked below. It helps us in our planning by providing important information on your future gift. Should you prefer not to disclose your gift, please fill out the Planned Legacy Gift form and provide it to your estate attorney or the executor of your estate. This will instruct us on how to fulfill your legacy intentions.

More About Foundation