Two pairs of hands holding a small patch of earth with a large tree, symbolizing environmental care and conservation, set against a blurred green outdoor background.

A promise that what we cherish today will continue to nurture generations yet to come.

Carry Your Values Forward

A legacy gift is a powerful way to carry your values forward. By including First Unitarian Church of Rochester in your will, estate plan, or as a beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy, you help ensure that this community of compassion, justice, and spiritual growth continues for generations to come.

Legacy giving is an act of faith in the future. It sustains our ministries, strengthens our mission, and supports the sacred work of building a more loving and just world. Whether your gift is large or small, it becomes part of a lasting foundation that nurtures those who will walk through our doors long after us.

If you would like to learn more about making a legacy gift, we would be honored to begin that conversation with you.

We, the members of First Unitarian Church of Rochester, are a progressive religious community rooted in love, curiosity, and connection. Together, we create a space for an open and ongoing search for truth and meaning, grounded in the care and accountability of beloved community.

Sustaining this community and helping it grow takes all of us. Your support makes it possible to continue the ministries that nurture us while also expanding our reach, deepening our diversity, and welcoming all who are seeking a place to belong and be transformed by this living faith.

An elderly woman with gray hair and glasses holding a lit candle inside a building with cinderblock walls and colorful wall panels.

Sustaining and Growing Our Beloved Community

The Legacy Society of First Unitarian Church of Rochester helps ensure a strong and lasting foundation for our future. Through these gifts, we sustain and grow our ability to live out our mission and vision for generations to come.

Legacy giving creates a permanent source of support for the values we share. Every gift is meaningful. What matters most is the intention and care behind it, not the size of the contribution.

Ways to Give

  • You may choose to make a gift to the Endowment Fund today or include one in your plans for the future. Your gift can carry special meaning by honoring the life, values, or accomplishments of someone important to you.

    Many choose to commemorate weddings, births, anniversaries, or other significant milestones. Others create a lasting memorial tribute to a loved one — a remembrance that endures far beyond flowers or temporary gestures.

    If you wish, your gift and the purpose it celebrates may be acknowledged publicly in a manner that feels meaningful and appropriate to you.

  • A gift of cash is a simple and direct way to support the church and may qualify for an income tax charitable deduction, subject to IRS guidelines. In addition to making an immediate impact, your gift can provide current tax benefits depending on your individual circumstances.

    We encourage you to consult with your tax advisor to understand how a charitable gift may apply to your situation.

  • Gifts of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds may be made by transferring ownership directly to the Endowment Trust. The value of your gift is generally based on the fair market value of the securities on the date of transfer.

    If the securities have increased in value, donating them directly may provide meaningful tax advantages, including the potential to avoid capital gains taxes while qualifying for a charitable income tax deduction, subject to IRS guidelines.

    We encourage you to consult your financial or tax advisor to determine what approach is best for your situation.

  • You may designate First Unitarian Church of Rochester as a beneficiary in your will to receive money, securities, or other property. This can often be accomplished through a simple codicil to your existing will, without the need to rewrite the entire document.

    We encourage you to consult with your attorney to ensure your wishes are clearly expressed and properly documented.

  • Designating First Unitarian Church of Rochester as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy, IRA, or annuity can be a simple and flexible way to make a legacy gift. Depending on the asset and how it is structured, these options may offer meaningful tax advantages.

    Life income arrangements may also be available through the Unitarian Universalist Association. These plans can provide income to you or a loved one during your lifetime, with the remaining funds supporting First Unitarian’s Endowment Fund after your death.

    As always, we encourage you to consult with your financial or tax advisor to determine which option best fits your goals.

  • You may also choose to donate real estate as part of your legacy gift. Depending on how the gift is structured and your individual circumstances, this option may provide significant tax advantages.

    In some cases, arrangements can be made that allow you to continue living in your home for the remainder of your lifetime, while ensuring that the property will ultimately benefit First Unitarian’s Endowment Fund.

    Because real estate gifts can be structured in several ways, we encourage you to consult with your financial and legal advisors to determine the approach that best meets your needs.

Logo for First Unitarian Church of Rochester featuring colorful geometric rays and text 'The Legacy Society'.

Ready to Start the Conversation?

If you would like to learn more about making a legacy gift, we would be honored to begin that conversation with you.

You can contact us at legacy@Rochesterunitarian.org