Diocesan Endowments

Honor Our Tradition, Build for the Future, Mercy in Mission

Letter from Bishop Smith on the Launch of the Bishop's Appeal

Dear Friends in Christ,

I cannot think of a better way of sharing the joy of Christ’s resurrection than giving a gift that keeps on giving in the name of our Lord and Savior, who “… came not to be served but to serve…” (Mark 10:45) As part of your serving others in His name, please prayerfully consider a generous gift to invest in our future.

I have chosen this time of year for our appeal because it is through the Miracle of Easter that we can do all things in the name of our Risen Lord. Many of our congregations are dealing with issues of domestic poverty, food kitchens, homeless ministry and more. I am asking for your support as we establish a Permanent Legacy in the Diocese of Southwest Florida to serve the unmet needs in our communities and to continue to offer a sacred place for people to gather. We need your financial contributions to do this. Your charitable gift to the Episcopal Charities Endowment Fund or the DaySpring Endowment Fund will be a blessing and will have a significant impact on our ability to fulfill our diocesan vision.

The Episcopal Charities Endowment Fund encourages and supports congregation-based community outreach ministries as we build for the future with mercy in mission. This fund strengthens our ability to support the mission of Christ by serving the poor and marginalized people throughout our diocesan community. A 10 percent tithe of the funds will be used to support diocesan-wide community outreach ministries in the calendar year 2011, some of which are highlighted on the Mission and Ministries tab including the Episcopal Charities Fund and Bishop's Appeal web pages. The remaining 90 percent of your contribution to this endowment will be used to ensure vital support for future generations.

Dayspring Endowment Fund gifts are given to our camp and conference center to enable this ministry to continue for generations to come. By honoring our tradition, 100 percent of your gift will be devoted to establishing and growing this fund as a permanent endowment.

I am grateful for your prayerful consideration and financial support of these endowments which will help us realize our vision of honoring our tradition and building for the future through mercy in mission.

It is my honor to share with you the names of our legacy donors.

Faithfully yours,
The Right Reverend Dabney T. Smith
Fifth Bishop of Southwest Florida

 Legacy Donors

These legacy donors to existing endowments have honored our tradition by sharing a portion of the wealth God bestowed upon them. Their gifts will enrich others' lives for years to come.

Future gifts to Episcopal Charities will ensure that the diocese and our congregations continue their mercy in mission. Our Jubilee congregations and many others support ministries and advocacy for the poor--both in our diocese, in the Dominican Republic and throughout the world. 

Children and adults will benefit from the spiritual awakening and quiet reflection possible at the diocese's DaySpring Conference Center. Annual income from the DaySpring Endowment benefits programs and improves the quality of campus facilities.

Here are other areas which our legacy donors have chosen to support with their endowment gifts:

Donate Now

To the Episcopal Charities Endowment Fund or DaySpring Endowment Fund, or in any way that you feel called to leave a legacy.

• Donate to the current year Bishop's Appeal
• For details on the logistics of financial gifts contact: Mike Booher, Chief Financial Officer
• Questions?  Talk to The Rev. Canon Chris Gray, Canon for Development