the FOUNDATION

Endowed Funds

Gifts to The Foundation for the Diocese of Helena, Inc. are placed in an endowment fund chosen by the donor. These funds will perpetually serve the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Helena and its mission through the years to come. Only the income from investments of the endowment’s principal will be used to meet program and ministry needs. The principal itself will remain intact and stand in lasting memory to the love and caring support of those whose sacrifice contributed to the fund.

Primary Endowment Funds include:

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Apostolic Mission Endowment Fund

Provides outreach, aid and support to the needy, and serves as a diocesan resource to address social justice issues.

Clergy Senior Status and Security Trust Endowment

Established with the gifts of generous benefactors who fittingly saw the need to provide for those men, in retirement, who gave their all for Christ and His Church, distributions from this endowment are added to the trust.

Dieringer Endowment for Major Seminarians

In 2006, Robert and Evelyn Dieringer of Portland, Oregon, approached Bishop Thomas with an offer of assistance in providing support for the seminarians in the Diocese of Helena. The couple established the Robert E. and Victoria E. Dieringer Endowment for the Education and Training of Major Seminarians with the Foundation in October 2006. Robert passed away in August 2007 and Evelyn followed in April of 2009. The Dieringer Endowment provides an essential, and perpetual, source of revenue in support of the seminarians preparing to serve the Diocese of Helena.

Guatemala Mission Endowment Fund

Provides a resource to assist with funding medical, educational and pastoral ministry to the Guatemalan people living in the area served by our Mission.

Lay Ministry and Diaconate Training Endowment Fund

Supports the education and training of the laity to assume the responsibilities of formal ministries in the Church.

Legendary Lodge Endowment

Supports Legendary Lodge, the diocesan camp and retreat facility on Salmon Lake.

Parish Endowment Fund

Each parish has its own endowment that can provide a dependable source of funds to underwrite parish programs, operation expenses and ministries for which a parish can faithfully budget each year.

Pastoral Outreach Endowment Fund

Provides the Bishop with funds that can be used to address pastoral areas of concern most in need within the diocese.

Priestly Formation and Development Endowment

One of the first endowments established in the Foundation, distributions from the Priestly Formation and Development Endowment are also used to provide for seminarian education as well as continuing education and vocation enrichment for our priests. Additionally, emergency assistance and priest retirement costs not covered by the Clergy Senior Status and Security Trust are supported by this endowment.

Spiritual Growth and Renewal Endowment Fund

Supports the programs and institutions of the diocese that are resources for spiritual education, growth and renewal, such as Cursillo.

Youth & Young Adult Ministry and Formation Endowment

Initially funded with a percentage of the proceeds of the Son Light Celebration, income from the endowment supports the personnel and programs of the diocese which are resources for the formation, growth and renewal of our youth and young adults.