In December 2005, Father Dominic Duggins, director of Glenmary’s development office, announced the establishment of the Glenmary Missions and Ministries Endowment, a first in Glenmary’s history.

The endowment—a longtime dream of Glenmary leadership— has been made possible through the generosity of Glenmary donors and planned-givers Ronald and Kathleen Hingst. Their leadership gift provided the seed money to establish the endowment.

“It is my hope that this gift can help provide ongoing support for the ministries of Glenmary,” says Mr. Hingst. His gift, earmarked as The Hingst Family Endowment, is part of the larger fund.

The endowment is an investment account which produces earnings each year, earnings that will be used to help meet regular operating expenses, provide funds for start-up missions, help fund lay professional ministers, supplement important programs and services and make possible other initiatives that enrich the overall quality of Glenmary’s ministry.

As the endowment fund’s principal grows, the interest generated will provide Glenmary with a continuous source of funding, helping to achieve long-range financial stability.

“The more I learn about Glenmary’s work, the more I admire them. I contribute to other Catholic nonprofits, but Glenmary always rises to the top,” Mr. Hingst says. “I like that Glenmarians bring a real personal touch to their ministry as they reach out to the poor in America.”

“We at Glenmary are so grateful for the generosity of the Hingst family in helping keep alive the dream of our founder, Father William Howard Bishop that a Catholic church community be established in every county of the United States,” says Father Dominic.

Mr. Hingst has committed to add to his initial gift on an annual basis. “This endowment provides a framework in which I can contribute yearly,” he says. “And it’s a way to ensure that what we do lives a little longer and continues to contribute to the mission for years to come.” Mr. Hingst has also remembered Glenmary in his estate plan.

Glenmary needs other loyal donors to consider a gift to this endowment as well. The goal is to grow the endowment to $5 million. Additional contributions have been made since December and the endowment currently totals over $100,000. And every little bit helps.

“It’s our hope that our partners in mission will see the importance of this endowment and contribute to it while maintaining their current level of annual giving,” Father Dominic says. “The commitment of donors like the Hingsts to build and strengthen the endowment is appreciated not only by those presently served, but also by future generations who will benefit from the services Glenmary offers.”

“Charitable giving is like a drop of water added to the ocean,” Mr. Hingst says. “All those drops contribute to the whole and grow the whole. It’s the combined efforts of everyone that creates results.”

About 25 percent of Glenmary’s annual income currently comes from bequests, reports planned giving officer Susan Lambert. “Since bequest income is not guaranteed, this endowment will help sustain Glenmary’s ministries in the years when bequest income may be down,” she says.

Gifts of any amount can be made to the endowment fund. But with a gift of $25,000 or more, a donor can establish a named endowment to honor or memorialize family members or friends.

Mr. Hingst has no doubt that the money generated from the unrestricted endowment will be put to good use by Glenmary. “I’m just happy that this endowment will help meet their needs.”

When the fund reaches $5 million Father Dominic hopes to fund six pastoral ministers to support—and expand—Glenmary’s efforts in the impoverished counties of Appalachia, the South and Southwest.
“We’re very excited about the possibilities this endowment opens for Glenmary, and most especially, for those we serve in the home missions,” Father Dominic says.

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