Giving Glory to God

O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord;
praise him and magnify him for ever.
O ye angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord;
praise him and magnify him for ever.
O all ye fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord;
O all ye beasts and cattle, bless ye the Lord;
O ye children of all, bless ye the Lord;
praise him and magnify him for ever.

                                “The Song of Creation,” Book of Common Prayer, p. 47

Community because of Holy Trinity, through Holy Trinity, and at Holy Trinity has saved and enriched lives for the past 125 years, through the Great Depression, through wars and cultural challenges, and most recently, through the COVID 19 Pandemic. With the help of members, former members, neighbors, friends, and strangers, we continue to offer a place of refuge and rejoicing for all who come our way.

You can help support current and future community at Holy Trinity in very a tangible way— by making an annual pledge to The Church of the Holy Trinity for 2025. This is an investment in the ministry of Holy Trinity, funding both our operating budget and community outreach efforts. As the COVID-19 pandemic has made life more financially uncertain for many people, it has likewise impacted Holy Trinity and those we serve.

There are several ways to make donations.

Gifts can be made in cash, by check, online, or through securities.

Plate offerings during a service are a time-honored way to give during a service. These offerings can be made with cash or a check made payable to “The Church of the Holy Trinity.” Offerings made in honor or memory of a loved one or an event are welcomed. One can also use a mobile device or smartphone to text COHT316 to 73256 .

Pledging is a decision to commit to a goal of giving a portion of our resources and sticking to it. A pledge is disciplined giving, a commitment with a purpose. It can be made by letter or email or online at any time, as well as through the annual pledge card mailed to all parishioners and friends in the fall. Those who pledge may receive offering envelopes by which they can give their donation spaced out over the year.

Capital giving helps meet expenditures that cannot be met through the regular annual parish budget. Major renovations and updates have been made to our church and Parish House during recent years and others are in the planning stages.

Planned giving refers to giving that is decided now but realized later. Typically, it is giving that is specified in a person’s will or through a trust contingent on a specified event. To frame the giving in the best way, contact the Parish Office as indicated below. In addition to gifts by cash and check, the planned giving section also discusses ways of giving appreciated securities, annuities, and distributions that can benefit both Holy Trinity and the donor.

The parish is listed as a 501(c)(3) institution under the US Internal Revenue Code. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Please send any donations to:

The Church of the Holy Trinity
316 East 88th Street
New York, NY 10128-4909

For more information, contact the Parish Office at (212)289-4100 x 201 (Parish secretary) or (212)289-4100 x 204 (Rector)

Planned Giving

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:34)

For more than 100 years, Holy Trinity has stood as a place of respite, beauty, and welcome on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. “Trefoil” comes from the Latin word for three-leaved and refers to a triangular design often used to symbolize the Holy Trinity. In 2005, the Trefoil Society was created to celebrate those who have chosen to remember Holy Trinity in their financial planning. To become a member, simply let us know that you have named The Church of the Holy Trinity in your estate, retirement fund, or life insurance planning.

The Trefoil Society and the Stewardship Team encourage planned gifts in support of the mission and ministry of Holy Trinity. The twin purposes of a formal planned giving program are set forth in The Book of Common Prayer, page 445:

1)  To encourage parishioners to protect their families by having a will.
2)  To encourage Christians to include the church in wills or estate plans.

Planned gifts may be bequests in wills, life-income gifts, or gifts of real estate, retirement funds, and life insurance. Planned giving is an important ministry to our congregation and to the church.

If you have already named The Church of the Holy Trinity in your estate planning documents or life insurance policies, please let us know by calling or Erlinda Brent,  Parish Secretary, in the Parish Office at (212)289-4100, ext. 201, so that we may add you to the Trefoil Society. If you would like more information on planned giving opportunities, please email the Rev. John F. Beddingfield, Rector, or call at (212)289-4100, ext. 204.

Thank you for your consideration as we plan for Holy Trinity’s future—a future that, with your help, will be as glorious as its past.

Tax Information

The parish is listed as a 501(c)(3) institution under the US Internal Revenue Code. All gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Seeking advice from your financial consultant is always advisable.

Giving Securities. By making a gift of appreciated securities owned for more than 12 months, you can deduct the entire amount of your gift, which includes the original cost of the securities plus its appreciation. This way, you avoid paying a capital gains tax on its appreciation and the deduction is based on the value of the securities when transferred to the church, as well as deductible up to 30% of your adjusted gross income. Excess deductions can be carried over for up to five years. Cash gifts are deductible up to 50% of your adjusted gross income.

Receiving Income from Your Gift as well as a Tax Deduction. Some of our parishioners have asked how they can make a gift to Holy Trinity and reserve income for life for one or two people. You can choose between fixed or variable income payments (charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust). Besides receiving income, you will receive a charitable deduction for part of what you give. If you use appreciated securities or other assets, you may reduce your capital gains taxes.

Providing Income to The Church of the Holy Trinity While Benefiting Your Loved Ones. Some of our parishioners have begun to think about retirement, estate planning, charities they want to support, and the transfer of wealth to their children. You can establish a gift that will provide income to the church for a number of years, with assets passing to your children in later years (charitable lead trust). This way, you reduce your income taxes and future gift taxes and avoid estate taxes on your original gift and its appreciation.

Making Gifts from Your Business. If you are an owner of a closely-held corporation, you can contribute stock in your company to the church and receive a tax deduction for the value of your gift.

Additional information on giving options can be found on the Episcopal Church Foundation’s website at www.episcopalgifts.org.