Our congregation today stands on the shoulders of the faithful people who have gone before us – those who founded our congregation, who had the foresight to build our buildings, and those who blessed us with our beautiful organ and the remodel of the sanctuary and social hall. 

As you consider your own legacy for our church, one powerful option is through a legacy gift. A legacy gift is an expression of you and your family's values. Gifts from your estate to any nonprofit organization, including First Congregational Church of Palo Alto, are a way for you to respond to the blessings you have received in your life. Your gift will make a lasting difference in the life and vitality of our ministry. It will ensure that our church continues to be a place in which people can find welcome and experience faith long into the future. 

While legacy gifts are planned for during the donor’s lifetime, they are not received by the beneficiary organization until the donor’s passing. There are many ways to plan for a legacy gift. Some gifts pay you income during your lifetime, while other gifts help reduce or avoid income and estate taxes. How you make your gift is important, but more important is the impact your legacy gift will have on the causes that matter to you most. 

If you are interested in making a legacy gift of any kind to our church, please get in touch with Rev. David Howell, ​Steven Ketchpel, or Bing Heckman. Whether it is to reach out to us to share your plans, let us know what you are considering, or just to start a confidential, no-obligation conversation about what’s possible, we would love to hear from you.
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Thank you for considering a legacy gift to First Congregational Church of Palo Alto.

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​Build the future! 
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Your Next Steps

First

Start a conversation with Rev. David Howell, Steven Ketchpel, or ​Bing Heckman.

Second

Seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor.

Third

Let our office team know your wishes.

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Legacy Testimonials
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​John and I joined FCCPA eight years ago. It was a difficult decision to look for a new church after being a Methodist all of my life. However, we had many friends at First Congo and immediately fell in love with the sanctuary, the organ and Joe, the marvelous choir and, of course, Pastor David Howell. He was the icing on the cake. We each added the church into our estate plan five years ago. A visit to our lawyer made it official. We wanted to be a part of something that brings great satisfaction and happiness to us as well as thought provoking messages from the pulpit. We learn so much about the bible, how to live our lives and how to renew our faith in God and mankind. Going to church and giving back makes us joyful.

- Patricia Parrish Davis, January 2020

​We are loyal long time church members who have seen the values of our church increase each year: not only to the church members, but also to the whole community.

In 1993 we started our Family Charitable Remainder Unit Trust in order to give a larger donation to the church. With this gift we hope to continue the church’s membership growth with an emphasis on its Sunday school and youth programs.

- Anne and Dick Schultz, January 2020

​Where we put our time and resources is how we invest ourselves. It would be nice if we could at least leave things better off. Everything is important, both big things and small. We are individually and collectively easily diverted. We need reminders. We need examples. Ones that we are inspired by are rare. It is hard to break through the many loud voices. Confusion is easy. There is a lot of distortion. Clarity is hard.

For me FCCPA is a rare example of clarity that stands out, in contrast to many others, in ways that reflect my values for social justice and connection with spirit. I would like my gift to help support the continued work and presence of FCCPA.

​Leave a legacy. Make a difference. Invest wisely.

- Bing Heckman, February 2020

I chose to make a legacy gift to FCCPA because I am grateful for its presence in my life and in our community. Being part of this faith community has provided a sense of continuity for me. It is the place where I turned for support in challenging times. I have shared moments of delight in musical performances that transport, sermons that inspire, forums that educate, and social justice events that focus my energies. I have seen the children from our church grow up to be impressive adults, and I have seen retirees using their golden years to bend the moral arc towards justice. 
 
Our church has been a fixture in the community for more than 100 years. Our campus is a community center and our ministerial staff is part of the influence that our church radiates into the community. We also stand as a vibrant example of progressive, mainstream Protestantism, demonstrating the role organized religion can play in our society for social justice.

Between the tech boom and dizzying increase in Bay Area property values, our generation has lived through the “seven fat years” that Joseph foretold to the Egyptians. By setting aside some of those resources for the future, our generation can provide in the same way that our founding members provided a place for us to worship and serve. I am grateful that some of the resources that have come to me in my lifetime will pass through me to FCCPA after my death, strengthening the institution and community that has meant so much to me. 

- Steve K, February 2020

To watch and hear more voices from our Congregation, click the links below:

Bill Reller & Elizabeth Moragne

George Kadifa

Sarah Howell

Your legacy will live on!
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