Planned Giving

Honorary Gifts

Gifts made in honor of your relationship, family and friends, at times such as a special anniversary, holy union, wedding, baptism, birthday, birth or adoption of a child, a special holiday or other notable occasion can be the right time for a gift of love that shows how much you care. Donors will be acknowledged by the church and individuals will be notified of all gifts made in their honor.

Memorial Gifts

A memorial gift allows you to thoughtfully remember partners, family members, and friends who have been such a vital part of your life. Upon the loss of a loved one, some families prefer to have gifts directed to charitable organizations in lieu of flowers. Donors will be acknowledged by the church and family members will be notified of the names and addresses of all individuals who make memorial gifts.

Charitable Bequests

A bequest in your Will or Living Trust is an uncomplicated way to be part of the future of the church. A bequest may take several forms. It can be a specific sum, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder of your estate after expenses and gifts to loved ones. Bequests can include property such as valuable collections, art, jewelry or real state.

Securities and Stocks

Gifts of appreciated securities may offer substantial tax advantages. These include avoiding capital gains tax entirely, and an income charitable deduction for the fair market values of the securities.

Life Insurance

If you own life insurance which you may no longer need for the protection of your family, you may want to consider giving it to the church. You can also simply name the church as the beneficiary or contingent beneficiary of your policy.

Gifts of Retirement Plans

Retirement plans like a 401 (k), 403 (b), IRA, etc. provide significant income during the lifetime of most retirees. Many retirees, however, are unaware of how severely their retirement plans will be taxed when the residual estate is given to a friend or relative after the owner’s death. In some instances, heirs can receive as little as 30% of the plan after taxes. As a consequence, a retirement plan is a good gift to leave the church, as well as an easy gift to make. If you have a traditional IRA or pension plan, you can designate the church as the beneficiary of any remaining funds you do not use. By making this charitable gift, you ensure that your estate will also receive a charitable deduction for the full value of the remaining assets. Because retirement plans are often a significant portion of one’s estate, it is important to review your plan with an attorney.