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Gifting & Giving Page
There are many ways a donor can make a gift to the ministry of your choice
through the LCMS Foundation. The information provided here is not all-inclusive.
But, hopefully, it will stimulate further donor inquiry and allow us
the opportunity to help you determine how you can make a gift on an
individual and confidential basis. With your help, your gift will
help sustain the
ministry of your choice through the LCMS Foundation.
Current Gifts
Cash Gifts
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Tax deductible if donor itemizes deductions.
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Up to
50 percent of adjusted gross income can be deducted in any one
year.
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Excess can be deducted over the next five years.
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Actual savings depends on tax rate.
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The higher the
tax rate, the greater the savings.
Pledges
Matching
Gifts
Appreciated Property
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If a long-term
capital asset (owned more than a year), property should be given
outright.
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Avoids payment of capital gains tax due if property
were sold.
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Deduction given for full value of property, limited
to 30 percent of adjusted gross income.
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Excess beyond 30 percent can
be carried forward for five years.
Property That Has Lost Value
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Donor
sells property, takes loss for tax purposes, contributes cash received
from sale.
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Deduction allowed for both the loss and the charitable
gift.
Real Estate
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Donor can make gift of residence, farm or vacation
home, reserving right of occupancy for as long
as donor and spouse live.
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Irrevocable gift qualifies for immediate tax deduction
based on present value of remainder
interest.
Marketable Securities
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Donor can make a gift of stocks, bonds, or mutual
funds
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Assign directly to your ministry of choice or, preferably,
transfer through broker.
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Amount of contribution is fair market
value on the date of transfer.
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Produces a current tax deduction
equal to the fair market value of the marketable
security.
Deferred Gifts
Charitable Gift Annuity
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Provides
a fixed income for the lifetime(s) of one or two annuitants.
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Amount
paid determined by rates recommended by American Council on Gift
Annuities.
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The older the annuitant, the higher the level of
income.
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Portion of gift is tax deductible.
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Portion of income
may be tax-free.
Deferred Gift Annuity
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Offers increased income and
tax benefits.
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Includes all basic features and benefits of a gift
annuity.
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Income delayed until a future date chosen by donor.
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Rate
of return and tax deduction dependent on length of income delay.
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Operates much like a mutual fund.
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Contributions pooled
and managed by investment advisors.
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Income paid to donor and second
person, if desired, until beneficiaries are deceased.
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Income fluctuates
based on earnings of fund.
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Immediate tax deduction for portion
of gift.
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Avoids capital gains tax if appreciated securities
are given.
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Gifts to Pooled Income Fund are irrevocable.
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Trust assets are funds or property contributed by
donor (usually $100,000 or more).
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Flexibility in type of property
that can be donated.
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Real estate and municipal bonds may be used.
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Provides
a fixed amount of income. (Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust)
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Provides a variable level of income. (Charitable
Remainder Unitrust)
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Donor provides assets for
use for a limited period of time.
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Funds are invested to provide
income to the ministry of your choice.
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Assets returned to donor
or to estate at end of designated period.
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Can fulfill a pledge
while reducing estate and gift taxes that might otherwise
be due on assets given outright to heirs.
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Protects
inheritance interests of heirs.
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Contributes assets to the ministry
of your choice outright or through planned
giving vehicles.
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Using resulting tax savings, donor purchases a life
insurance policy with
heirs as beneficiaries.
Life Insurance
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Name your chosen ministry sole owner and beneficiary
of paid-up policy.
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Receive income tax deduction for the cash surrender
value of policy.
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If policy not fully paid, continue to pay premiums.
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Receive tax deduction for annual premium amounts.
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Outright bequests, as well as certain bequests in
trust, are not subject to estate taxes.
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Actual cost is less than face
value of gift because of tax benefits to estate.
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Bequest can take
any of following forms:
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Bequest of a dollar amount of particular
securities or other property.
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Residual bequest of all
or portion of estate after payment of specific amounts to
other beneficiaries.
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Contingent bequest to take effect if other
beneficiaries die before the donor.
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A bequest can often be
arranged simply with the addition of
a codicil amending an existing
will.
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