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Give the Tree and Give the Fruit

Make a gift that uses your asset and any income from the asset to help a ministry of your choice. Please contact us if you desire further assistance or explanation of these options by filling out our contact us form or calling 1-800-843-5233 any time between 7:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., CT, Monday through Friday.

Six Options For Giving the Tree and the Fruit

  1. Direct Gift

    • This type of gift is suitable for those who wish to make an immediate impact in ministry.
    • A direct gift may be made with cash, securities, real estate or personal property.
    • A direct gift of securities or real estate is often more complex and may need special handling.
    • Gifts of personal property (example—artwork, machinery or jewelry).
    • A tax deduction is received for the year the gift is received. (For non-cash gifts, there may be some limitations.)
    • Gifting outright a portion of all or part of an annuity, IRA, or other qualified plan.
    • Give some of the increase income from a charitable gift annuity to ministry.

  2. Donor-Advised Fund

    • This type of gift is suitable for an individual who wishes to help designate the ministry recipient of the annual fund income. A donor-advised fund is a marvelous substitute for a private foundation.
    • Individual gifts of $20,000 or more are used to set up a donor-advised fund. Future additions to this fund may be made by any individual.
    • Each year, the donor (and/or family) advises where he/she (the donor) and/or family wish the annual fund income to be distributed.
    • This fund works similarly to a private foundation but without some of the restrictions.
    • At some point in the future, the fund principal is to be fully distributed to designated ministry(ies) per the guidelines/policies set up at the fund’s inception.
    • A tax deduction is received for the initial funding (and any future addition) to this fund.

  1. Individual Endowment/Memorial Fund

    • This type of gift is suitable for those who wish to implement a gift that “keeps on giving” to the ministry of their choice.
    • $10,000 or more is used to establish an individual endowment or memorial fund.
    • $5,000 or more is used to set up a congregational or school endowment fund.
    • Individuals (through direct gifts or deferred giving plans) or congregations can establish these funds.
    • Income from an individual endowment fund is paid to the ministry of your choice for a designated term.
    • Memorial and ministry endowment funds pay income to a ministry for a designated term. A ministry may withdraw principal based on the guidelines/policies of the fund when it was first implemented.

  2. Bequest

    • This type of gift is suitable for those who wish to use their assets during their lifetime and then give a portion back to ministry after they have passed away.
    • In a will or living trust, the donor provides for gifts that occur at death.
    • For large estates, a Gift Planning Counselor can help the donor and tax or legal advisors understand complex gift planning techniques.

  1. Life Insurance Policy

    • This type of gift is suitable for those who wish to make a sizeable future gift to a favorite ministry.
    • The first step in this process is transferring ownership of the policy on the owner’s life over to LCEF or another ministry.
    • The individual can receive a charitable deduction for the contribution made to the ministry (equal to the premium on the policy), which the ministry uses to make the premium payment to the insurance company.

  2. Beneficiary Designation/Paid On Death (POD)

    • This type of gift is suitable for those who wish to make a simple gift (of a contractual asset that is needed during life) to ministry after they have passed away.
    • Naming LCEF and/or a favorite ministry as beneficiary on life insurance contracts, IRAs, or certain investments is an appealing manner in which to make a gift. With many of these assets, a tax deduction can be realized, and probate of the assets can be eliminated.
    • Paid On Death (POD) is another form of naming a beneficiary of a contractual asset.
Gift Planning Services Forms
Gift Planning Services Brochures

Gift Annuity Agreement Application

Additional Forms

Gift Annuity Brochure

Additional Brochures
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Have a question?
Fill out our Contact Us Form, or call the Lutheran Church Extension Fund at 1-800-843-5233, 7:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., CT, Monday through Friday.
Page last updated May 17, 2008