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The Diocese of Ohio is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion represented in the United States by The Episcopal Church.
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A planned gift is any gift that a donor plans and thoughtfully arranges with their church, diocese, or any charitable organization. It may be an outright gift of cash, but frequently it is made with stock or other property. Often one completes a planned gift over several month or years – even after one’s death.
Note: always consult with your lawyer or financial advisor before you make any final estate planning decisions. It is equally important to discuss your decisions with family members so that they may understand and support your decisions.
Isn't planned giving just for people with a great deal of money who can make big contributions?
Planned giving meets the needs of the donor first and is a very versatile. A planned gift can be especially helpful to older donors and those of us on fixed incomes. Many planned gifts provide income directly to the donor during his or her lifetime and then go to one’s church or chosen Episcopal charity upon death. There are many ways to plan your gift.
Given the economy we feel we must be cautious with our finances - so it is hard for us to be generous. Do we have options for making a planned gift?
Planned giving is precisely for generous spirited people who may not have much cash liquidity. You may actually increase monthly income during your lifetime by making an irrevocable planned gift to your church or diocese.
Recently the tax laws governing the use of the balance of your IRA for charitable giving at the time of death have become more lenient. Usually gifts of stock or from your IRA are tax free, and often help to reduce your income tax as well.
There is a planned gift to fit everyone’s needs. Most planned gifts are in the form of a bequest, a charitable remainder trust, a gift annuity, or life insurance policy. You make the commitment now, but the gift to the church comes after you die. For example, anyone may name the church to receive a bequest in his or her will.
You said there are many ways to plan a planned gift to my church or diocese, can you be more specific?
Most commonly, donors leave a bequest of cash, land, or securities in their will.
A charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust pay the donor and the donor’s spouse money during lifetime and then become a remainder gift to the church upon the death of the donors.
Naming the church as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or of retirement accounts is another gift planning opportunity.
Gifts of appreciated stock or property can be an excellent form of gift planning.
Bequests
Most planned gifts are made as bequests through one’s will or estate plan. In fact, almost 80% of all planned gifts are bequests. You may not need to rewrite your will in order to include to a bequest to your church or the diocese, as a codicil will suffice. Your attorney will advise you on the best way to handle a bequest.
Charitable Gift Annuity
A charitable gift annuity is a gift agreement between the donor and the Church. In exchange for your gift, the church agrees to pay one or more people
Charitable Remainder Trust
The origin of the term trust comes from the Middle Ages. When heads of households went on long journeys, such as the knights going off to the Crusades, they generally left their assets with a trusted friend or associate to be managed “in trust” until they returned. Today the term refers to money or property held and managed by someone other than its owner.
Life Insurance as a Planned Gift
Life insurance is a relatively straightforward way to make a planned gift, because you name the church as beneficiary or owner of your life insurance. You and your insurance agent or financial advisor should first talk with the Rector, however. There are some circumstances under which the church would not wish to become owner of a policy.
Appreciated Stock or Property
Giving appreciated stock allows a donor to “realign a portfolio,” balance charitable contributions against annual taxes, and be generous to the church. Remember that the charitable tax deduction you declare as donor is for the full market value of your stock gift.
A Christian Preamble to Your Will
A Christian Preamble to your will provides a significant opportunity to share your faith with family and friends. Through this personal statement of your faith, an important message will be delivered to those who love and know you best. This message of faith comes at a time of grief and loss and serves as a reminder to them to place their trust in Jesus Christ as you have. Remember this may be the last document they read about you, their loved one.
Planned Giving (4)
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