Do you Have a Heart to Give?

Planned Giving is your Lasting Legacy

What can I give back to GOD
for the blessings he's poured out on me?
Psalm 116:12 msg

Planned giving is the result of a desire to be the very best steward of the resources that God has entrusted you with. Such stewardship requires serious thought, intentional planning, and careful consideration.

Planned giving is an intentional effort to give to the ministries that you care about. It considers the best kind of gift for each ministry, the best way of giving the gift, and the effects of the gift(s) on your taxes, estate planning, and other priorities of your life. Below, you will find our Donor's Bill of Rights and a number of giving options.

Planned Giving Seminar

World Ministry Advance offers a Planned Giving Seminar. The seminar covers a wide variety of issues in planned giving including estate planning (with important information about your will or living trust), gifts of securities, insurance, IRA gifts, and property. In addition, gifts that produce income are explored. This no pressure seminar encourages vision and passion for ministries, and gives vital information to people with a heart to give. Call World Ministry Advance at 800-848-2464 or email us at wma@chog.org.

 
Giving Options

There are a variety of ways to give. Some, but not all, of the ways are included in this section. If you want to make a gift, call and let us discuss your options to help the ministry you love. Call 800-848-2464 and ask for World Ministry Advance or e-mail us at wma@chog.org.

Cash
This refers to currency, checks, and money orders. Simple and easy, this is the most popular way to give. Of course, there may be tax advantages.

Bequest
By giving through your will or living trust, your passion for ministry can have an enduring impact. You can specify a gift of a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder of your estate after paying out all other bequests. All or part of your bequest may be deductible when calculating estate and inheritance taxes.

IRA's
The remainder of your IRA may be heavily taxed (as much as 80%) at your death. A gift of this remainder may be tax exempt.

Marketable Securities
These are securities such as stocks or bonds which are listed on an exchange.

A gift of appreciated securities has certain financial advantages. No capital gain tax is paid on stock given to charity. The fair market value of the securities is deductible as an itemized charitable contribution for federal income tax.

Used in conjunction with other forms of giving, these gifts can have significant tax advantages for the donor.

Charitable Gift Annuities
With a contribution of cash or securities, you can make a gift now and also provide yourself with income for your needs. Tax advantages apply. Through a charitable gift annuity, a fixed interest rate provides a stream of income for life. The interest rate follows accepted rates for charitable gift annuities, which are based on age. Income can begin immediately or at a later date.

Charitable Remainder Trusts
Such trusts are a good way to make a gift while receiving an income stream. They are excellent for reducing or eliminating estate taxes and for avoiding capital gains taxes. The trust is created by your gift of assets (e.g., cash, stocks, real estate).

Payments from the trust can be made to you and/or others for life or a specified period of time (up to twenty years). Rates, fixed or variable, are negotiated. At the end of the trust period, the remaining assets are transferred to your designated ministry.

Property
Gifts of real estate and personal property often provide an income tax deduction and avoid capital gains taxes. Such gifts are reviewed on an individual basis. Please contact World Ministry Advance for discussion.

Donor's Bill of Rights

Church of God Ministries is a member of ECFA--Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. As an ECFA member, Church of God Ministries guarantees that donors have the right to:

• Know how the funds of Church of God Ministries are being spent.
• Know what the programs you support are accomplishing.
• Know that Church of God Ministries is in compliance with federal, state, and municipal laws.
• Restrict or designate your gifts to a particular project.
• A response to your inquiries about finances and programs.
• Visit office and program sites of Church of God Ministries to talk personally with the staff.
• Give without being high-pressured by Church of God Ministries.
• Know that Church of God Ministries is well managed.
• Know that there is a responsible governing board and know who those board members are
• Know that all appeals for funds are truthful and accurate.

For more information, contact:

Kirk Bookout Church Relations Consultant KBookout@chog.org 765-648-2144 800-848-2464, ext. 2144