The Library

PLANNED GIVING and ENDOWMENT

All of us are indebted to the past, to those who precede us. We drink from wells we have not dug. We enjoy liberties we have not won. We share faith whose foundations we have not laid.

At the same time, we are seeds of the future, for those who succeed us. We dream and envision and set things in motion. The fruition of our decisions will be known only to others whom we will not meet. We are called to partner in faith with those who have gone before us and to offer the best that we have to give to those who will follow.

DONATE DIRECTLY FROM AN IRA TO THE CHURCH IN 2007

No income tax means more for good works
Consider making 2007 charitable donations from your IRA. The Pension Protection act of 2006 allows IRA owners age 70.5 and older to direct gifts from IRA accounts straight to public charities. The qualified gifts count as required minimum distributions from an IRA and are excluded from taxpayer income.

Qualified charitable distributions from an IRA require:
• You must be age 70.5 or older on the date of the gift.

Questions to Ask About a Church’s Endowment Program

How did you get your endowment started?

How do you invite people to contribute to the endowment?

What how has your endowment affected your annual stewardship?

Has your endowment enabled your congregation do that it was not doing before?

Has your endowment made it possible for your annual stewardship program to grow?

What have you learned form your endowment program that would help others to start an endowment?

What is the role of your pastor in helping with your endowment?