Current Giving Methods

There are several ways you can donate to the St. Luke Foundation.  All donations are considered tax deductible.

CASH RESERVES:  Often people give CD's, money market funds, or other "rainy day" savings.  

APPRECIATED ASSETS:  St. Luke Lutheran Community can accept gifts of land or other real estate, stocks, securities, collections, works of art, or other types of personal property.  Often the fair market value of these assets is significantly in excess of cost. There are real tax advantages in donating appreciated assets, click here for an example.

EQUITY IN A HOME:  You could secure a home equity loan, or second mortgage, give a gift to the Foundation from what you borrow, and receive income tax benefits while assisting St. Luke Lutheran Community.

LIFE INSURANCE:  There are special ways you can use life insurance as a gift-giving device.  For examples click here.

MATCHING GIFTS:  Check with your employer to see if they have a matching gift program.  Your gift to the St. Luke Foundation might be matched in whole or in part.  Thrivent Financial for Lutherans "Simply Gifting" program can supersize your gift.

LOCAL INCENTIVE PROGRAMS:  Many state and local communities have tax saving incentives or matched gift incentives to encourage giving to charitable institutions.  Check with your local government offices to see what is available in your area. 

Planned Giving Opportunities

BEQUESTS:  Leave a legacy by providing a gift in your will and/or trust to family, friends, and/or the St. Luke Foundation.  A bequest is one of the simplest ways to remember those people and/or ministries you care about most.  Your charitable intentions can be stated as a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate.  To include St. Luke Foundation in your will or trust, click here.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY:  This concept enables you to transfer cash or marketable securities to the charitable organization issuing the gift annuity in exchange for a current income tax deduction and the organization's promise to make fixed annual payments to you for life. Annuity payments can begin immediately or can be deferred to some future date.  Click here to put information in a gift annuity calculator and see how this option works for you.

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST:  A charitable remainder trust is a custom designed and individually managed trust that enables you to retain a fixed income for your lifetime or a fixed term of years, claim a current income tax deduction, and make a future gift to charity.  In the right circumstances, this plan can increase your income, reduce your taxes, unlock appreciated investments, rid you of investment worries and ultimately provide very important support.

CHARITABLE LEAD TRUST:  A charitable lead annuity trust is a custom designed and individually managed trust that enables you to give a fixed annual amount to charity for either a fixed term of years or the life of one or more individuals.  Upon conclusion of the measuring term, the trust terminates and, according to the terms of the trust instrument, it distributes its remaining assets (called the remainder interest) back to you or to one or more individuals that you have specified.

LIFE INSURANCE:  Give insurance as a deferred gift. Transfer paid up policies or name the St. Luke Foundation as beneficiary of a new or existing policy. Click here for more information.

RETAINED LIFE ESTATE:  A life estate agreement is an arrangement whereby you transfer title of a personal residence, farm, or yacht to charity while retaining the right to occupy and otherwise enjoy the full use of the property for your choice of a term of years or the lifetime of one or more individuals.

Your consideration of the special giving methods described above can lead to action that will greatly benefit this ministry and may be of great personal benefit to you and your heirs.
 

The examples and information on this page are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax or legal advisor before proceeding with your estate plan.

For more information contact: