Legacy Giving - Grace Lutheran Church

Live Generously!

At Grace we want to encourage a lifestyle that is fueled by intentional, generous, and courageous giving.

As Christians we know that service to Christ is not only through words. Oftentimes, our actions, such as intentionally leaving a planned gift of money or property to Grace Lutheran Church, will become our “legacy of ministry”. Our love, values, and generosity will be saved as a legacy in the hearts and lives of our children and grandchildren.

It is our hope that by supporting the ministries at Grace, we will be teaching our children to be generous, participating in the ongoing sustainability of an excellent ministry until Jesus Christ returns.

Charitable Bequests

When making a bequest, you designate our organization as the beneficiary of your asset by will, trust, or beneficiary designation form. A charitable bequest is one of the easiest and most flexible ways that you can leave a gift to Grace Lutheran Church that will make a lasting impact.

Benefits of a bequest

Receive an estate tax charitable deduction ✓
Reduce the burden of taxes on your family ✓
Leave a lasting legacy to charity ✓

How a bequest works

A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make. With the help of an attorney, you can include language in your will or trust that specifies a gift to be made to family, friends, or Grace Lutheran Church as a part of your estate plan. You can also make a bequest using a beneficiary designation form.

Here are some of the ways to leave a bequest to Grace Lutheran Church

Include a bequest to Grace Lutheran Church in your will or revocable trust
Designate Grace Lutheran Church as a full, partial or contingent beneficiary of your retirement account (IRA, 401(K), 403(b), or pension)
Name Grace Lutheran Church as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy

There are a few types of bequests to choose from

Percentage bequest – make a gift of a percentage of your estate
Specific bequest – make a gift of a specific dollar amount or a specific asset
Residual bequest – make a gift from the balance or residue of your estate

Click here to review sample bequest language.

If you have been so generous as to include a bequest to Grace Lutheran church as part of your estate plan, please take the time to let us know. We would like to recognize you and your family for your generosity.

Create a Lasting Legacy

Grace is on the journey with Jesus in our community through life groups, mission efforts, Bible studies, livestreaming worship, providing a loving family-oriented preschool, as well as social and athletic opportunities. There are so many things yet to come. At Grace, you have the opportunity to lead these efforts with your legacy. You will be able to pass forward an enormous value to the next generation, and demonstrate the importance of using the gifts which God has given to you. By leaving a legacy, you can make a difference in the lives of others! Contact us for further information.

Gift Examples

Fixed Income for Retirement

Capital Gains Tax Bypassed

Endowment Gift

The Retirement Unitrust

Flexible Deferred Gift Annuity

Current Gifts

Unspent Retirement Savings

A Bequest to Save Taxes

Bequest of Insurance Policy Proceeds

Tax Free Sale

Peace of Mind Gift Annuity

Sale and Unitrust

Property Turns Into Income

Part Gift and Part Sale

Deferred Gift Annuity

Gift Annuity for Real Estate

Leading for the Future

Legacy Deo

The Lutheran Church also offers assistance with gift and legacy planning through Legacy Deo. Contact them: 1.800.880.3733 or legacydeo.org/about/contact

Ways to Give	Your Goals and Benefits	How It Works
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT	Control your assets during your lifetime Leave legacy gifts to family and ministry	Stipulate a specific amount or percentage of your state for family and the ministries you wish to remember
CHARITABLE REMAINDER UNITRUST (CRUT)	Lifetime income for self and spouse Additional income for family Future gift to church and favorite ministries Increased income from appreciated assets Avoid capital gains Reduced income tax burden	Give cash or other assets to Legacy Deo to fund your CRUT Legacy Deo sells assets without capital gains tax You receive income tax deduction Lifetime income for you and your spouse Income to other family for up to 20 years CRUT remainder given to ministries you choose
CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY (CGA)	Lifetime income for self and spouse Increased income from appreciated assets Avoid capital gains Reduced income tax burden Future gift to Legacy Deo	Give cash or other assets to Legacy Deo to fund CGA Legacy Deo sells assets without capital gains tax You receive income tax deduction Lifetime fixed income for you and your spouse Much of annual CGA income is tax-free CGA remainder becomes gift to Legacy Deo
BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION	Retained ownership of financial accounts, life insurance policies, retirement plans throughout lifetime Gifts to family and ministry without probate at time of death	Complete beneficiary designation forms provided by bank, insurance company or investment firm Keep your forms updated and current At time of death, designated gifts are distributed
DONOR ADVISED FUND (DAF)	Gifts made now can be distributed later Freedom to choose charitable recipients year after year Current income tax deduction	Give cash or other assets to Legacy Deo DAF assets invested by Legacy Deo for future distribution You advise Legacy Deo when, how much and to which recipients your gift should be distributed Additional gifts may be added at any time

WHAT TO GIVE	Your Goals and Benefits	How It Works
CASH	Simplicity in giving Increase tax deductions	An immediate short-term or permanent financial impact on your favorite ministry An immediate charitable income tax deduction Possible increased income while you are living
STOCKS AND BONDS	Give appreciated securities to benefit your favorite ministry Give in a tax-efficient manner	Avoid capital gains tax An immediate charitable income tax deduction Possible increased income while you are living
REAL ESTATE	Give appreciated real property (ranch, farm, home, vacation property, land, mineral interest) to benefit a ministry Give in a tax-efficient manner	Avoid capital gains tax An immediate charitable income tax deduction Possible increased income while you are living
RETIREMENT ASSETS	Give retirement assets (IRA, 401K, 403b, pension or other tax-deferred plan) by naming a full or partial charitable beneficiary of your plan	Reduced tax burden to family members on inherited retirement assets A potential estate tax charitable deduction
LIFE INSURANCE	Repurpose an existing policy to benefit your favorite ministry	Repurpose an existing policy to benefit your favorite ministry A potential income tax or estate tax deduction Flexibility to make gift now or later

This information is not intended as tax, legal or financial advice. Gift results may vary. Consult your personal financial advisor for information specific to your situation.