Gift Planning Guide

Your gifts to United Methodist-related causes will support Christ-centered mission and ministry efforts aimed at changing lives worldwide.

Outright Gifts
Gifts may be made outright with no retained interest by the donor. These gifts can be made for the general uses and purposes of the assisted ministry or restricted for a specific purpose. Gifts can be made with cash or appreciated property. Generally, the donor will receive a charitable deduction for the full value of the property given. Further, in the case of gifts of appreciated property, the donor may avoid capital gains taxes by making such a gift. There are limitations however, on the amount of charitable deduction available to taxpayers in any given year.

Life Income Gifts
A life income gift enables a donor to provide income for life to himself (or herself) and, if desired, to a survivor, and ultimately benefit United Methodist ministries. Several types of these gifts yield a substantial tax and financial benefits to the donor. However, since the donor retains an income interest for life, the charitable deduction will be less than an outright gift of the same amount. The deduction will be reduced by an amount computed taking into account both the amount of income received annually and the donor's life expectancy.

The Foundation offers three types of life income gifts to benefit United Methodist ministries:

• The Charitable Remainder Unitrust pays a fixed percentage based on annual fair market value.
• The Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust pays a fixed amount based on the beginning fair market value.
• The Charitable Gift Annuity pays a fixed amount based on rates established by the Council on Gift Annuities. Part of the income from a gift annuity is tax sheltered.

The gift calculator will show possible tax implications of your proposed gift.

Additional Benefits of Giving to United Methodist Ministries
The size of a donor's probate estate is reduced by the amount of the gift and, thereby, reduces estate taxes. In addition, the donor is relieved of worries of managing the donated assets.

The United Methodist Church Foundation or your state foundation would be pleased to work with you or any interested person and their financial advisors in completing any of these gifts or other planned gifts which may be of interest. Please call us at 615.369.2382