Planned Giving
Planned Giving is a process through which a donor makes a charitable gift of estate assets to a church or related nonprofit organization. Planned gifts may be made through a variety of charitable estate planning vehicles, including one’s will, a charitable trust, a donor advised fund or through a charitable gift annuity. Gifts may be in the form of cash, life insurance policies, appreciated securities, retirement plans, real estate or other appreciated properties or assets.
The Foundation facilitates planned giving to churches by assisting local churches in setting up a Permanent Endowment Fund and Committee. The Foundation provides ideas, resources and leadership in announcing and interpreting planned giving opportunities. The Foundation is legally authorized to serve as trustee in the administration of charitable trusts and other custodial accounts. The Foundation provides resources and leadership for wills or charitable estate planning seminars in the local church, and Foundation staff are available, without fee, to provide information, on a confidential basis, regarding opportunities whereby personal asset accumulations may be used to benefit the individual and the ministries and churches of the United Methodist Church.
The Foundation also provides The Mustard Seed Society , a thank-you and recognition program for use by local churches to say “thanks” to members who have made planned gifts. Donors receive a Mustard Seed Society lapel pin and a personalized certificate from the Foundation.
Download the Foundation's Planned Giving Guide for a variety of giving options for donors.