Planned Giving refers to structured gifts made either during a donor’s lifetime or as a legacy or charitable estate gift, effective upon the donor’s death. Peace Lutheran has a planned giving form that will help you communicate how and where you would like to direct your planned giving.   

A planned gift may be either designated as restricted (go to the Endowment fund, the general fund, or to another designated ministry of the church) or unrestricted (council would designate these gifts as laid out in our financial policy).

HOW DOES PLANNED GIVING DIFFER FROM “EVERYDAY” GIFTS TO PEACE LUTHERAN?
Typical gifts to Peace Lutheran are in the form of contributions to support current, ongoing operations and ministries on an annual basis. These contributions include traditional gifts (cash, check, electronic funds withdrawals, credit/debit card payments) as well as some non-traditional gifts (stock and IRA transfers, Thrivent Choice Dollars, or Kroger Community Rewards). These types of gifts are usually unrestricted in nature and are deposited into the Peace’s general/operating Fund account upon receipt. 

With certain exceptions, such as setting up of reserves for capital improvements or other future needs, funds deposited into Peace Lutheran’s general/operating account are typically used in the fiscal year in which they are received. 

By contrast, planned gifts are commonly restricted as to their ultimate use and purpose and often meet a future need.

• Sometimes, planned gifts are placed in escrow for future ministry or operating needs.

• Sometimes, planned gifts are designated to our Endowment Fund and are intended to remain invested with limited distributions of income and which are used to extend the ministry of this congregation apart from the general operation and ministry programs in the annual budget. In this way, most of the principal of a planned gift continues to grow over time, so that we can support ministries beyond our annual budget into perpetuity.

WHAT FORM CAN PLANNED GIFTS TAKE?
Although cash or cash equivalents are the most common types of planned gifts, there are many other forms these gifts can take: stocks, bonds and other securities; real estate; life insurance beneficiary designations; retirement account and pension survivor beneficiary designations; qualified charitable distributions from IRA accounts, and distributions under wills, estate plans, and trusts. Planned gifts can be made during one’s life or realized after the death of the donor.

All non-cash assets offered to Peace Lutheran as planned gifts will be reviewed by our Council and handled according to our gift policy. Upon request, the Pastors can refer potential donors to our ELCA Regional Gift Planner who can assist in charitable planned giving.