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donate — non-cash gifts
Donate Goods and Services
In addition to monetary donations, we welcome in-kind professional
service donations as well as other goods and services.
There are several ways that you can support Growthtrac. If you
would like to discuss your gift or need more information please
contact us
Volunteer your Time and Talent
In addition to donations of cash or assets, God expects us to
be good stewards of our time. (Galations 6:9-10).
Growthtrac wants to offer the means where people can donate
their time by volunteering for one of our projects.
We have volunteer needs in these areas:
- Growthtrac Community (discussion forums) Moderators
- Chat Moderators
- Various web design roles
- Graphic Design
- Marketing and PR
- Fundraisers
Interested? For more information please contact
us
Introduction
Cash gifts are commonly seen as
the only way to financially assist your favorite ministry. During a period when
many stocks are experiencing high returns, stock giving may be an effective addition
or alternative to cash giving. If you own any appreciated property, like stocks,
mutual funds, bonds, or real estate, there are three major advantages to giving
the asset versus giving cash:
- Ability to make a potentially larger gift. For many of us, the desire
to give exceeds the amount of cash we have available to give. If you have
access to investments that can be transferred to fund a gift, without taking
from cash flow used to meet your budgetary needs, your giving is not limited
to cash available.
- Increase in cash flow. Cash flow often presents a challenge for many
individuals. Even an individual with substantial net worth may have difficulty
meeting current financial obligations. Highly appreciated property may not
produce substantial cash flow. Many times, stocks and bonds produce cash flow,
in the form of dividends, of only one to two percent of their net worth. A
gift of these types of properties may result in an immediate tax deduction,
which increases cash flow. A tax deduction can offset long-term cash flow
loss for a number of years.
- Avoidance of capital gains tax. If you sell appreciated property
and make a gift of the proceeds, you will be taxed on the appreciation. This
is called a capital gains tax. But that tax is avoided when you give appreciated
property directly to Growthtrac or to the 501(c)(3) charity of your choice.
And your charitable deduction will be for the full fair market value of the
property at the time of the transfer. For more information about non-cash
giving, contact (email) If you would like to discuss your gift or need more
information contact Estate Planing and longer term options for donating to
the Ministry For appreciated assets giving, estate planing, and other longer
term donation options.
Appreciated Assets —Would you like to support the ministry of Growthtrac
but thought it could only be done with cash? You can give almost any kind of non-cash
personal property and do it in a number of ways. Tax benefits are greatest if
the asset you give is worth more than you paid for it.
Read Estate —Another way to give to our ministry without giving cash
is by donating real estate. This is a tremendous way to avoid paying any tax on
the increase in the value of the property.
Life Insurance —Do you have a policy that is no longer needed for
its original purpose? This may be an ideal asset to transfer to Growthtrac. Your
wishes will be carried out promptly, and your gift will not be delayed by settlement
of your estate nor diminished by probate costs. In addition, you may receive valuable
benefits in the form of income tax deductions.
Memorial Gifts —A memorial gift is a meaningful way to express honor
and tribute to a loved one by giving a gift of lasting worth. You may give any
type of gift in memory of another person. Trusts, Wills, Annuities, and other
charitable giving plans can also be used to further your gift.
Deferred Gifts
Deferred gifts are gifts that you establish now for a future date. The actual
gift may be made after your lifetime or in a term of years. In some cases, you
can receive income and tax benefits during your life. For more information about
the most common types of deferred gifts, select from the choices below:
Retirement Assets —Perhaps you have found that after
setting aside assets for when your income declines at retirement, God has
blessed you with more funds than you will use (reduced expenses? greater income
than anticipated?) The result is an excess of assets that are available for
distribution at death. Even at death, however, these assets are subject to
income tax unless they are distributed to charity.
In cases of larger estates (subject to estate tax), the combined income and
estate tax may exceed 75%. Some may find that rather than losing the benefits
of the majority of their retirement assets, these make an ideal gift to support
Growthtrac's 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry. By making Growthtrac the beneficiary
of all or a portion of your retirement assets, you can be assured that there
will be ZERO taxes paid on these assets.
Wills —Only about 4 out of 10 Americans have planned for their
family and heirs by executing a will. A will directs how a person wants his
or her property distributed at death. It is also used for other purposes,
such as naming a guardian for minor children, tax and estate planning, and
providing for charitable causes. When a person dies, the will is filed with
the court to be probated. Probate is simply the procedure for passing property
to the rightful heirs, under court supervision. The probate court relies on
a person's will to determine who are the rightful heirs.
If someone dies without a will, the court does not have guidelines to determine
the rightful heirs. So your state, in effect, "creates" a will for those who
do not do their own planning.
A will ensures that what you desire to give to your loved ones and to Christian
causes will be given. We would hope that you would consider Growthtrac as
a ministry that you would like to support from your estate.
You can name the Growthtrac as a beneficiary, giving you many choices:
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Give us a bequest
of a fixed dollar amount. o Give us a percentage of the estate. This
allows you to keep the division of the estate residue in desired proportions,
regardless of its size |
|
Make us a contingent
gift. That is, the funds would go to a certain individual if that person
survives you. If not, they would be paid to us. o Create a trust to
pay you an income for life, with the remaining principal to be given
to us thereafter. |
|
Give us a gift
without restrictions. This allows us to apply the funds to our most
pressing needs and is the best way to give to us to help us achieve
our mission. |
Your attorney should, of course, be involved in planning your will. If your
plans include a deferred gift or bequest to us, we would also like to be included
in the discussion and recognize your generous commitment during your lifetime.
Revocable Living Trusts —A Revocable Living Trust does the work
of a will and more. It not only provides for the distribution of your resources
at the time of death, but allows you to prepare for your living needs (e.g.,
you become incapacitated and unable to manage them, or you prefer not to).
Assets in a Revocable Living through probate, saving both time and money.
Charitable Remainder Trusts —The Charitable Remainder Trust is
a way for you to receive a lifetime income from assets that you ultimately
want to go to the Lord's work. It is an excellent way to convert appreciated
assets and receive income without capital gains tax, all the while ultimately
supporting Growthtrac and receiving a current tax deduction.
Wills and Trusts
Deferred Giving
Deferred gifts are gifts that you establish now for a future
date. The actual gift may be made after your lifetime or in
a term of years. In some cases, you can receive income and tax
benefits during your life. For more information about the most
common types of deferred gifts, select from the choices below:
Retirement Assets — Perhaps you have found that
after setting aside assets for when your income declines at
retirement, God has blessed you with more funds than you will
use (reduced expenses? greater income than anticipated?).
The result is an excess of assets that are available for distribution
at death. Even at death, however, these assets are subject
to income tax unless they are distributed to charity.
In cases of larger estates (subject to estate tax), the combined
income and estate tax may exceed 75%. Some may find that rather
than losing the benefits of the majority of their retirement
assets, these make an ideal gift to support Growthtrac Ministries
501(c)(3) non-profit ministry. By making Growthtrac Ministries
the beneficiary of all or a portion of your retirement assets,
you can be assured that there will be ZERO taxes paid on these
assets that are given to the Lord’s work.
Wills — Only about 4 out of 10 Americans have
planned for their family and heirs by executing a will. A
will directs how a person wants his or her property distributed
at death. It is also used for other purposes, such as naming
a guardian for minor children, tax and estate planning, and
providing for charitable causes. When a person dies, the will
is filed with the court to be probated.
Probate is simply the procedure for passing property to the
rightful heirs, under court supervision. The probate court
relies on a person's will to determine who are the rightful
heirs.
You Have Numerous Options: The Choice Is Yours.
You can name Growthtrac Ministries as a beneficiary, giving
you many choices:
- Give us a bequest of a fixed dollar amount.
- Give us a percentage of the estate. This allows you to
keep the division of the estate residue in desired proportions,
regardless of its size.
- Make us a contingent gift. That is, the funds would go
to a certain individual if that person survives you. If
not, they would be paid to us.
- Create a trust to pay you an income for life, with the
remaining principal to be given to us thereafter.
- Give us a gift without restrictions. This allows us to
apply the funds to our most pressing needs and is the best
way to give to us to help us achieve our mission
Your attorney should, of course, be involved in planning
your will. If your plans include a deferred gift or bequest
to us, we would also like to be included in the discussion
and recognize your generous commitment during your lifetime.
Please contact us.
.
How To Leave A Lasting Legacy
In a Will — The following is the correct language
to use if it is your intent that your bequest benefit Growthtrac
Ministries in your will.
"I give, devise, and bequeath to Growthtrac Ministries
with its web site at growthtrac.com the sum of __________
dollars." (Or designate the percentage of the estate
or otherwise describe the gift.)
If you include us in your will — please send us a copy
of it or the portion which mentions us.
Revocable Trusts — A Revocable Living Trust does
the work of a will and more. It not only provides for the
distribution of your resources at the time of death, but allows
you to prepare for your living needs (e.g., you become incapacitated
and unable to manage them, or you prefer not to). Assets in
a Revocable Living through probate, saving both time and money.
Charitable Remander Trusts —The Charitable Remainder
Trust is a way for you to receive a lifetime income from assets
that you ultimately want to go to the Lord's work. It is an
excellent way to convert appreciated assets and receive income
without capital gains tax, all the while ultimately supporting
Growthtrac Ministries and receiving a current tax deduction.
Life Insurance
Today it is not uncommon for people to have more than one
life insurance policy. Multiple policies are purchased for
a number of reasons, such as to provide financial security
for family members, to pay for estate taxes and other expenses
associated with the settlement of an estate, or as a savings
plan.
Life insurance is a versatile financial planning tool; it
can also be a convenient way to give to your favorite charities.
Benefits of gifting life insurance to charity
|
A
gift of life insurance is economical and tax deductible
in most cases. |
|
A
gift of life insurance is usually easy to make. |
|
A
gift of life insurance is flexible, thus it can meet a
variety of charitable giving goals. |
|
A
gift of life insurance is confidential; life insurance
is not a matter of public record. |
|
A
gift of life insurance is immediate. Proceeds are paid
to the beneficiary in cash quickly after death and are
usually not touched by the probate process. |
Gifts of Existing Life Insurance Policies
Perhaps you are interested in gifting life insurance to charity.
You may first wish to review the policies you own and ask
yourself these questions:
|
Do
you have a policy on a child who has now achieved financial
independence?. |
|
Have
you paid off your home's mortgage and no longer need to
maintain a mortgage life insurance policy? |
|
Do
you hold a policy on a business that no longer exists? |
|
Did
you purchase a policy with a beneficiary family member
who has predeceased you? |
|
Do
you own a policy that your parents bought for you as a
child? |
|
.Do
you have a policy to provide you with retirement income
that is no longer needed? |
If you have excess life insurance, you may consider including
it in your charitable giving plans.
Ways to Support Growthtrac Ministries through Life Insurance
|
Simply
name Growthtrac Ministries as beneficiary (primary, secondary,
or final) of your existing policy. |
|
Purchase
a new policy naming Growthtrac Ministries as owner. |
|
Donate
a paid-up policy by changing the owner to Growthtrac Ministries. |
|
Give
a policy on which you are continuing to pay premiums by
naming Growthtrac Ministries as owner or irrevocable beneficiary. |
|
If
you are uninsurable, it is possible in some cases to purchase
a policy on the life of another person and name Growthtrac
Ministries as owner or irrevocable beneficiary. |
|
Assign
life insurance policy dividends to Growthtrac Ministries
to make a convenient tax deductible gift. |
Real Estate
If you own property and wish to make a charitable gift to
ministry, you may find giving real estate to be a wise way
to accomplish your goal.
Someone who donates real estate that has been held for more
than one year is generally entitled to an income tax deduction
equal to the full fair market value of the contributed property.
Also, the donor can avoid the capital gains tax on the appreciated
portion of the property that would have been taxable if the
property were sold. Saving future potential estate taxes and
probate costs associated with the property are other possible
benefits. Not to mention, giving real estate is often an effective
way to make a substantial gift to the Kingdom without dramatically
impacting your current cash flow! Whether you are thinking
about making a gift of real estate as part of your estate
plan or during your lifetime, we welcome the opportunity to
talk with you about ways to structure the gift that will enable
you to faithfully steward this important and valuable resource
entrusted to you by God.
Matching Donations
Did you know your employer
may actually match the dollars you give to Growthtrac Ministries
dollar per dollar? Many businesses — from corporate America
to regional upstarts — have matching gift programs to
encourage employees to donate money to charities.
Is yours one of them?
As a 501(c)(3) organization, Growthtrac Ministries is eligible
for many matching gift programs. Follow these simple steps
to participate:
- Check with your Human Resources department to see if
your company has a matching gift program.
- Click here to
provide your company with a copy of our tax id number
and IRS determination letter.
Fill out an application and send it with your donation
to:
Growthtrac Ministries
2413 W. Algonquin Road #213
Algonquin, Illinois 60102-9402
• If you would like to discuss your gift or need more information
please contact us
• For details on Cash Gifts click
here
Disclaimer: The information contained on this page is not
intended as a substitute for wise tax counsel. We strongly recommend
you consult with a professional tax advisor before making a
gift.
Growthtrac
Ministries is a 501(c) (3) organization and all gifts
are tax deductible as allowed by law.
We take very seriously the trust you place in Growthtrac
when you send a gift. We stand accountable before you
and God to honor that trust. It is not our intention that
the urgency of any communication from Growthtrac cause
feelings of pressure or obligation for financial support.
You are invited to give only as you feel led to do so.
Growthtrac is supported by voluntary donations and grants.
The bulk of Growthtrac's contributions are received from
individuals. Donations to Growthtrac are tax deductible.
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