IRA ACCOUNTS (QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION)

Donating directly from an IRA—often called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a simple and tax-efficient way to support the mission and ministries of LifePoint Church.

• Individuals age 70½ or older may transfer funds directly from their IRA to a qualified charity without including the distribution in taxable income.
• This can provide meaningful tax advantages, especially for those who are required to take annual Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), since a QCD can satisfy all or part of that requirement while reducing taxable income.
• Because the gift goes directly from the IRA sponsor (such as T Rowe Price, Schwab, Merrill Lynch, etc.) to the church, it is not counted as income and therefore does not increase adjusted gross income, which may help reduce the impact on Social Security taxation and Medicare premiums for some donors.
• IRA charitable gifts are a powerful way to make a lasting difference, allowing donors to support the ministries and outreach programs in a way that is both impactful and financially efficient.

If you are considering this option, we encourage you to consult your financial advisor and contact our Finance office for guidance on initiating a transfer.

DONOR-ADVISED FUND (DAF)

A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a simple and flexible way to support the ministries of LifePoint Church.

• A donor establishes a charitable giving account through a sponsoring organization, makes tax-deductible contributions to that account, and then recommends grants to qualified charities over time.
• Many donors choose to contribute cash, appreciated stocks, mutual funds, or other assets to a donor-advised fund, allowing them to organize their charitable giving while supporting the causes that are most meaningful to them.
• Donor-advised funds can also be a helpful tool for those who wish to make charitable gifts during years when they have unusually high income or wish to simplify their long-term giving plans.

If you have a donor-advised fund, you can recommend a grant to our church at any time, helping to sustain our mission and ministries. If you are considering this option, we encourage you to consult your financial or tax advisor to determine whether a donor-advised fund fits your charitable and financial goals. 

STOCKS AND SECURITIES

Donating stocks and bonds is a meaningful way to support the mission of LifePoint church while potentially maximizing the impact of your gift.

• When you contribute appreciated securities held for more than one year, you may be eligible to receive a charitable tax deduction for the full fair market value of the asset, while also avoiding capital gains tax on the appreciation.
• This can make gifts of securities a particularly efficient way to give compared to selling the assets and donating the after-tax proceeds.
• Future estate tax savings may also be possible because of your gift.
• Gifts of stocks and bonds (including appreciated savings bonds) also provide lasting support for the ministries and outreach programs of the church.
• By transferring securities directly, donors can often make a larger gift at a lower personal cost, increasing the overall benefit to both the donor and the church.

If you are considering this type of gift, contact our Finance office to work with you or your financial advisor to ensure a smooth and secure transfer process.

WILLS AND BEQUESTS

Including LifePoint Church in your will is a meaningful way to extend your faith and support beyond your lifetime.

• A planned gift through your estate allows you to make a lasting impact on the ministries and outreach of the church while still maintaining full control of your assets during your lifetime.
• Many donors choose to name their church as a beneficiary of a specific dollar amount, a percentage of their estate, or what remains after other gifts are made.
• These legacy gifts help ensure that the church’s mission continues for future generations.
• Donors may also choose to direct their bequest to a specific ministry of the church. We encourage you to consult with LifePoint as part of your planning process so that we can help identify ministries where your gift may have the greatest impact and ensure your intentions are clearly documented.

If you wish to include the church in your will, you may share the following sample language with your attorney as a starting point: “I give, devise, and bequeath to LifePoint Church, located at 1701 Emory Road, Reisterstown, Maryland 21136, the sum of $_____ (or _____% of my estate, or the remainder of my estate), to be used for its general purposes or for such ministry as may be designated in consultation with the church.”

We encourage you to work with your legal or financial advisor to tailor your gift to your personal wishes, and we would be honored to assist you in this process.

LIFE INSURANCE

A life insurance policy can be a simple and powerful way to make a lasting gift to the church’s mission and ministries.

• Donors may choose to name the church as a full or partial beneficiary of an existing policy, or transfer ownership of a policy directly to the church.
• These options allow you to make a significant future impact on the life of the church while preserving your current financial resources.
• Depending on how the gift is structured, donors may also receive potential tax benefits, such as charitable income tax deductions for certain transfers and the ability for future premium payments made on behalf of the church to be treated as charitable contributions.

We encourage you to consult with your insurance provider, financial advisor, and the church office to ensure your intentions are properly documented and your gift is structured in a way that best reflects your goals.