Charitable Giving
The tradition of charitable giving is as old as Lutheranism itself.  During the Reformation, Martin Luther called upon people to establish a “common chest” from which food, clothing and other necessities could be distributed to people in need.   

Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing
Lutheran World Missions, Inc. has its Endowment Fund through Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing (formerly InFaith Community Foundation).   You may give directly to the Lutheran World Missions, Inc. Endowment Fund at Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing - contact them at thriventcharitable@thrivent.com.  You may also contact LWMI directly at LutheranWorld@aol.com

​Give Now

• Make an immediate, outright charitable gift.     
• Cash   
• Publicly traded securities (stocks and mutual funds)  
• Real estate   -
• Closely held stock      

Benefits of Giving Now

• Receive an immediate charitable deduction.   
• Bypass capital gain tax on the appreciation of securities, real estate and/or closely held stock owned for more than one year.          

Give Later

• Make a deferred charitable gift, retaining flexibility and control of the gift asset while living   
• Bequest through a will or living trust  
• Beneficiary proceeds 
• Retirement assets such as IRAs, tax-sheltered annuities, and 401(k) and 403 (b) plans 
• Make a significant charitable gift upon your death.  
• Life insurance                  

Benefits of Giving Later

• Retain control over the assets while living.  
• Designate all or a portion of the proceeds. 
• Heirs avoid paying income and estate taxes on the assets.  
• Immediate charitable deductions for premium payments when a foundation or non-profit is named owner and beneficiary. or  
• Retain ownership and control when the foundation or non-profit is a partial, sole or contingent beneficiary.     

Give and Receive

• Make a gift and receive income payments for life.  The charitable benefit occurs upon your death.  
• Charitable gift annuity with gift of cash or publicly traded securities (stocks and mutual funds).  
• Charitable remainder unitrust or annuity trust with gift of cash.  Unitrusts offer additional gift options of real estate and closely held stock.    

Give and Receive Benefits

• Income payments for life, a portion of which is typically tax exempt.  - Begin receiving payments immediately or defer to a future date.  
• Immediate charitable deduction.  
• Bypass capital gain tax if you give securities or real estate on a set percentage and adjusted annually based on the value of your trust's assets.  Annuity trust payments are for a fixed amount.    
   

Always seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in Estates and Trusts when creating any Trust Fund. Donors are encouraged to consult with legal or financial professionals for advice relevant to their specific situation.