For many people, supporting the church through a planned gift is a thoughtful and faith-filled way to express gratitude for God’s blessings. It is also a way to care for the future of Lansing United Methodist Church, helping its ministry continue to serve, welcome, and nurture others for generations to come.
You can name your church as a full or partial beneficiary of your pension, 401(k), 403(b), IRA, or other retirement plan. Your plan administrator can provide the beneficiary designation forms needed to make this kind of legacy gift.
If you are age 70½ or older, you may be able to transfer funds directly from your IRA to the church through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). In some situations, this can help reduce taxable income. QCDs can be especially helpful, allowing you to fulfill the RMD requirement while also supporting the ministries of the church with the whole amount of the RMD, without having your gift diminished by taxes.
Your financial or legal advisor can help you decide whether a QCD is a good fit for your circumstances.
You can name Lansing United as a full or partial beneficiary of your life insurance policy as another simple way to leave a legacy of support for the church.
By including a bequest in your will, you can help sustain and strengthen Lansing United for generations to come. Your bequest may be a specific amount or a percentage of your estate.
The proceeds may be designated for a specific purpose or left unrestricted so they can be used where they are most needed, as determined by the Board of Trustees.
Any gift may also be directed to Lansing United Methodist Church’s permanent endowment, allowing it to be invested so that future earnings can support ministries and special projects in perpetuity.
Please contact us if you would like to talk about ways to designate your gift or contribute to the church’s permanent endowment fund.
The following examples are offered as a starting point for conversation with your attorney or advisor and may be adapted to reflect your intentions.
Unrestricted gift
"I bequeath the sum of $_____ to Lansing United Methodist Church to be used or disposed of as its Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate."
Percentage of estate
"I devise and bequeath (all) or (____%) of the remainder of my estate to Lansing United Methodist Church to be used or disposed of as its Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate."
Trusts are often used in estate planning to help guide how assets are distributed and, in some cases, to simplify the transfer process. One common example is a living trust, which allows you to retrain control over assets placed in the trust during your lifetime. A gift to Lansing United Methodist Church may be included in a living trust by naming the church as a beneficiary. You may amend or revoke the trust at any time during your lifetime. After your death, all the assets in the trust belong solely to the beneficiaries of the trust.
Your financial or legal advisor can also help you explore other options, such as a Charitable Lead Trust or a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT). A Charitable Lead Trust provides income to a charity for a set period, after which the remaining assets pass to family members or other beneficiaries. A Charitable Remainder Trust can provide income to you or another beneficiary for a period of time, with the remaining assets then going to support the church or another charitable purpose.
Planned giving is best approached with care, prayer, and good counsel. Because legal and tax considerations are different for each person and family, it is wise to discuss your plans with your financial or legal advisors as well as your family members. If you decide to include Lansing United in your plans, the church office can provide the legal name and tax identification number you may need. We would be honored to answer questions and help you consider how your gift might bless the life and ministry of the church in the years ahead.