In order to commit to their congregations and community, the needs of our Arkansas Methodist churches are persistent and ever-evolving. Your gift now can help in areas of your local church or ministry that will truly benefit from your generosity.
Gifts of Cash
A donation of cash is a simple and easy way for you to make a gift.
Benefits of Gifts of Cash
- You can make an immediate impact on our mission
- You can take a charitable income tax deduction
How to make a Gift of Cash
- Online gifts of cash - Just click here and complete our online donation form. Your gift will be processed quickly and safely using our secure server.
- Mailing a gift of cash - You can send us a check or money order. Please let us know if you want your gift used for a specific purpose by indicating that purpose either in the memo line or in a letter to us.
Did you know that you can mail a check on December 31st and, even if the check is not received and cashed by The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas until after the new year, the IRS will allow you to take a deduction in the year the check was mailed? Keep this in mind for year-end tax planning!
Gifts of Stocks and BondsGifts of Cash
Donating appreciated securities, including stocks or bonds, is an easy and tax-effective way for you to make a gift to The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas.
Benefits of Gifts of Stocks and Bonds
- Avoid paying capital gains tax on the sale of appreciated stock
- Receive a charitable income tax deduction
- Further our mission today
How to make a Gift of Stocks and Bonds
- By electronic transfer - Please contact us for instructions on how you can transfer stock or bonds from your brokerage or investment account to The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas.
- By certified mail - If you hold securities in certificate form, you will need to mail two envelopes separately to complete your gift. In the first envelope, place the unsigned stock certificate(s). In the other envelope, include a signed stock power for each certificate. You may obtain this power from your broker or bank. Please remember to use certified mail.
There are special rules for valuing a gift of stock. The value of a charitable gift of stock is determined by taking the mean between the high and low stock price on the date of the gift. Mutual fund shares are valued using the closing price for the fund on the date of the gift.
Gifts of Real Estate
Donating appreciated real estate, such as a home, vacation property, undeveloped land, farmland, ranch or commercial property can make a great gift to The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas.
Benefits of Gifts of Real Estate
- Avoid paying capital gains tax on the sale of the real estate
- Receive a charitable income tax deduction based on the value of the gift
- Leave a lasting legacy to The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas
How to make a Gift of Real Estate
Your real property may be given to The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas by executing or signing a deed transferring ownership. You may deed part or all of your real property to The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas. Your gift will generally be based on the property's fair market value, which must be established by an independent appraisal.
Gifts of Retirement Assets
Donating part or all of your unused retirement assets, such as your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), pension or other tax-deferred plans, is an excellent way to make a gift to The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas. If you are like most people, you probably will not use all of your retirement assets during your lifetime. You can make a gift of your unused retirement assets to help further our mission.
Benefits of Gifts of Retirement Assets
- Avoid potential estate tax on retirement assets
- Your heirs would avoid income tax on any retirement assets funded on a pre-tax basis
- Receive potential estate tax savings from an estate tax deduction
How to Make a Gift of Retirement Assets
To leave your retirement assets to Methodist Foundation for Arkansas, you will need to complete a beneficiary designation form provided by your retirement plan custodian. If you designate Methodist Foundation for Arkansas as beneficiary, we will benefit from the full value of your gift because your IRA assets will not be taxed at your death. Your estate will benefit from an estate tax charitable deduction for the gift.
Did you know that 60%-70% of your retirement assets may be taxed if you leave them to your heirs at your death? Another option is to leave your heirs assets that receive a step-up in basis, such as real estate and stock, and give the retirement assets to The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas. As a charity, we are not taxed upon receiving an IRA or other retirement plan assets.
Please let us know if you have already included The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas as a beneficiary of your retirement assets. We would like to thank you and recognize you for your gift.
Gifts of Insurance
A gift of your life insurance policy is an excellent way to make a gift to The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas. If you have a life insurance policy that has outlasted its original purpose, consider making a gift of your insurance policy to The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas. For example, you may have purchased a policy to provide for minor children and they are now financially independent adults.
Benefits of Gifts of Life Insurance
- Receive a charitable income tax deduction
- If The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas retains the policy to maturity, you can receive additional tax deductions by making annual gifts so that we can pay the premiums
- If The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas cashes in the policy, you will be able to see firsthand how your gift supports our charitable work
- If we retain the policy to maturity, or you name us as a beneficiary, once the policy matures, the proceeds of your policy will be paid to our organization so that we can use the proceeds to further our charitable work
How to make a Gift of Life Insurance
To make a gift of life insurance, please contact your life insurance provider, request a beneficiary designation form from the insurer, and include The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas as the beneficiary of your policy.
You can also designate The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas as a partial, full, or contingent beneficiary of your life insurance policy. You will continue to own and can make use of the policy during your lifetime. Your estate may benefit from an estate tax charitable deduction.
Your deduction for the gift of life insurance will depend on whether the policy has increased in value above the premiums and whether the policy is paid up or there are remaining payments to be made.
Please let us know if you have already named us as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy. We would like to thank you and recognize you for your gift.
If you have any questions about ways to give, please contact us. We would be happy to answer any questions that you have.