Planning for Year-End Giving
GSB to Present Zoom Discussion on Tuesday, November 10th at 7PM
Did you know that 35% of all giving in the U.S. happens between Thanksgiving and New Year's?
Last year that was equal to nearly $150 billion dollars given in the last month of the year. Why not encourage your donors to think about a special end-of-year gift?
The first step is to establish how you will use end-of-year gifts. Do not say “we will balance the budget” or “add to our reserves.” This needs to be a specific enhancement to your ministry. Instead, suggest that “perhaps you have considered making a special year-end gift to Our Lutheran Church. Special year-end gifts will be used to refresh the nursery so that children will feel safe, loved and engaged in a welcoming space.”
A couple reminders for your givers include: 1.) “Beginning this year, donors who take the standard deduction can deduct up to $1,000 for single filers or up to $2,000 for married couples filing jointly for cash donations. The deduction applies strictly to direct cash contributions made to qualified public charities (501(c)(3) organizations, which includes Our Lutheran Church.", and 2.) If you are 70-1/2 or older, you may wish to consider a gift from your IRA. Although a qualified charitable distribution does not count as a charitable tax deduction, it does lower your tax bill if you have a required minimum distribution from your IRA.
On Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00 Rev. Pete Reuss of GSB Fundraising will provide simple and practical steps to inviting end of year generosity. Hint: you will get to think beyond your budget and consider God's call for your ministry.
CLICK HERE to enter the Zoom session on November 10th at 7PM.
