What is gift planning?
Gift planning encompasses a variety of ways that gifts can be made to the church from accumulated resources. It usually involves financial or estate planning; however, it is not reserved for the wealthy.

Gift planning establishes a way for a donor to provide for family members while remembering the church as well. It often enables the donor to provide more for his or her heirs and to make a larger gift than thought possible. It often reduces taxes. Planned gifts can be designated for an organization's general fund or for its endowment. Planned gifts are either outright gifts (i.e., gifts of appreciated securities, real property, personal property, etc.) or deferred gifts (i.e., charitable gift annuities orcharitable trusts).

In general, planned gifts are made through:

• A Bequest in a Will


• A Life Income Gift…such as a pooled income fund, a charitable gift annuity, or a charitable remainder trust


• Gifts of Special Assets (real estate, closely held stock, life insurance)

A Bequest in a Will*
Perhaps the easiest and the most common way of making a planned gift is through your will. Yet some 50 percent to 70 percent of all Church members die without one. If you die without a will, the state will divide your assets among your spouse and children (regardless of their age); appoint an administrator that may cost the estate large fees; and appoint guardians, who may or may not have been your choice, for your minor children. By making a will, you appoint your own administrator; you name the guardian of your minor children; you control applicable taxes; you can create a family or charitable trust; and you can share your resources with your family, church, or other institutions as you choose. A bequest in a will can take the form of a set amount of money, a percentage of an estate, a specific asset, a trust, or the naming of a church related organization as a contingent beneficiary. Sample language for including the church in your will might be: “I give, devise, and bequeath (state amount, asset, or percentage of the estate) to (name and address of the church) to be used (describe use) or as the church's governing board or Vestry deems appropriate.”

For hundreds of years through various editions of the Book of Common Prayer, Episcopalians have been encouraged to make a will, to provide for their families, and to make bequests for religious and charitable purposes if possible. In the church we suggest you plan your funeral even before writing your will. This way you can make a statement about your life and can tailor your will to reflect your values. Preparing a will is a loving and responsible act for the sake of your family. Dying intestate is difficult for the family at best. Paul's letter to Timothy reminds us of the simple truth that “We brought nothing into this world…we can take nothing out of it.” (I Timothy 6:7)

*Source: Episcopal Church Foundation