Do you long to support the Moravian Music Foundation, but think you don’t quite know how you can – at least as much as you’d like to?
Maybe you’ve been a once-a-year donor, by check or credit card. (And we thank you for that!) But I’d like you to consider some other ways you might give.
Let’s start with monthly giving. You can set up a monthly donation to MMF through a debit on your checking account, a regular credit-card charge, or through PayPal (we can help with this). This spreads out your gift over months and may make it easier for you to increase your total giving to MMF.
But let’s also remember that not every gift has to come from your income (what we would call our “operating budget”). There are many ways to give, some of which don’t decrease your current income; some may provide income during your lifetime; some will help you (and your heirs) avoid taxes. This is but a sample of the types of gifts you may consider:
- A gift from your estate, through a will or trust, is a direct method of giving that lets you maintain control of your assets through your lifetime and provide benefits to the Moravian Music Foundation after you are gone.
- You can designate the Moravian Music Foundation as the beneficiary for a retirement plan, life insurance policy, or other assets.
- You can set up a life income gift such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder unitrust (*see example below!).
- You can set up a donor-advised fund that can provide you with immediate tax benefits while making your charitable giving easier for years to come.
- You can give appreciated stock which you have owned for more than a year; with careful planning, you can reduce capital gains tax while supporting the Moravian Music Foundation.
- You can make a gift of retirement assets, such as an employee retirement plan, IRA, or tax-sheltered annuity; this can shield your heirs from taxes while supporting the Moravian Music Foundation.
The Moravian Ministries Foundation of America (MMFA) has knowledgeable staff and the tools to help you determine your best gift and to make it a reality. The Moravian Music Foundation is pleased to work with MMFA to help our donors choose the right mechanics of giving! Please contact our office or the MMFA to get started:
Moravian Music Foundation: 336-725-0651; erik@moravianmusic.org
Moravian Ministries Foundation of America: 336-725-2589; cspaugh@mmfa.info
*Jane is 80 years old and has a $1,000,000 IRA account with her daughter listed as sole beneficiary. Jane loves Moravian music and is concerned about the tax liability her daughter would have when Jane enters the more immediate presence of her Lord. Her IRA would have to be fully withdrawn in 10 years after Jane’s death and her daughter would owe income taxes on the entire amount. Jane’s daughter is only 42 years old and doesn’t need a huge amount of money or a tax liability within a 10-year span.
Jane instead creates a charitable remainder unitrust. She works with the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America and names her daughter as the beneficiary of the unitrust. When Jane enters the more immediate presence of her Lord, the charitable trust will be the beneficiary of her IRA. Her daughter will receive a 5% distribution based on the value of the charitable trust every year during her lifetime. When Jane’s daughter passes way, the Moravian Music Foundation will receive the full amount to preserve and create music for future generations.
This is a great way to protect and shield your family while helping the ministries you love.
* For illustration purposes only. For real scenarios concerning individual situations and gifts, please contact Chris Spaugh at cspaugh@mmfa.info or call 336-725-2589.
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