Free brochures encourage giving
In many churches, autumn is stewardship season. For church members it is often a time to complete gift commitments, consider next year’s pledge or special projects giving, and plan for the future.
If your church is in need of some new material, or you are a giver in need of information and assistance, the Missouri United Methodist Foundation can help.
Among the free resources provided by the Foundation are year-end giving brochures, custom printed with the church’s name on the front and back. The brochure includes a brief inspirational message and helpful information about tax-wise giving. Churches can order as many as needed online or by phone.
“The Foundation greatly expands the options available to church members for supporting their local church,” says David Atkins, executive director of the Foundation. “Gifts of non-cash assets can be particularly helpful for both the giver and the church.”
Instead of just writing a check some givers find that appreciated stock, life insurance, or even farm products can be a more costeffective way to give. As illustrated in the year-end giving brochure, a gift of appreciated stock is a win-win – a bigger deduction for the donor and a bigger gift for the church.
Any church or donor can use the Foundation as a pass-through for gifts of stock. “We do this at cost for churches, and it typically costs less than $10,” Atkins said. “We send a gift receipt letter to the donor and the proceeds check goes to the church with a full accounting of the transaction.” Easy instructions are available on the Foundation website.
Typically, about 50 churches request around 15,000 year-end giving brochures every year. “It’s a helpful reminder regarding such things as: A person must itemize deductions when filing a tax return in order to claim a charitable deduction; and, gifts must be completed by December 31 to be claimed on 2012 tax returns,” states Atkins. “Several churches have told us this brochure generated results.”
The Foundation has experience in working with all types of gifts. Atkins said people need to be aware that the Foundation is a resource for all United Methodists. It is a 501(c )3 charity - not a forprofit vendor. “We solely exist to serve the donors and the United Methodist churches in Missouri,” Atkins said.
To order free, customized brochures on year-end giving, go to www.mumf.org or call 800-332- 8238. Orders must be received by November 1.
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