First Community Foundation welcomes your family’s involvement in a planned gift that will benefit the ministry of First Community Church far into the future. Foundation staff can assist you along with your personal financial advisor and attorney. We will work with you to determine the best type of gift that meets your family’s interests and goals.

Give to an Existing Fund

First, you may want to consider giving to an existing First Community Foundation fund. There are dozens of these, many of which support specific missions or programs at First Community (Akita, Missions, Heart to Heart, Worship and Arts, Education, Library, Facilities, etc.). Others are unrestricted and help fund maintenance or other emergency needs of the church. You’re welcome to review a list of the areas impacted with these existing funds and consider contributing to one or more.

Planned Giving Options

If you are considering larger, long-term gifts that involve all or parts of your estate, we are available to consult with your family and financial advisors on other legacy-type giving options such as:

• Retirement Plan Assets: Retirement plan or pension assets may be subject to taxation that may minimize benefits to heirs. By naming a charity as a beneficiary of a portion of your retirement savings plan, no income tax is due on retirement plan savings and your estate receives a tax deduction for the value of the gift. Retirees age 70½ and older can donate up to $100,000 tax free from their IRA each year.

• Bequest through your Will: Good estate planning begins with a will. It represents written instructions, prepared in accordance with legal rules, directing how you want your assets distributed at death. A charitable organization may be named as beneficiary, or you may decide to make a bequest through a dollar amount, specific property, or a percentage of your estate. Your attorney will need our legal designation language.

• Gifts of Stock or Securities: Stock that has increased or appreciated in value over more than a year can be a popular method for charitable giving. You might be able to avoid capital gains taxes and be eligible for a tax deduction for the full market value of the asset. Your broker will need our stock transfer instructions.

• Life Insurance: These gifts can be made either by designating a charity as primary beneficiary or by irrevocable assignment of policy ownership to the charity.

• Real Estate: Using real estate, such as a house or commercial property, to fund a gift allows the donor to preserve cash assets, receive a tax deduction and income advantages, and make a larger charitable gift than anticipated.

• Charitable Trusts: There are many kinds of trusts. Some are income-producing for the donor until death. Others can help lower estate or gift taxes and upon termination, the assets revert to a beneficiary. Trusts require consultation with one’s financial advisor.

• Donor-Advised Fund: This gift permits a donor to suggest a First Community ministry or program to receive distributions from the fund. The donor also may take a tax deduction the year the gift is made.

• Obituary Inclusion: Discuss this with your family. When the time comes to write an obituary, consider requesting a donation to First Community Foundation. It offers friends and family a way to show their feelings and strengthens the missions of our church.

We greatly appreciate your considering a gift to First Community Foundation.