Legacy Ministry Bethlehem First United Methodist Church

What is an Endowment? An Endowment Fund is a permanent fund or source of income for our church that contributes to the fulfillment of our church vision. The funds that are contributed to the Endowment Fund are invested in perpetuity. The proceeds of the fund are used to fund ministry for the church. Why have an Endowment Fund? An Endowment Fund Says That Our Church:  Believes in its future  Wishes to be guided in stewardship by the belief that all we have is from God  Wants to build a sense of permanence  Desires as a church family to be good stewards even as we expect each member to be a good steward  Wishes to go the extra mile in providing new services and programs  Wants to create a legacy for future generations

Where may I give? Our members may designate their legacy gift to the following funds: ■General Endowment Fund ■ Music Ministry Endowment Fund ■ Building and Grounds Endowment Fund ■ Youth Endowment Fund ■ Named fund: This may be set up in memory or honor of someone and/or for a specific purpose with a minimum contribution of $20,000 Who Manages the Endowment? The Bethlehem First UMC Endowment is managed by the Georgia United Methodist Foundation and is overseen by the Endowment and Planned Giving Committee of the church. Legacy Fellowship The purpose of Legacy Fellowship is to recognize those who have made a planned gift or given to the Endowment. By allowing us to list your name, we hope that this will also be an inspiration for others to follow. Each year, we will have an gathering of the Legacy Fellowship to report on our endowment and to share how we have used the proceeds. In addition, we will host a Legacy Sunday which will include a listing of your name in the bulletin.

OPTIONAL SLIDE Bethlehem First United Methodist Church Legacy Fellowship ■ Joe and Mary Jones ■ Sam and Judy Smith ■ Alfred and Lisa Thompson ■ Tom and Patricia Young

Gifts Given Today Gifts Given After Passing How can you give to the Endowment Fund?  Cash  Stocks and Bonds  Real Estate  Life Insurance  Savings Bonds  Cash  Stocks and Bonds  Real Estate  Life Insurance Death Benefits  Savings Bonds  Bequests  Charitable Trusts and Annuities  Retirement Plan Assets

 Gift of Peace to Family  Income for Family  Principal for Family Estate Goals  Health Care  Charitable Legacy  Reduce Probate Costs  Reduce Estate Taxes Estate Distribution Family/Friends Church/Charity Government Only Three Places

Why am I visiting You?  Tell my story: How I gave and why this is important to me  Asking the Leadership of the Church to give first  Will be asking the rest of the congregation to commit after _________  Prayerfully request that you consider a Legacy Gift and complete the Confirmation Form and return it to the church by that date  Hope that Leadership Commitments will motive others in the congregation to follow

Language for Leaving a Gift in Your Will to the Permanent Endowment This is some language to help your attorney prepare your will. A carefully written will protects your estate and helps you fulfill your personal goals. 1. Bequest of a Final Tithe I give, devise and bequeath an amount calculated to be ten percent (10%) of my estate to Bethlehem First United Methodist Church of Bethlehem, GA, as a permanent endowment gift. For the purposes of this Item ___ of my will, the term “my estate” shall mean and include all property that I own at my death including property that passes outside my Will to a joint owner or designated beneficiary. 2. Bequest of cash "I give and bequeath the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to Bethlehem First United Methodist Church of Bethlehem, GA as a permanent endowment gift.” 3. Bequest of an asset “I give and bequeath one hundred (100) shares of stock of the Coca-Cola Company to Bethlehem First United Methodist Church of Bethlehem, GA as a permanent endowment gift.” 4. Bequest of a percent of the estate I give, devise and bequeath an amount calculated to be twenty percent (20%) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to Bethlehem First United Methodist Church of Bethlehem, GA as a permanent endowment gift. For the purposes of this Item ___ of my will, the term “my estate” shall mean and include [only the property in my probate estate that passes under my Will] OR [all property that I own at my death including property that passes outside my Will to a joint owner or designated beneficiary]”

Language for Leaving a Gift in Your Will to the Permanent Endowment 5. Contingent Bequest "If my brother John Doe survives me, I give, devise and bequeath an amount calculated to be twenty percent (20%) of the rest, remainder and residue of my estate, whether real or personal, and wherever located to John Doe. If John Doe does not survive me, then I give, devise and bequeath twenty percent (20%) of my residuary estate, whether real or personal property and wherever located to Bethlehem First United Methodist Church of Bethlehem, GA as a permanent endowment gift. For purposes of this Item __ of my will, the term “my estate” shall mean and include [only the property in my probate estate that passes under my Will] OR [all property that I own at my death including property that passes outside my Will to a joint owner or designated beneficiary.]” 6. Gift of an IRA Because income taxes must be paid on funds withdrawn from an IRA by an individual, using your IRA to make a gift to your church is very effective since your church does not have to pay the tax. You must use the official beneficiary designation form provided by the custodian of the IRA (bank, brokerage house, etc.), complete and sign the form, and deliver it to the custodian so that it is in their records. Typical language would be: “I designate the Bethlehem First United Methodist Church of Bethlehem, GA, as beneficiary of twenty percent (20%) of my account as a permanent endowment gift.” 7. Bequest to create permanent endowment fund at the GUMF to benefit church or ministry "I hereby give, devise, and bequeath [insert amount, percentage of the estate, or "the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate"] to the Georgia United Methodist Foundation, Inc., Peachtree Corners, Georgia ("Foundation"), its successors and assigns, for the purpose of creating a permanent endowment fund ("Fund"), from which distributions will be made for the benefit of Bethlehem First United Methodist Church of Bethlehem, GA. Such fund shall be known as [insert name of fund]. I understand that the Fund shall be administered by the Trustees of the Foundation. If you would like to set up a permanent endowment fund for your church at the Georgia United Methodist Foundation, please call toll free or go to for complete information and documentation.

YOU CAN MAKE NOW GIFTS YOU CAN MAKE NOW Your Goal Type of GiftHow to GiveBenefits Make a quick and simple gift. Appreciated Securities Transfer stock or mutual funds to your church. Donor avoids capital gains taxes and receives an income tax deduction; church sells shares tax-free. Avoid capital gains tax on the sale of a home or other real estate. Appreciated Real Estate Donate property to your church. Immediate income tax deduction and avoidance of capital gains tax. Make a gift that allows flexibility and your input on how funds will be distributed. Donor Advised Fund Create an agreement whereby the Foundation manages the assets; you and/or family members advise the Foundation regarding charitable disbursements. Immediate income tax deduction, flexibility and an opportunity to practice philanthropy on a regular basis. Make a significant gift with little cost to yourself. Life InsuranceDesignate your church as a beneficiary.Future gift to church. Give your personal residence or farm, but continue to live there. Retained Life Estate Designate the ownership of your home to your church but retain occupancy. Charitable income tax deduction and lifetime use of your home. Avoid taxation on retirement plan assets. Retirement PlanName your church as beneficiary of the remainder of the assets after your lifetime. Avoidance of heavily taxed gift to heirs.

GIFTS YOU CAN DEFER Your GoalType of GiftHow to GiveBenefits Defer a gift until after your lifetime. Bequest in Will Leave your legacy and remind loved ones of your faith by tithing part of your estate to the church. A bequest can be a specific amount or asset, or a percentage of your estate. A residual bequest assigns the amount left in the estate after all other distributions have been made. Your estate receives a tax deduction. The church receives your gift when the estate is settled. Make a deferred gift, maintain access to assets, avoid probate. Living TrustDonor places assets into a trust; retains control during lifetime. Foundation becomes trustee upon death of the donor, and makes distributions as directed by donor. Privacy, flexibility, control of trust for lifetime, possible estate tax savings.

LIFE INCOME ARRANGEMENTS Your GoalType of GiftHow to GiveBenefits Supplement income with fixed annual payments. Charitable Gift Annuity Enter into a contract with the Foundation. Foundation pays you fixed payments for life and distributes remainder to church and other charitable beneficiaries. Charitable income tax deductions, fixed annuity payments for life (portion tax-free), future gift to church. Supplement income with fixed annual payments. Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust Create a charitable trust that pays you a fixed income. Charitable income tax deduction, fixed income for life, future gift to church. Create a hedge against inflation over the long term. Charitable Remainder Unitrust Create a trust that pays you a percentage of the trust’s assets, valued annually Immediate income tax deduction, annual income for life that has potential to increase. Reduce gift and estate taxes on assets passing on to heirs Charitable Lead Trust Create a trust that pays a fixed or variable income to your church or ministry for a set period of time, then passes to heir Reduces size of taxable estate; keeps property in family, often with reduced gift taxes. The purpose of this publication is to provide general gift, estate and financial planning information. State laws govern wills, trusts and charitable gifts made in a contractual agreement. Advice from legal counsel should be sought when considering these types of gifts. Watch for tax revisions. Some types of gifts may not be available in all states. Check with your professional advisor.

 What are the advantages?  Make a gift to your church and receive increased income for the rest of your life  Receive current income tax deduction  Receive part of each payment tax free  Avoid some capital gains if funded using an appreciated asset  Avoid probate costs  1 or more lives  Call toll free for more information or

The Georgia United Methodist Foundation can help you The Georgia United Methodist Foundation works with church members to develop strategies for creating a legacy at their church. Our staff are trained to assist you in developing the most advantageous way to meet your philanthropic and personal goals. Working with both individuals and professional advisors, we can assist you with:  Creating a personal legacy plan—integrating your core values with your financial, philanthropic and estate planning objectives  Examining whether your legacy would be enhanced by creating additional secure income  Creating a plan to minimize tax consequences for your legacy plan—and lessen the impact on your family and estate  Selecting and timing the most appropriate vehicle for your legacy plan—to ensure your results are consistent with your goals Whatever your goals in supporting your church, the Georgia United Methodist Foundation can help you achieve your objectives in a manner that works best for you. We will help you discuss ways to provide for your loved ones and those ministries in your church which are most important to you. Call or us today to set up a time to talk about the priorities that will help you build your Legacy at your church. It’s free and confidential. Georgia United Methodist Foundation, toll free Or visit our website at

Thank you! Contact information: Visitor:___________________________ Phone:____________________ ________________ Committee Chair:___________________ Phone:____________________ _________________ Senior Pastor:______________________ Phone:____________________ _________________ Georgia United Methodist Foundation: Toll free: Change this to photos of kids in your church.