Thank you for considering a gift to the Sisters of the Incarnate Word in support of us and our ministries. When you make a gift to the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, you are supporting our mission and assisting us in making a difference in the lives of others. But we'd also like to make sure that you benefit from making a gift to us. You may be surprised to learn that some of the best gift plans also improve the donor's financial and tax situation.

Your Giving Options
The most common donations are outright gifts, such as cash or a check, which we receive right away. However, many times, people want to hold on to their money and other assets for now, just to be sure they can meet their family's future financial needs. These people are usually delighted to learn that there are excellent alternatives that allow them to still make a gift. One of these options could be right for you.

These gift giving options are known as planned gifts. The can be revocable ~ a charitable bequest in your will, for example ~ so that you can change your mind at any time. Or, they can be irrevocable ~ so that you benefit by receiving an immediate income tax deduction.

The attraction of irrevocable planned gifts is that they are deferred. You part with an asset today, but the actual giving of the asset is put off for a while ~ often until after your lifetime (and that of a surviving beneficiary, if you wish). During that time in between, you receive benefits from the gift.

Below are examples which summarize the benefits of some of the main types of charitable or planned gifts.

• A LIVING TRUST is a trust you establish to take effect during your lifetime
  
  
• A BEQUEST IN WILL is a gift you make by naming a charitable organization in your will
  
  
• A LIFE INSURANCE GIFT is a gift of an old or new policy with a charitable organization named as the beneficiary or owner.
  
  
• A RETIREMENT PLANNED GIFT is a gift made by naming a charitable organization as remainder beneficiary after your death.
  
  
• A REAL ESTATE GIFT is a donation of property, either in full or with a retained life estate.
  
  
• A CHARITABLE REMAINDER ANNUITY TRUST is a trust that pays a set income to you or those you name before a charitable organization receives the remainder.
  
  
• A Charitable Remainder Unitrust is a trust that pays variable income to you or those you name before the charitable organization receives the remainder.
  
  
• A Charitable Gift Annuity is a contract in which a charitable organization agrees to pay you back a percentage of your gift annuity for your lifetime. (There is generally a minimum amount required for an annuity.)
  
  
• A Charitable Lead Trust is a trust that pays an income to a charitable organization for a period of years before you or heirs receive the remainder.
  
  
• Stocks, Bonds or Mutual Funds, a gift of appreciated stocks, bonds or mutual funds, provides the best tax advantages. Securities owned by you for more than twelve months are deductible at their full fail-market value, regardless of what you paid for them. Gifts of appreciated stocks, bonds, mutual funds or real property that have been held for longer than twelve months are not subject to the capital gains tax.
  
  

Together with your attorney and financial advisors, you can examine your personal situation and choose the type of planned gift that helps you find ways to support our mission, while at the same time provides the best tax benefit and ensures your family's financial security.