First Lutheran Church Foundation

"An Endowment for Christ"

Established in 1963, the purpose of the First Lutheran Church Foundation is to provide ongoing financial support to the mission of First Lutheran Church by managing and investing monies gifted to the First Lutheran Church Foundation by members and/or friends of First Lutheran Church.

Our will to grow is strong, and by using your estate to aid the ministry of Christ, you'll bless the lives of many others who will benefit from our services for years to come.

Planned Giving

The First Lutheran Church Foundation provides ways for people who care about our church to support it through provisions in their estate plans. Providing a gift to our Foundation through your estate plan (called planned giving) can give you a number of benefits, including:

• Income tax and estate tax deduction

• Life income

• Professional management of assets

• Current income or retirement resources are not reduced

Opportunities in Planning

Planned gifts may be made in many ways to First Lutheran Church Foundation. Often, there are financial benefits to you and your heirs, including:

• Leaving a specific amount or percentage in your will

• Making the Foundation a beneficiary of life insurance or retirement plans

• Various plans that provide you with a life income, including charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder annuity trusts, charitable remainder unitrusts, charitable lead trusts, and irrevocable trusts

• Remainder interests in residences or farms, in which you keep the right to stay on your property as long as you live

The Foundation holds gifts in perpetutity, with only the income from such gifts being used to support the needs of First Lutheran.

Common Questions

How is my contribution used specifically?

Regardless of the size of your bequest, nearly 100 percent of the earnings from your contribution will support the various areas of First Lutheran's ministry, including: Adult Discipleship, Youth Ministries, Senior Ministries, and Outreach Ministries. The needs of the church are constantly evolving, and while you may designate your donation for a specific cause, funds are most valuable when they can be used in the areas they are needed the most.

How does a bequest affect my taxes?

Your contribution may be entirely offset by tax savings. Talk with your tax adviser to learn the specifics.

What's the first step?

If you are interested in serving your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ even beyond life, please contact the First Lutheran Church offices.