As you may know, once you reach age 73, you are required to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from many IRA accounts. Choosing to give from these distributions—up to $100,000 per year—is a wonderful way to help advance the gospel through the ministry of First Free Church. By directing your RMD as a gift to First Free Church, you can exclude the amount given (up to $100,000) from your adjusted gross income, reducing your tax liability in the same ways described above.
Donating stock or mutual funds directly to First Free Church may allow you to receive a federal tax deduction for the full value of the asset, while also avoiding capital gains taxes on any unrealized gains.
These two versatile giving tools can help you achieve your charitable goals and may enable you to avoid capital gains taxes by transferring appreciated assets, such as stocks or mutual funds, into a CRT or DAF before making a gift. Once the assets are in the CRT or DAF, you can then direct a donation to First Free Church. Until the funds are given, they can remain invested, allowing you to continue benefiting from potential investment growth.
Some assets are especially easy to give to ministry and do not require a visit to your attorney to draft a will or trust. For example, you can name First Free Church as a beneficiary of your retirement plan (IRA or 401k), investment account, or life insurance policy. Many plan administrators and financial services companies provide online forms that make it simple to update your beneficiary designation.
A charitable bequest is one of the simplest and most flexible ways to make a lasting impact. It allows you to support the ministry of First Free Church while often providing meaningful tax advantages. A bequest is made through your will or trust, enabling you to clarify your wishes today without giving up assets you may need during your lifetime. You may choose to leave a specific dollar amount, gift particular property, or designate a percentage of your estate. If helpful, we can provide sample language for your attorney to use when drafting a bequest to First Free Church.
A charitable bequest is a wonderful way to sustain the ministry of First Free Church. Some key benefits include:
It costs you nothing today to establish a bequest.
A bequest is free from federal estate tax.
You may change your bequest at any time.
You can still provide for loved ones with specific gifts.
Your bequest allows you to leave a legacy of generosity and faith.
We give as an act of worship and as a response to the gift of grace that we’ve been given by Jesus.
We believe that everything we have comes from God, and our generous giving is a reflection of our generous God.
When we give, ministry happens, the gospel is shared, lives are changed, and God is glorified.
We recommend setting up a recurring gift through ChurchCenter – just tap Give Online to get started! ACH donations (linked to your bank account) have the lowest transaction fees and help more of your gift go to supporting the ministry at First Free.
Recurring gifts help our church wisely plan our expenditures and steward your gifts well. If you set up recurring giving, you’ll receive an email confirmation for each gift.
The Bible has lots to say about how we use money! Learn more here.
It’s easy to log on to your Church Center account and download your giving statement! If you prefer paper, email us at giving@efree.org and we’ll mail you a statement.
If you’re giving online and would like to give to a specific fund, you will have the option to select the fund from the drop-down menu. If you are giving by check, please put the specific fund on the memo line.
Any gifts we receive that do not have a fund selected go to our General Fund.
A donor-advised fund is a charitable giving vehicle created to manage charitable donations on behalf of organizations, families, or individuals. To learn more about setting up a donor-advised fund, check out the National Christian Foundation or The Signatry, or contact your personal financial advisor.
We gladly accept shares of stocks and mutual funds into our brokerage account. Donating securities instead of cash might provide you with potential tax benefits and a meaningful way to support our mission, while also optimizing your financial stewardship.
Reach out to your broker to find out exactly what their process is for the transfer. Here is the information you will need from us:
Charles Schwab & Co Inc, DTC #0164
FBO First Evangelical Free Church of St Louis County
Account # 3415-0821
Please complete this Securities Donation Notification form to let us know you are planning to transfer securities and how you would like them designated. Any shares received that do not have designation instructions will be credited to the general fund.
Securities donations are not recorded on your giving account in Church Center. They are recorded separately from cash donations, and you will be mailed an acknowledgment letter to retain for your records.
We’re here to help! Email us at giving@efree.org.
Since you excel in so many ways – in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us – I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
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