| In RetrospectA
Boost To Regain The Balance
By Tom Wilkinson, Vice President, Planned Giving,
The Florida United Methodist Foundation, Inc.
 Does
this scenario sound familiar: giving to my church’s operating budget
is below budget this year, while expenses, especially insurance costs,
are up?
In informal conversations with pastors
and district superintendents, Foundation staff are hearing about this
type of budget squeeze around the conference. Some churches report
facing difficult choices, including program and staff cuts and
reductions in connectional giving.
Historically many churches, and most
charities for that matter, report a “spike” in giving in December
as people complete their annual pledges or, in some cases, make extra
gifts for tax or other purposes. Many churches count on this spike to
end the year with expenses and revenues in balance. But in uncertain
economic times many are concerned about ending the year “in the
black.”
Here are a few giving ideas to think
about as we approach Advent and Christmas.
Appreciated securities – Even though the stock market has
struggled through another losing year, many people still own stocks
that have increased in value since their purchase. By giving
securities directly to the church, donors can avoid capital gains
taxes that would otherwise be due at the sale of appreciated
securities. The Foundation is available to assist local churches in
receiving gifts of this kind.
Charitable Lead Trust – A donor can direct the income
generated by an asset to be paid to his or her church for a lifetime
or a term of years and receive an income tax deduction. At the
termination of the trust, the asset reverts to the donor’s family.
Pre-pay your 2003 pledge – Depending on individual tax
circumstances, some people may find it advantageous to prepay all or
part of next year’s pledge and take a charitable tax deduction this
year.
Complete your pledge for 2002 – There’s no better time than
now to complete your financial commitment to the mission and ministry
of your United Methodist Church.
Please check with your tax advisor or
financial consultant to see if any of these ideas may apply to you.
And for the long term, consider including your church in your will or
estate plan.
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