Giving at St. John’s

You can now manage your giving online. With our online giving platform, you can set up automatic recurring contributions and view your complete giving history, all from the convenience of your computer or mobile device.

Click on the “ONLINE GIVING CLICK HERE” button below, and follow the onscreen instructions to create your online profile and schedule your recurring contributions. It’s that simple! Whether you’re on a desktop or a mobile device, our online giving platform works seamlessly on all platforms. Join us in supporting the church and experience the convenience of giving online today.

How You Can Make a Tax Deductible Gift to Support St John’s Lutheran Church.

• OUTRIGHT GIFTS
• CASH and ANNUAL FUND GIFTS
  Cash is the most common type of charitable gift and is also the easiest to make. Checks should be made payable to “ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH” with a note in the memo section specifying your intent to support the specific ministry or program. You can use your gift wherever the need is greatest by leaving the memo line blank. To give over the phone, please call 1-815-223-1144.
• GIFTS OF SECURITIES – STOCKS, BONDS and MUTUAL FUNDS
  Charitable gifts of appreciated stocks, bonds or mutual funds held for more than one year can provide special tax advantages. The person making the gift (the “donor”) can claim a charitable tax deduction for the full fair market value of the securities donated to the ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH and will never have to pay capital gains taxes on the appreciation. Securities held less than one year may also be donated but the deduction is limited to the lesser of cost basis or market value.
• GIFTS OF REAL ESTATE
  Gifts of appreciated homes, farms and other real property can receive the same tax treatment as gifts of securities – a full fair market value deduction and no tax on the capital gain.  If the debt-free property is donated to The ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, the gift is deductible at the property’s appraised value.  It is sometimes possible to donate a partial interest in property, such as a percentage of ownership or mineral rights.
• MEMORIAL OR TRIBUTE GIFTS
  Any gift may be designated in memory or honor of a friend, family member or other person.
• CORPORATE MATCHING GIFTS
  You may be able to multiply the value of your gift by participating in a corporate matching gift program.  Many companies match charitable gifts made by employees (or joint gifts with their spouses), retirees or board members.  Outright gifts and the deduction value of irrevocable deferred gifts may qualify for a match.  Some companies do not support faith-based non-profits.  You will need to ask your employer.

DEFERRED OR PLANNED GIFTS

Although outright gifts provide vital resources for the ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH today, deferred gifts help ensure the ministries of the church’s future. Giving through estate plans or life income gifts may be particularly suitable for individuals who would like to provide significant support for the ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH but need income from their assets during their lifetime.

• BEQUESTS BY WILL OR REVOCABLE “LIVING” TRUST
  The most common form of deferred or planned gift to support the ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH is a bequest contained in a person’s will or revocable (“living”) trust.  The following language is an example of how a bequest to benefit The ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH may be worded: I give, devise, and bequeath to the ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization located in Peru, IL, _____ percent of my residual estate to be used for _______________ (a specific ministry, program or unrestricted use).”
  
• LIFE INCOME GIFTS
  Donors may receive numerous tax and financial benefits by creating a “life income gift,” such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust. The donor makes an irrevocable contribution of assets to fund the trust or annuity, gets an immediate income tax deduction for part of the contribution’s value, and receives income for life or a term of between 1-and 20 years. When the trust or annuity term ends, the remaining assets can be directed to support ministries of the ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH.
• GIFTS OF LIFE INSURANCE
  A donor can name the ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH as a primary or contingent beneficiary of a life insurance policy. If the donor retains any control over the policy, no income tax deduction is allowed. However, if the ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH is named both the sole owner and the beneficiary of a paid up policy, the donor may receive an immediate charitable deduction for the lesser of the policy’s fair market value or the net premiums paid and additional premiums paid by the donor may also be tax deductible.
• GIFTS OF RETIREMENT PLANS
  Naming the ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH as a primary or contingent (after a spouse) beneficiary of a private pension fund (e.g. IRA, SEP, 401(k), 403(b)) can result in a “tax-wise” testamentary gift because these assets do not receive favorable tax treatment at their owner’s death. In some cases, it is best to divide one retirement account into two separate accounts–one for the spouse and one for the ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH. Your retirement account’s “plan administrator” (the company that manages the account) can help you designate the ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH as a beneficiary on the plan’s “Beneficiary Designation” form (please copy the ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH office).
• RETAINED LIFE ESTATE
  You may generate a current income tax deduction by giving a home or farm to the ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH while retaining the right to use the property during your lifetime. The property will also be removed from your taxable estate.

DEDUCTIBILITY

The ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH qualifies as a “public” charitable organization and meets the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Gifts to the ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH are deductible at the highest limits allowed for federal income or estate tax purposes.

*Income tax deductions – a person may deduct gifts of cash (or elect to deduct only the cost basis of an appreciated asset) up to 50% of their adjusted gross income (“AGI”) in a year. Gifts of appreciated real or personal property may be deducted up to 30% of a person’s AGI.  Excess deductions may be carried over for up to five (5) additional years.

**Estate tax deductions – testamentary gifts are deductible at 100% of the value of the assets donated to the ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH.

For additional assistance, please contact your personal financial advisor, estate planner or attorney.