Frequently Asked Questions

By setting up a WELS Foundation charitable gift annuity, you are creating a lasting legacy and helping to do the Lord’s work. Giving is an act of worship, another way to offer your Lord a thankful response for his never-failing gifts.

WHAT IS A GIFT ANNUITY?

A charitable gift annuity is a contract between you and WELS Foundation, in which you make a gift of cash or securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds) in exchange for fixed payments for life. After the passing of the annuitant, the remainder of the gift will be used by your congregation, mission work of the church, schools, area Lutheran high schools, or other WELS affiliated ministries. Like the stones placed by the River Jordan, your gift is a means to share God’s grace with others well after you enter the Promised Land of Heaven.

WHAT ARE THE FEATURES?

• Flexible: You can begin annuity payments right away or sometime in the future when you will need additional income. While there is a minimum gift size of $10,000, there is no maximum limit. You can fund a gift annuity for yourself, a loved one, a friend, or even an employee.
• Secure: Your annuity payments are backed by the assets of WELS Foundation, Inc.
• Permanent: Your annuity payment is a fixed amount, dependable and unchangeable.
• Minimum ages: Immediate payment annuities are available to WELS members aged 60 and older; deferred payment annuities are available to members aged 45 and older.
• Irrevocable: Once established, a gift annuity cannot be changed or cancelled.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

• Joy: Arrange to benefit the area of the Lord’s work that is closest to your heart.
• Fixed payments for life: Your gift comes with the assurance of steady, lifelong payments.
• Tax savings: You receive an immediate income tax charitable deduction, and in most instances a portion of your gift annuity payment will be a tax-free return of original principal. If you transfer appreciated assets for a gift annuity, you defer tax on a portion of the capital gain, with the balance of the gain spread over your expected lifetime. If you defer annuity payments until a future date, you also delay reporting of the capital gain.
• Lasting legacy: After the passing of the annuitant(s), the balance will be used to continue the Lord’s work in your congregation, synod, or other WELS ministries.

For a personalized, no-obligation gift annuity illustration, please complete the Contact Us form.

By setting up a donor advised fund, you are creating a lasting legacy and helping to do the Lord’s work. Giving is an act of worship, another way to offer your Lord a thankful response for his never-failing gifts.

WHAT IS A DONOR ADVISED FUND?

A donor advised fund is a charitable giving vehicle wherein an individual, family, or corporation makes an irrevocable, tax-deductible contribution of cash, securities, or other property to WELS Foundation and at any time thereafter can recommend grant distributions to qualified WELS ministries. The fund can be established with current gifts, deferred gifts (such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts), and testamentary gifts (such as wills, revocable trusts, or beneficiary designation for life insurance policies or retirement accounts).

WHAT ARE THE FEATURES?

• Gift size:  The minimum initial gift is $10,000. Donors can add funds in $100 increments at any time.
• Individual: You may name your donor advised fund. You, or the persons you designate, may recommend distributions to organizations listed in the WELS Yearbook from your fund—anonymously if you so choose.
• Grant recommendations: The minimum amount that may be recommended is $250. Each fund must distribute at least five percent of its asset value annually.
• Lasting legacy: You may designate others to continue recommending distributions after your lifetime (usually for a period of 20 years) to support your home congregation or other favorite WELS ministries.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

• Joy: Arrange to benefit the areas of the Lord’s work that are closest to your heart, including WELS congregations, mission work, schools, agencies, and other ministries.
• Tax savings: You receive an income tax charitable deduction in the year of your gift to your donor advised fund, regardless of when grants are made. As with all gifts of long-term appreciated securities, none of the appreciation is subject to capital gains tax.
• Recommend gifts when ready: Contribute to your donor advised fund this year, and decide later which of the WELS ministries you want to support.
• Encourage family stewardship: Help your children and other loved ones experience the joy of giving by involving them in the decision making process for the grant recommendations.