"Gift annuities are like potato chips ..."

Usually when Christian giving counselors work with donors, a lot of their time is spent letting people know how their money can work for themselves—and for the Lord.

This time, however, counselor Gerry Heckmann was working with a pro. “In Daniel’s* work-a-day world, he had been working for secular non-profit agencies, helping donors set up charitable gift annuities,” says Heckmann.

When it came for Daniel and Sarah to retire, they knew they wanted their money to also work in WELS’ ministry and started a CGA. As he set up the paperwork, Daniel was already thinking ahead to the possibility of doing another and said, “Charitable gift annuities are like potato chips, you can’t have just one.”

Here’s how it works. Daniel and Sarah made an irrevocable cash gift to the WELS Foundation. In exchange, they receive a fixed amount of income each year for the rest of their lives. When the annuity ends, the remainder of the gift will move to their designated ministry.

Even as this couple provides for themselves in retirement, Daniel and Sarah also experience the joy that comes from financially supporting the spread of the gospel. That’s even better than potato chips!

* Names have been changed to protect donor confidentiality.