Donor-advised funds have continued to explode in popularity because of the convenience and tax advantages they provide.

If you are among the growing number of Grace supporters who give this way, now is a wonderful time to put those funds to good use.

Any gifts you’ve made into a donor-advised fund can be given without affecting your cash flow. They are ready and available to be deployed for ministry!

Your donor-advised fund is a smart and powerful giving solution for such a time as this.

Why Donor-Advised Funds Offer Even More

Beyond immediate convenience, donor-advised funds offer several unique benefits worth considering. For instance, you can contribute a lump sum to your DAF for an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend scheduled gifts to multiple ministries over months or years. This flexibility makes it easier to plan support for Grace or other charities according to your personal timetable and the needs of each ministry.

DAFs also allow you to donate various kinds of assets, including appreciated securities, real estate, or business interests, which can maximize your tax benefits and multiply your impact.

In addition, DAFs can play a meaningful part in your legacy and family’s charitable vision. You can name loved ones as successors, enabling them to continue advising on grants from your fund for years to come.

Learn More

Want to learn more about giving through a donor-advised fund?
Email Pete Tilden at ptilden@gracechristian.edu or call (616) 298-0771 today.

The post For Such a Time as This – Deploying Donor-Advised Funds for Ministry appeared first on Grace Christian University.

If you are at least 70 ½ years old, you can give up to $100,000 from your IRA (or $200,000 for couples) to Grace Christian University and receive significant tax benefits in return.

Why This Strategy Makes Such Good Sense

Any gifts from your IRA…

• allow you to give in a substantial way, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve while supporting the mission that matters most to you.
• reduce your taxable income (whether or not you itemize!), offering tax savings that many other charitable giving strategies simply can’t match. This benefit is especially valuable since the increased standard deduction means fewer people itemize their taxes today.
• can be used to fulfill any charitable pledges you’ve made, helping you honor your commitments while maximizing your tax advantages. Your IRA gift counts toward any pledge you’ve made to Grace Christian University.
• will fulfill all or part of your required minimum distributions, allowing you to satisfy IRS requirements without increasing your adjusted gross income. This can help you avoid higher Medicare premiums, reduce taxes on Social Security benefits, and maintain eligibility for various tax deductions and credits that phase out at higher income levels.

Additional Advantages to Consider

Beyond these core benefits, giving from your IRA offers even more advantages. Your gift transfers directly from your IRA custodian to Grace Christian University, making the process simple and straightforward. There’s no need to write a check or remember to make the gift, you simply instruct your IRA administrator to make the transfer on your behalf.

What’s more, this giving strategy allows you to support Grace Christian University with assets that might otherwise be heavily taxed. Unlike withdrawing funds yourself and then donating them, an IRA charitable rollover gift means the money never becomes taxable income to you at all.

A Time-Tested, Win-Win Solution

It’s a time-tested, win-win, tax-wise giving solution that has helped countless supporters like you make a greater impact while enjoying substantial tax benefits. Year after year, this strategy continues to be one of the most popular and effective ways to support the causes you care about most.

Is This Right for You?

Is giving from your IRA the right solution for you? To learn more about this and other smart and powerful giving options, call Pete Tilden, Chief Development Officer, at (616) 298-0771 or email him at ptilden@gracechristian.edu. Pete is here to answer your questions and help you discover the giving strategy that best fits your unique situation and goals.

The post The Obvious Solution: Giving from an IRA appeared first on Grace Christian University.

Your year-end gifts are critical in helping Grace Christian University continue graduating courageous ambassadors for Christ who make an eternal impact wherever they go. Every gift, whether it’s from your IRA (QCD, RMD, or straight gift), stock transfer, or charitable annuity, directly strengthens scholarships, supports affordable pathways through Vision 2025, and ensures that students are equipped to learn, grow, and serve.

Thank you for considering Grace in your year-end plans.

IRAs

If you would like to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA, you will need to submit a QCD request to your IRA custodian. The check or electronic transfer must be made payable to Grace Christian University and sent directly to our office.

According to many of our friends who work as financial advisors, PLEASE consider making these decisions in October or November if possible in order to avoid the year-end rush. It takes a certain amount of time for the financial houses to clear, report, file, and process your request. Please allow sufficient time for them to process before December 31.

Also, gifts directly from your IRA are usually the most tax advantageous to donors. These gifts allow you to make the maximum contribution while avoiding the taxes on appreciated gains. Your tax advisor or financial advisor can answer specific questions. 

Physical Stock Certificates

If you want to make a gift of stock, please contact our Development Office for the most effective ways to gift these securities. Typically we provide you with the name of our broker, their contact information, and our tax identification number. It is always helpful and greatly appreciated if you make a donation of stock and inform the Advancement Office/Pete Tilden of the stock name, number of shares, and price; this allows us to confirm with our broker when the gift is deposited. Gifts of stock are sometimes received by the broker with little to no information regarding who they are for, where they came from, and how they are to be used; the more information, the better.

Real Estate Gifts – November 28

Any real estate gift requiring a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment must be initiated with Grace Christian University by this date.

Proprietary Mutual Funds – December 2

All proprietary mutual fund transfers must be initiated by this date.

New Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) – December 5

Any new SMAs (Grace fund assets separately managed by an advisor) must be set up by this date.

Complex Gifts – December 12

We know that life can be very complicated. Grace has an ongoing relationship with the Barnabas Foundation to help with some of those complicated “situations.” The Barnabas Foundation is an organization founded on helping Christians maximize their giving while minimizing their tax footprint. We have a limited number of hours available to donors who may have a “complicated financial situation” and could use some advice. If you think your situation would benefit from some time with a trained lawyer who works for the Barnabas Foundation, please contact me, Pete Tilden, at 616.294.6668 or email me at ptilden@gracechristian.edu. 

 Grants to Charities – December 15

Grant requests to approved charities must be submitted by this date if you would like a check mailed by year-end. (Note: grants do not need to be issued by December 31 for tax purposes.) 

Cash Gifts – December 31

Physical checks must be postmarked by USPS no later than December 31. Cash and wire transfers must also be received in Grace’s account by this date.

Charitable Gift Annuities (CGAs) – December 31

Applications for CGAs, along with physical checks, must be dated and postmarked by USPS by December 31. A CGA illustration must be completed beforehand.

Publicly Traded Securities or E-Checks – December 31

All stock and mutual fund transfers should be initiated with the broker by this date. E-checks must also be initiated by this date. After December 15, consider a physical check or wire transfer to ensure timely receipt.

Note: USPS may experience delivery delays. If your gift is sent via USPS, your receipt will reflect the postmarked date. For FedEx or UPS, the receipt date will be when Grace receives the gift.

For giving forms and detailed instructions, contact:
Pete Tilden
Chief Development Officer
(616) 298-077

Thank you for making an eternal difference through your year-end gift to Grace Christian University.

The post 2025 Year-End Giving Deadlines appeared first on Grace Christian University.

Creating an Estate Plan: Finding Common Ground with Your Spouse

What a Wonderful Miracle Marriage Is, God brings two different people , with unique personalities, experiences, and opinions, and binds them together in a beautiful, holy union.

Of course, unity doesn’t come without its challenges, and this is especially true when creating a will or trust. If will planning is a hot-button conversation for you and your spouse, you’re in good company!

At Grace Christian University, we believe every part of life, even estate planning, is an opportunity to live out your faith, honor God, and model biblical stewardship for your loved ones. Here are five steps to help you move past your differences and toward the completion of an effective, God-honoring plan:

1. Call It Out

This is a difficult topic and often very emotional. Acknowledge this from the start; commit to listening and honoring one another in the same way Christ calls us to love and serve.

Resource: A great book for navigating difficult personalities and family history is Difficult Conversations. Read here ›

2. Put Away Your Boxing Gloves

Don’t treat this conversation as a battle that will be won or lost. Approach it prayerfully, with humility, and with the goal of finding peace and unity.

Tip: If you and your spouse are fundamentally opposed, it may be best to invite a neutral third party to help mediate. This could be a pastor, a trusted friend, or a professional arbitrator. Take time to check references and, if needed, interview before choosing someone. The right support can make all the difference, helping you reach agreement on your estate plan without lingering frustration or resentment.

3. Discuss Shared Values

Your faith has shaped your marriage and your family. Step back from the numbers and distribution charts. What do you truly want to accomplish through your plan? What testimony of faith and trust in God do you want to leave for those who come after you?

5 Questions Every Family Must Answer is a helpful article to guide conversations about shared values.

4. Identify Areas of Difference or Concern

Where do you see things differently? More importantly, why? Listen carefully with the goal of understanding, not convincing. In doing so, you reflect the patience and grace of Christ.

An encouraging article on the Ideal of Unity can help frame these conversations in a way that emphasizes peace and long-term agreement.

5. Explore Creative Solutions

Look for solutions that keep your shared values at the center. God calls us to be faithful stewards of what He provides, and planning well allows you to provide both for your loved ones and for Kingdom work.

Many couples enlist the help of a trusted ally to guide them through these conversations. Experienced planners have waded in these deep waters many times before. They can help you find solutions that align with your faith and your goals.

Through Grace Christian University’s partnership with Barnabas Foundation, you have direct access to trusted, Christ-centered planning support. At no cost to you, you can speak with someone who not only understands the tax-wise options available, but who also approaches planning with biblical stewardship in mind.

This is part of Grace’s commitment to serve you, not just in education, but in equipping families to live faithfully and impact eternity.

Ready to Learn More?

Call Pete Tilden at (616) 298-0771 or email ptilden@gracechristian.edu

The post When You Can’t Agree on an Estate Plan appeared first on Grace Christian University.

Jimmy Buffett built an empire on the simple philosophy of “living for the weekend” and creating escapist paradise through his music and business brand. But the legendary singer-songwriter’s death in September 2023 has unleashed anything but paradise for his family. Instead of enjoying peaceful beach days, his $275 million estate has become ground zero for a bitter legal battle that’s making headlines for all the wrong reasons, according to recent court filings and estate planning analysis from Stouffer Legal.

The dispute pits Buffett’s widow, Jane, against co-trustee Richard Mozenter in a nasty fight that exposes fundamental flaws in even the most expensive estate plans. What makes this case particularly shocking isn’t just the astronomical dollar figures, it’s how the same mistakes plaguing the Buffett estate could easily destroy your family’s financial future, whether you’re protecting $275,000 or $275 million.

The Perfect Storm: How Paradise Became a Legal Hurricane

The core of this estate disaster reads like a cautionary tale written specifically for estate planning attorneys. According to  the report, Jane Buffett wants Mozenter removed as co-trustee, accusing him of mismanaging the trust and withholding critical financial information. Meanwhile, Mozenter has counter-sued, claiming Jane has been “completely uncooperative” and alleging that Jimmy himself had concerns about his wife’s ability to manage assets after his death, as reported by The New York Times.

But here’s where the story gets truly disturbing for anyone with significant assets: Mozenter’s projection that the $275 million trust would generate less than $2 million annually—less than a one percent return. This revelation reportedly blindsided Jane, who expected substantially higher distributions to maintain her lifestyle, according to estate planning analysis from Stouffer Legal. Even more troubling, these projections apparently excluded distributions from his primary business empire worth billions.

The situation deteriorated completely when Mozenter reportedly told Jane to “consider adjustments” to her lifestyle or sell personal assets. For a woman who expected to be financially secure for life, this suggestion clearly strained their working relationship beyond any hope of repair.

Lesson #1: The Co-Trustee Trap Can Destroy Any Estate

Despite having access to the best legal minds money can buy, Buffett fell into one of estate planning’s most dangerous pitfalls: appointing co-trustees without clear conflict resolution mechanisms. While co-trustees can provide valuable oversight, they require either perfect harmony or detailed procedures for handling disagreements.

Buffett’s plan apparently provided neither, creating a recipe for exactly the kind of paralysis that now consumes his estate.. As estate planning expert Jake Howell, founder of Howell Estate Planning, explains: “Co-trustees must typically act unanimously. If they disagree on a decision, whether to sell the family home, how to invest funds, or how much to distribute, the entire estate is paralyzed.”

The Fix: Appoint a single, capable trustee with clear successor trustees named in your documents. If you need oversight, create an advisory board rather than splitting control between multiple trustees who could deadlock your entire estate.

Lesson #2: Financial Literacy Gaps Create Billion-Dollar Problems

Jane Buffett’s apparent surprise at the trust’s projected income reveals a critical failure in estate planning education. Despite being married to one of America’s most successful entertainers and businessmen, No one properly informed her about how the estate would function after her husband’s death.

This knowledge gap didn’t just create confusion, it created the foundation for a legal war that’s now consuming the very assets it was designed to protect. When beneficiaries don’t understand how their inheritance works, even perfect legal documents become meaningless.

The Fix: Include comprehensive beneficiary education in your estate planning process. Hold regular family meetings to explain how your plan works, what beneficiaries can expect, and why you made specific choices. These conversations may be uncomfortable, but they prevent expensive litigation later.

Lesson #3: Business Assets Require Crystal-Clear Instructions

The confusion over Margaritaville Holdings distributions highlights how business assets can become estate planning landmines. Buffett’s wealth was built on his business empire, yet the trust documents apparently didn’t clearly address how these assets would be managed and distributed.

For someone whose annual income from Margaritaville was approximately $200 million, according to business reports, this oversight created exactly the kind of ambiguity that fuels expensive litigation. When trust documents don’t specifically address business valuations, distributions, and management succession, families are left guessing about their most valuable assets.

The Fix: If you own a business, ensure your estate plan specifically addresses how it will be managed, valued, and potentially sold or transferred. Include detailed formulas for calculating distributions and remove personal judgment from the equation wherever possible.

Lesson #4: Poor Communication Turns Estates Into Battlefields

The fact that both parties immediately resorted to public litigation suggests Buffett’s trust documents lacked built-in mediation or arbitration clauses. Instead of having private mechanisms to resolve conflicts, this family’s dirty laundry is now being aired in court filings and media coverage.

This public spectacle isn’t just embarrassing, it’s expensive. Every day this litigation continues, legal fees are consuming assets that should be supporting the family. The estate is also dealing with damaged relationships that may never heal and uncertainty about the ultimate resolution.

The Fix: Build comprehensive dispute resolution mechanisms into your estate documents. Include mandatory mediation and arbitration clauses that can resolve conflicts privately and efficiently, keeping your family’s business out of the headlines.

Lesson #5: The True Cost of Poor Planning Extends Far Beyond Money

The Buffett estate dispute perfectly illustrates why the most expensive estate plan is the one you don’t have, or the one you have but haven’t properly implemented. This family is now dealing with:

• Public embarrassment and media scrutiny that’s tarnishing Jimmy Buffett’s legacy
• Massive legal fees that are reducing the estate’s actual value
• Damaged family relationships that may never recover
• Delayed distributions while the dispute drags on
• Complete uncertainty about how this will ultimately resolve

For a family that should be grieving and celebrating Jimmy Buffett’s incredible life and legacy, this legal nightmare represents the opposite of everything he stood for.

Your Estate Doesn’t Need to Become the Next Paradise Lost

This context becomes even more significant when considering research from Cerulli Associates showing that the “Great Wealth Transfer” will amount to $105 trillion being transferred to heirs by 2048. With trillions in assets set to transfer from baby boomers to their heirs in the coming decades, the Buffett case offers critical lessons for families at every wealth level.

Choose trustees carefully, selecting people who understand your values, communicate well with your family, and have experience managing similar assets. Make sure your spouse and children understand how your estate plan works through honest conversations during your lifetime. Build mediation and arbitration clauses into your documents to resolve disputes privately. If you own a business, address specifically how it will be managed and valued after your death.

According to Ana Mineva, co-founder of DGLegacy, “When one of the partners is not financially proficient, the high earner typically sets up a trust or family trust to protect their assets and loved ones.” She explains that Buffett “made an estate plan, he used a family trust to shield assets from probate, and he named trustees to ensure long-term management.”

Most importantly, remember that estate plans require regular updates as your life, family, and assets change. The document you created ten years ago may not reflect your current situation or family dynamics.

The Bottom Line: Paradise Requires Planning

Jimmy Buffett spent decades creating musical and business paradise for millions of fans worldwide. But his estate planning created the opposite of paradise for the people he loved most. The irony is devastating: unlimited financial resources couldn’t fix fundamental planning mistakes after death.

The good news? You can learn from Buffett’s mistakes without experiencing his family’s pain. Comprehensive estate planning isn’t just about having the right documents, it’s about creating clear instructions, educating your family, and building mechanisms to resolve conflicts before they destroy relationships.

As Buffett himself might have said, the best way to ensure your legacy stays in paradise is to plan like your family’s future depends on it. Because it does.

The post Trouble in Paradise: 5 Critical Lessons from Jimmy Buffett’s $275 Million Estate Disaster appeared first on Grace Christian University.

At Grace Christian University, we talk often about living with purpose. But what about after we’re gone? Who will carry forward the resources God has placed in our hands? That’s where a will comes in.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only. It does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice. Please consult your attorney, financial advisor, or estate planning professional to determine what is best for your situation.

Most Americans Don’t Have a Will

Let’s start with the facts. Caring.com’s 2024 studies show that about 66% of Americans don’t have an estate plan. That includes wills, trusts, or any legal documents to transfer assets to their chosen beneficiaries. Without a will, decisions about your estate, home, bank accounts, retirement savings, and other assets end up in the hands of court-appointed strangers. State rules take over, and the process can become long, expensive, and stressful for those you love most.

Having a will isn’t only for the wealthy. It’s for anyone who wants to steward their resources wisely and care well for their family, friends, and the ministries they love. Without one, the court decides who receives your assets. Distant relatives or unrelated parties could file claims. Your loved ones may face delays, unexpected legal fees, and even family tension in an already emotional time.

Famous figures like Abraham Lincoln, Howard Hughes, and Pablo Picasso died without a will, leaving their families to navigate years of legal battles. While their estates were large, the principle remains the same for all of us. Planning now prevents conflict later.

Why Do People Avoid Making a Will?

If creating a will is so important, why do so many people avoid it? For many, it feels overwhelming or uncomfortable to think about end-of-life decisions. Others believe they don’t own enough to justify a will, or they plan to “get to it later.” But life rarely follows our timelines. Accidents and illness can come unexpectedly, leaving families without direction.

Taking the time now to put your wishes on paper is one of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones. It provides clarity and peace during a season of grief. It also ensures the resources God has entrusted to you continue making an impact for Christ according to your desires.

Don’t Wait to Plan for Tomorrow

It’s easy to put off estate planning for “someday.” But Make a Will Month is a timely reminder that creating or updating your will doesn’t need to wait until later in life. Life circumstances change, marriage, new children or grandchildren, retirement, health events, or moves to new states with different laws. Each season is an opportunity to review your plans.

Setting aside time this August to review your will, or create one for the first time, is a practical way to care for your family, express your faith, and prepare your household for the future..

A will is often the first and most important step. But it’s also helpful to understand what other documents might support your will and ensure your intentions are fully carried out.

What Documents Do You Need?

Estate planning often begins with a few key documents. A will or trust is the legal foundation. A will states your wishes for how your assets will be distributed after you pass away. A trust can direct certain assets under specific conditions while you’re living or after death. Trusts are often beneficial for those with larger estates or unique family circumstances, but it’s wise to talk with an estate planning attorney or specialized financial advisor. Estate law is complex, and professional guidance ensures your intentions are carried out clearly.

Alongside your will or trust, make sure you have beneficiary designations updated on accounts like life insurance and retirement funds. These designations ensure those specific accounts go directly to your chosen recipients. You will also want a power of attorney for finances, appointing someone you trust to manage your financial affairs if you become unable to do so, and a medical power of attorney to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable.

Including Ministries You Love in Your Will

Many faithful supporters choose to include their favorite ministries in their estate plans. This decision allows them to continue making an impact for Christ beyond their lifetime. There are a few ways to do this. Some designate a percentage or tithe of their estate to Grace Christian University or other ministries close to their heart. Others use what is called a “child named charity” approach, treating their charity as an additional child. For example, if you have four children and one charity, each receives 20% of your estate.

Some donors choose to give business interests, IRAs, or real estate to ministry. These types of gifts can also provide significant tax benefits to your estate and heirs while leaving a powerful legacy of generosity.

Where Can You Start?

Getting started can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. There are trusted resources available to help you create or update your will.

GiftWise is one such resource. Grace has partnered with GiftWise to provide free will creation tools for supporters. Using GiftWise costs you nothing. You are under no obligation to leave money to Grace, and your information remains private. 

FreeWill is another helpful platform. It allows you to create a legally valid will online at no cost. Many ministries partner with FreeWill to help their supporters steward their resources well. 

For those looking for biblical guidance alongside financial advice, the National Christian Foundation offers resources and donor-advised fund options. Their team specializes in helping Christians give wisely and impactfully. 

Final Thoughts

At Grace Christian University, we believe in living for what matters most. Preparing a will is one way to ensure that your life’s resources continue to support your family and ministries making an impact for Christ. It is an act of stewardship and care for those you love, a tangible way to reflect your values and faith even after your life on earth is complete.

If you would like to talk about legacy giving opportunities, please reach out to petetilden@gracechristian.edu. We are here to walk with you as you steward what God has entrusted to you with wisdom, courage, and purpose.

The post August is “Make a Will Month.” Here’s Why That Matters. appeared first on Grace Christian University.

When it comes to supporting Grace Christian University, there are often more cost-effective ways to give than simply reaching for your wallet or checkbook. In fact, giving non-cash assets can open new doors for generosity, stewardship, and impact.

Non-cash gifts include assets like stocks, real estate, business interests, commodities, or machinery. These types of gifts not only bless ministries like Grace Christian University but also provide significant benefits to you as a donor.

Here are four powerful reasons to consider non-cash giving:

1. Reduce Your Taxes

When you give appreciated non-cash assets, you can receive a deduction for the fair market value of the gift at the time it’s given. You also avoid paying taxes on the sale of those appreciated assets, which can result in significant savings.

2. Eliminate Hassles

Have assets you no longer need or want to manage? By gifting them to Grace Christian University, you simplify your life while advancing Kingdom work.

3. Increase Your Giving Capacity

Giving from your excess resources, such as appreciated stock or property, allows you to make a greater impact without affecting your day-to-day cash flow.

4. Eliminate Burdens for Your Heirs

Complex assets can often create tax burdens or complications for loved ones. By giving these assets to ministry, you reduce potential challenges for your heirs and leave a legacy that points to what mattered most to you.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as tax, legal, or financial advice. Gift results may vary. Please consult your financial advisor or legal counsel for advice specific to your situation.

What is next?

If you want to explore smart and powerful ways to support Grace Christian University, contact Pete Tilden at (616) 298-0771 or email ptilden@gracechristian.edu.

So, is cash really king? Not when it comes to giving. By considering all your available options, you can make a greater impact and steward your resources wisely.

The post Is Cash Really King? appeared first on Grace Christian University.

1. Give a Percentage or Tithe

One simple way to include giving in your will is by allocating a percentage of your estate toward Grace Christian University and other Kingdom-focused causes. Some individuals choose to designate ten percent as a reflection of their lifelong practice of tithing, ensuring that generosity continues as part of their family’s story.

2. Name Charity as Another Child

Another approach is often called the “child named Charity” model. Here’s how it works: if you have four children, you divide your estate into five parts. Each child receives one part, and the fifth part goes to the ministry or charity of your choice. This method treats your giving as an integral part of your family legacy while still providing generously for your children.

3. Give from Your Assets

Many people choose to give gifts of assets in their wills. This might include real estate, business interests, retirement accounts, machinery, or even personal collections. Often these assets carry special meaning, or perhaps your children no longer need them. In other cases, donating certain assets can help protect your family from unnecessary taxes while supporting ministries you care about deeply. 

This blog is intended to provide general information and is not meant as tax, legal, or financial advice. Always consult with your trusted advisors to determine what’s best for your situation.

Need Help Deciding?

If you’re wondering which giving option best reflects your goals and values, talking with someone you trust can make all the difference. Through Grace Christian University’s partnership with Barnabas Foundation, you have access to trusted planning support at no cost to you. A Barnabas planner will walk alongside you to create a plan that honors God, cares for your family, and supports ministries close to your heart. 

To learn more, reach out to Pete Tilden at (616) 298-0771 or email ptilden@gracechristian.edu

The post Three Impactful Ways to Include Giving in Your Will appeared first on Grace Christian University.

Many supporters further the ministry of Grace Christian University through gifts that pay income. Through a lifetime income gift, you provide meaningful support to Grace and secure steady lifetime payments for you or your loved one’s future.

But what if you want to provide for a loved one beyond your own lifetime?

Including a life income gift in your estate plan is a generous and creative way to bless your children, grandchildren, or other individuals with special needs.

Faithful Giving With Eternal Impact

For example, John wanted to provide additional retirement funds to one of his faithful, long-term employees, Sharon. He included a gift in his will that offers Sharon steady payments until the time of her passing, when the remainder will go toward ministry.

Another couple was concerned their children would receive a single large lump sum when they go to be with the Lord. Instead, they set up lifetime income gifts that will provide each of their children 20 years of steady income, after which their favorite ministries will be blessed.

This information is not intended as tax, legal or financial advice. Gift results may vary. Consult your financial advisor and legal counsel for information and advice specific to your situation.

Learn More

Is a lifetime income gift the right charitable solution for your goals and situation?
We’d love to tell you more.

 Call Pete Tilden at (616) 298-0771
 Email Pete Tilden at ptilden@gracechristian.edu

The post Providing for a Loved One’s Future appeared first on Grace Christian University.

1. Give now.
   If you are age 70½ or older, you have a unique and highly tax-efficient giving opportunity. You can contribute up to just over $100,000 (indexed annually for inflation) directly from your IRA through a qualified charitable distribution. This can count toward your required minimum distribution and lower your taxable income, all while supporting the mission of Grace to graduate courageous ambassadors for Christ.
2. Give later.
   Leave a legacy of eternal impact. IRAs left to loved ones are considered taxable income. But when you name Grace Christian University as a beneficiary, your gift goes entirely to the university, tax-free, equipping future students to learn, grow, and serve for generations to come.

Whether you give now, later, or both, giving through your IRA is a wise way to steward your resources and invest in the ministry work happening at Grace.

To learn more, email Pete Tilden at ptilden@gracechristian.edu or call Pete Tilden at (616) 298-0771. 

The post Now and Later: Tax-Wise Giving from Your IRA appeared first on Grace Christian University.