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 Matthew'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 online, visit our secure online form.

  • 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 St. Matthew's 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.

    1. How to transfer securities to St. Matthew's – you or your broker should contact the treasurer of St. Matthew's (treasurer@stmatthews-church.org) for security transfer instructions and brokerage account information. You should notify us when donating securities for a specific program or purpose.

    2. Deduction – For gifts of publicly traded securities, the deduction is determined by taking the average, or mean, between the high and low trading prices of the security on the date of the gift (or the nearest trading date(s)).

    3. Other securities – Closely held stock, Subchapter S corporate stock, limited liability company interests and partnerships can sometimes be used to make a charitable gift. Any proposed gift of such assets should be reviewed with St. Matthew's and the donor’s tax advisors in advance. An S corporation, limited liability company or partnership may also donate specific assets and the deduction will be divided among the shareholders or members.

  • 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 St. Matthew's, 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.

  • GIFTS – IN – KIND
    Another way to support St. Matthew's is through gifts of tangible personal property. If a gift is related to the “charitable purpose” of St. Matthew's, which is generally very broad for faith based institutions; the donor may be eligible for a deduction of the asset’s full fair market value. Examples of gifts-in-kind include artwork, special library collections, furnishings, machinery, computer software or hardware.

  • 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.

You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.