Ways of Giving

Immediate Gifts

Planned Gifts

In 1889, the first Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The first sisters ministered in health care, but soon expanded into education and social services, using the example of Jesus' compassion as their model for service. They continue to rely on the support of people whose lives have been blessed by their loving ministry.

The SSJ Guild was established in 1956 by the sisters, their relatives, former students and friends with two primary purposes. The first purpose was to unite members with the sisters in their prayers. The second was to give financial assistance for the education of new members of the congregation for their future work in schools, hospitals, and homes for dependent children.

In 1995 the Public Relations and Development Office was established to continue and expand the work of the SSJ Guild. This office unites our families, friends and benefactors with the Sisters of St. Joseph through prayer, through publications and communications, and through seeking financial support for the congregation's mission, ministries, and senior sister care. The office includes communications, public relations and development activities of the congregation.

How can you give to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth? … through your time, your talent, your treasure!

• Time and Talent - volunteer your time and skills to one of our ministries or to assist our senior sisters

• Treasure - share a portion of God's gifts to you by making a gift to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth

  • Cash
    
  • Stocks or Mutual Funds
    
  • Gifts-In-Kind
    
  • Real Estate
    
  • Bequest
    
  • Life Insurance
    
  • Retirement Assets
    
  • Trust

Immediate Gifts

Cash
Many donors prefer to give cash gifts. Cash gifts are effective immediately. The proceeds are available immediately for our needs. Many donors time their most significant cash gifts at the end of the year.

Cash gifts to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth are tax deductible as permitted by law. Charitable gift deductions (up to 50% of adjusted gross income) may be available to lower the donor's tax bill. Other limitations may apply for higher incomes.

Stocks or Mutual Funds
Persons who hold highly appreciated stocks or mutual fund shares may gift such shares directly to the Sisters. Property whose value has highly appreciated makes an excellent gift for charitable purposes. The donor receives an income tax deduction for the value of the stock or mutual fund (up to 30% of adjusted gross income) on the date the charity receives the gift. At the same time, capital gains taxes on the appreciation are usually avoided. If you wish to donate stock or mutual fund shares, we will coordinate with your broker.

Gifts in Kind
Tangible personal property can be donated as a gift-in-kind. In recent years we have received gifts of automobiles, wheelchairs, walkers and art pieces. Gifts of personal property for related use by us, or directly marketable by us, are tax deductible at fair market value.

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Planned Gifts

Wills and Bequests
Naming the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth in your will is the simplest and most common deferred gift. A will is a legal instrument which directs how the financial proceeds of your life will be distributed among those you care most about. Your will, if you have one, can assure continuation of your life's work and goals through resources that you earned and saved. Your will names the recipients of your estate. Bequests can be assigned without qualification or can be restricted to:

• fixed dollar amount
  
• fixed percentage of your estate
  
• specific property such as real estate, stocks, bonds, automobile
  
• residue or remainder of your estate after debts, taxes, expenses and specific bequests have been paid.

Your will should be reviewed and revised periodically to meet your current wishes and to keep pace with changing estate and tax laws.

For those who choose to not prepare a will, each state has generic formulas to identify who are heirs and to specify how the estate will be distributed among them.

Life Insurance
Paid up life insurance can be an ideal gift for some donors. A review of your life insurance coverage might indicate that some policies may no longer be necessary. You may make a deferred gift by naming the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth as a beneficiary. Alternately, you can make an immediate gift, and the cash value of the policy becomes available to the Sisters.

Retirement Assets
Many people in their retirement years find a large portion of their wealth in tax-sheltered retirement accounts such as IRAs, 403Bs, 401Ks, Keogh Plans and the like. When these investments are passed to heirs, both income and estate taxes apply. For larger estates, combined income and estate taxes can exceed 70%, leaving less than 30% for heirs.

Tax sheltered retirement accounts make excellent deferred gifts. By naming the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth as designated beneficiary, the owner continues to receive anticipated returns from the account during his or her lifetime. At death, the entire account value passes tax-free to the congregation. If desired, planned gifts of life insurance or other tax-advantaged assets can be used to replace funds the heirs would otherwise receive.

Real Estate
Appreciated real estate can generate significant tax savings when donated to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth. The full value of the real property (up to 30% of adjusted gross income) can be deducted provided that the property has been held for more than one year.

A gift of the remainder interest in your home, farm or vacation home may also produce excellent tax results. You gain income tax deductions now for a gift that is deferred until your death. You may continue to live in your home as before. The gift requires no cash, does not increase personal expenses and can be accomplished without a separate trust.

Trusts
Revocable or living trusts often play an important role in larger estate plans. Like wills, they are a good way to make a gift to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth. Trusts can be used to avoid probate and to designate responsibility for management of assets.

A charitable remainder unitrust or annuity trust provides lifetime benefits to you and your family with the remainder to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth. You or your estate receive a deduction for the value of the remainder interest. Trusts allow increased life income to you while making a tax-advantaged gift to the congregation.

How to Make a Planned Gift
To make a planned gift, the following information may be helpful:

• Formal Name: Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth
• Address: 3427 Gull Road, P.O. Box 29, Nazareth, MI 49074

For more information contact members of our Development staff: Eileen Rutten, 269-381-6290, ext. 211; Sister Mary Rita Sayers, 248-582-9163; or by e-mail erutten@csjoseph.org.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as specific legal advice or tax counseling. Please consult your attorney on legal implications and your accountant on tax implications. State laws governing these matters vary and are subject to change.

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