planned giving

What is a planned gift?

A planned gift is one that you promise but defer until a later date. This allows you to give a significant donation to Western Theological Seminary without jeopardizing your current or future obligations.

Often there are significant tax advantages to giving this way. Also, planned gifts can be arranged to produce an income to you for life. Some examples of planned gifts include:

• Gifts through a will or living trust
• A charitable life insurance policy
• Retirement plans such as a 401k or an IRA
• Charitable gift annuity (produces income for the giver)

May I choose how my gift is used?

Yes! You may designate your gift to a specific seminary need, the endowment fund, or you may leave it undesignated for us to put it to use where it is most needed. Some examples of specific programs and endowments are:

• Student scholarship assistance
• Facility additions or enhancements
• Faculty support or development
• Technology enhancements
• Library holdings
• Intercultural ministry opportunities

ways to give:

• I'd like to put Western in my will

  Thank you! Bequests are wonderful blessings for which we are immensely grateful. These gifts have helped to train thousands of pastors and teachers who have impacted lives all over the world.

  The process:

  If you already have a will, simply ask an attorney to draft a codicil (an addition) for you. The following wording can be used whether it is a new will or a codicil to a will:

  Specific dollar amount:

  I give $_______________ to Western Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in America whose address is 101 East 13th Street, Holland, Michigan, 49423 to be used for the general purposes of the seminary (or you may designate to a specific fund).

  Percentage:

  I give _______________% of my estate to Western Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in America whose address is 101 East 13th Street, Holland, Michigan, 49423 to be used for the general purposes of the seminary (or you may designate to a specific fund).

  Residue: (Remainder of the estate after all expenses and specific bequests have been granted)

  I give all (or a specific percentage) of my residual estate to Western Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in America whose address is 101 East 13th Street, Holland, Michigan, 49423 to be used for the general purposes of the seminary (or you may designate to a specific fund).

  Specific property:

  I give Western Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in America whose address is 101 East 13th Street, Holland, Michigan, 49423 (description and exact location of the property).

  Please contact a member of the Advancement staff to make appropriate arrangements for gifts of real estate.

• I'd like to give my life insurance

  This is an excellent idea for giving away an asset you may no longer need. Three options for giving life insurance:

  1. Name Western Theological Seminary the primary or secondary beneficiary to your life insurance policy.
  2. Give Western Theological Seminary the paid-up portion of your life insurance policy and receive a tax deduction.
  3. Sign over the policy to Western Theological Seminary and we will become the owner and manager of the life insurance policy for which you have named the seminary the beneficiary.

• I'd like to give my retirement account

  Qualifying accounts:

  • IRA
  • 401(k) or 403(b)
  • Profit-sharing plan set up by employer

  The process:

  Speak to your plan administrator about giving your retirement assets to Western Theological Seminary.

• I'd like to set up a Charitable Gift Annuity

  Charitable Gift Annuities (CGAs) provide a fixed income back to the donor, have several tax benefits, and creatively and substantially support Western Theological Seminary.  CGAs offer a return much higher than traditional CD rates and offer many tax benefits, including both a sizable deduction and tax-free income.  You must be over the age of 55 to qualify for a CGA, and the minimum investment is $5,000.