Building for the Future
There are a vast number of unmet needs in our church. Opportunities for mission and ministry abound. These opportunities might only be realized as individuals extend their giving beyond regular weekly and monthly giving.
You are invited to consider building for the future in making a planned gift to the MNO Synod.
A foundation has been created to receive these gifts. In this way, the principle can be preserved and the interest can be used for mission and ministry for the years to come.
You might wish to contact the synod office to talk to a planned gift facilitator. He or she is trained to help each donor understand the types of gifts and the tax implications of each.

Bequests
As you think about your estate, you may want to consider making a bequest to your church — stating in your will that a certain proportion of your estate is to be given to your church. Such an arrangement might enable you to make a more significant gift than you could make while you were alive. It can certainly help the church further its work, and might allow you, the donor, to keep on giving for years to come.
According to Revenue Canada, a church member’s estate can use a tax receipt of up to 20% of annual net income retroactive to the year previous to death. It is important that the will specify exactly how much you wish to bequest to be allocated. For example: “To the Foundation,” might need to be more specific: “To the MNO Synod Foundation for Mission and Ministry, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Gift Annuities
Some individuals needing an annual income have chosen to purchase a gift annuity in order to leave a legacy. You may buy an annuity through the church. The church invests the money and is committed to pay you a guaranteed income for life. The church receives the remainder of the principal when you die.
You must be at least 60 years of age. Older donors might qualify for a tax receipt at the time of purchase — the older the donor, the greater the tax advantage.

Life Insurance Policies
Life insurance as a gift may be made in two ways. Many people give a new policy as a gift. Others donate a paid-up policy they no longer need.
If an existing policy is donated, a tax receipt for the policy’s cash value can be issued.
If you take out a new life insurance policy that is owned by the church and which is payable to the church on your death, the premiums are tax deductible. The premiums and the resulting gift can be adjusted to suit your financial capability. You receive a charitable receipt annually for the payment.

Charitable Remainder Trusts
This gift, in the form of cash, stocks, bonds or real estate, gives you, the donor, an ongoing income from the investment of this valuable asset, even though you have given it away.
The assets remaining in the trust provide an income for you while you are alive and when you die they are used for ministry that you may designate.
Compared to the bequest, which provides tax relief only when you die, the charitable remainder trust generates a one-time tax receipt at the time you donate the gift.
The annual income of this planned gift is taxable.
Since this form of gift is not included in your estate, it is shielded from probate fees.
This gift, like an annuity, is irrevocable. You can not take it back once it is given.

Gifts for Special Occasions
It is very appropriate to make planned gift to commemorate a special happening such as a wedding, graduation, retirement or death.
A donor may wish to designate all or a portion of that gift to the MNO Synod Foundation for Mission and Ministry to allow the gift to go on giving for future generations. A tax receipt, of course, is issued for such donations.

Help build a foundation for the future of the church.

For more information call the synod office at 204.889.3760 or email mnosynod@elcic.ca.