Advantages
How it works
You donate stocks or shares in a mutual fund to Mennonite Foundation. We turn your contribution into cash which can then be put into a charitable gift fund, a gift annuity, or a charitable trust. Your gift represents an irrevocable contribution to Mennonite Foundation and is not refundable to you.If your donation is placed in a charitable gift fund, the money is available for distribution to The Fuller Center at any time you wish. If your donation is placed in a charitable trust or gift annuity, payments from the trust or annuity will be paid to you or your beneficiary as long as you live. The balance of the trust or annuity will be transferred to The Fuller Center upon your death or the death of your beneficiary.
Assets contributed to the gift fund, gift annuity, or charitable trust become the property of the foundation, and the donor retains no legal control over the gift. Instead, the donor is entitled to give non-binding advice to the foundation about the distribution of the funds.
How to give a gift
You may give a gift of stock or mutual fund shares by mail, hand delivery, or through a broker. If your donation is to a charitable gift fund, Mennonite Foundation will make disbursements from the fund based on your recommendations. Checks are generally mailed out within two business days after recommendations are received or approved. A letter is mailed with the check explaining the gift.
If your gift is made to a charitable trust or gift annuity, Mennonite Foundation invests your donation according to our stewardship investing guidelines. You and/or your beneficiary receive regular payments until your or your beneficiary’s death. The balance of the trust or annuity is then distributed to The Fuller Center.
How to transfer stock or mutual fund shares
By mail or hand delivery: You should date and sign one Stock Power for each stock certificate and one Disclaimer Form for each stock issue. The forms are available from your Mennonite Foundation office. A Disclaimer Form can also be a letter signed by you. Your signature must be guaranteed by a commercial bank officer or stock broker.You should place the stock certificate (not endorsed) in one envelope and the Stock Power and Disclaimer Form (with signature guarantees) in another envelope and mail them to Mennonite Foundation, 1110 N. Main St., P.O. Box 483, Goshen, IN 46527. The gift is completed on the date you placed the stock certificate and Stock Power and Disclaimer Form in the mail.You may also hand deliver the documents to a Mennonite Foundation representative. The gift is completed when the documents are in the possession of the foundation representative.
Through a broker: The stocks may also be delivered to a broker, but the delivery date will be when your broker delivers the stock to Mennonite Foundation.If your stock is registered in street name, the date of delivery is when you can no longer legally revoke transfer. There can be delays in the date of transfer.
Transfer of mutual fund shares: You write a letter to the mutual fund company asking them to transfer shares to a new account as a charitable gift for Mennonite Foundation. A Mennonite Foundation staff person can help you draft the letter. The letter must have your guaranteed signature when it is mailed to the mutual fund company. Mennonite Foundation may need to set up an account with the mutual fund company prior to receiving the gift. The gift date is the date the mutual fund company transfers shares to the Mennonite Foundation account.
What The Fuller Center receives
The Fuller Center is dependent on the generosity of donors like you. We are delighted to receive gifts funded by stock or mutual fund shares through Mennonite Foundation because it often makes the process easier for donors.
What you receive
You receive a charitable contribution tax deduction for the fair market value of your gift of stocks or mutual fund shares you have owned more than one year. You can use your deduction up to 30 percent of your gross adjusted income in the year of your gift with a five-year carry-over for any excess amount. You also avoid tax on any capital gains you have realized. In addition, you receive an annual statement of your fund donations. If your gift establishes a charitable trust or gift annuity, you or your beneficiary receive payments during your lifetime. And you get the satisfaction of knowing The Fuller Center will benefit from your generosity.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions or would like to talk more about planned giving programs, call Fuller Center headquarters at 229-924-2900.