FSLF: Donor Questions



1. How do I leave a gift in memory of a person or for a specific purpose? 2. What should an obituary state when leaving a gift to the Franciscan Sisters? 3. How do I make sure that my gift goes to the organization of my choice? 4. Do I tell the charity, like the Franciscan Sisters, I’ve left a gift? 5. I’m not a wealthy person with an “estate.” Can I leave a gift? 6. What type of planned gift can I make? 7. Which gifts provide me with income and how do they work? 8. Which gifts provide income to the Franciscan Sisters and how do they work? 9. Which deferred planned gift is most often given? 10. What will my bequest mean? 11. Who are members of the Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Society? 12. How do I get started?
How do I make a contribution to a charity such as the Franciscan Sisters? There are numerous ways to support the Franciscan Sisters—financial contributions, in-kind donations and the gift of your time. Financial contributions come in many forms as well. We have faithful donors who give monthly, quarterly or during our Annual Appeal. Some give by returning their donation in the envelope enclosed with the sisters’ publication Our Journey. A few give monthly with a credit-card donation. People are also prompted to make contributions in memory and honor of loved ones. There are also a number of planned gifts that can be administered through the Franciscan Sisters. These usually come in the form of bequests, annuities, trusts, securities, IRA's and other vehicles for estate planning. Below are answers to common questions many people have when considering a planned gift to a charitable organization.
Contributions to the Franciscan Sisters can be sent to: Franciscan Sisters Office of Development 116 8th Avenue SE Little Falls, MN 56345	Forms are available in PDF format if you would like to use them: Partners in Ministry Donation Form Request for Gift Planning Information Gifts are tax deductible as specified in the United States federal tax code.
How do I leave a gift in memory of a person or for a specific purpose? Memorial gifts provide a thoughtful and appropriate way to express sympathy and honor a friend, relative or associate who has passed away. Tribute gifts are an opportunity to honor a relative, friend or business associate, usually for a special occasion: birthday, anniversary, promotion or a particular accomplishment. Memorial or tribute gifts can be designated for Franciscan mission or ministries, Sisters’ Retirement fund or other needs. A form is available in PDF format if you would like to use it: In Loving Tribute Donation Form Gifts are tax deductible as specified in the United States federal tax code. What should an obituary state when leaving a gift to the Franciscan Sisters? During a bereavement period, friends often seek an appropriate means to express sympathy. The following message in the obituary of the deceased provides an avenue to make a meaningful gift: Memorial gifts may be made to the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota 116 8th Avenue SE Little Falls, Minnesota 56345 TOP How do I make sure that my gift goes to the organization of my choice, such as the Franciscan Sisters? State your intention in your estate plan that is prepared by an attorney. Without planning, your property and finances are distributed according to state laws, whether or not they coincide with your wishes. Do I tell the charity, like the Franciscan Sisters, I’ve left a gift? The communication is up to you. Charities like to know in advance so they can recognize your generosity. They also can tell you about other opportunities for giving. I’m not a wealthy person with an “estate.” Can I leave a gift? The word “estate” simply means any property, money or personal belongings that you may have at the time of your death. Most people leave an estate when they die, even though they may not be wealthy. Even people with a small estate can arrange to leave a charitable gift. TOP What type of planned gift can I make? You can make both current and deferred gifts. Current planend gifts are such items as cash, stocks , real estate and personal property. Deferred gifts, such as bequests, annuity, charitable remainder trust, life insurance policy, are committed to the Franciscan Sisters, but are not available for use until some future time, usually at the death of the donor. Which gifts provide me with income and how do they work? Charitable Gift Annuity - A charitable gift annuity enables you to transfer cash or marketable securities to the charitable organization issuing the gift annuity in exchange for a current income tax deduction and the Franciscan Sisters’ promise to make fixed annual payments to you for the duration of your life. Annuity payments can begin immediately or can be deferred to some future date. Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust - A charitable remainder annuity trust is a custom designed and individually managed trust that enables you to retain a fixed income for your lifetime or a fixed term of years, claim a current income tax deduction, and make a future gift to the Franciscan Sisters. Charitable Remainder Unitrust - A charitable remainder unitrust is a custom designed and individually managed trust that enables you to retain a variable income for your lifetime or a fixed term of years, claim a current income tax deduction, and make a future gift to the Franciscan Sisters. TOP Which gifts provide income to the Franciscan Sisters and how do they work? Charitable Lead Annuity Trust - A charitable lead annuity trust is a custom designed and individually managed trust that enables you to give a fixed amount to the Franciscan Sisters for either a fixed term of years or the life of one or more individuals. Upon conclusion of the measuring term, the trust terminates and, according to the terms of trust instrument, distributes its remaining assets (called the remainder interest) back to you or to one or more individuals that you have specified. Charitable Lead Unitrust - A charitable lead unitrust is a custom designed and individually managed trust that enables you to give a variable annual amount to the Franciscan Sisters for a fixed term of years or the life of one or more individuals. Upon conclusion of the measuring term, the trust terminates and, according to the terms of trust instrument, distributes its remaining assets (called the remainder interest) back to you or to one or more individuals that you have specified. Which deferred planned gift is most often given? Bequests, something given to the Franciscan Sisters by will. Typically, annuity or assets are the most popular. Nearly 80 to 90 percent of all deferred planned gifts are bequests. TOP What will my bequest mean? One hundred percent deductibility plus dramatic reduction in estate taxes. Even a modest gift can mean a great deal toward helping the Franciscan Sisters continue their ministries. Who will benefit? By recognizing the charities of your choice in your will or estate, you continue to promote the values important to you. You are leaving YOUR legacy. Giving means that you are making the world a better place than you found it. Who are members of the Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Society? Anyone who has remembered the sisters in their estate plans is automatically members of the Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Society. Benefits include: remembrance in daily Mass and prayers of the Franciscan Sisters; participation in the ministries of the sisters; one Mass offered each month at St. Francis Convent; an invitation to an annual dinner and program at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls, Minnesota; and substantial tax savings. TOP How do I get started? 1. Make a personal inventory of your assets. 2. Identify charities you wish to remember, like the Franciscan Sisters. 3. Contact the Franciscan Sisters about planned giving opportunities. 4. Contact your professional advisor. 5. Write your will or change your will to include charities, like the Franciscan Sisters. Where can I find more information? Contact the director of Gift Planning, Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, 116 8th Avenue SE, Little Falls, MN 56345 320-632-0699 or giftplanning@fslf.org. TOP

Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota
116 8th Avenue SE, Little Falls, MN 56345
(320)632-2981m info@fslf.org

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