Estate Planning Information

According to the ECFA 90% of a person's financial wealth is not in a person's cash flow but instead is in a person's assets and his or her estate. Additionally, 90% of church-goers will pass away without having given anything to the church from their assets, wills or estate plans, (3rd Quarter Newsletter 2009).

By including the church in your estate planning you provide a means to continue financially supporting the church when you are no longer living ... it is a gift that keeps on giving!

Estate Planning

What Are Ways I Can Give Through Estate Planning?

A provision in your Will.

  • Check with an attorney. It is very easy to add an appropriate provision to an existing Will.

Including First Colony as a listed Beneficiary of various financial assets (where permissible).

  • Life Insurance Policies
  • Pension Plans
  • Retirement Plans (Deferred Compensation, 401(k), IRA, TSA/TBA/403(b) or 457 plans)
  • Trusts (CRT, CLT, etc.) Click to Learn More.
  • Donor Advised Funds (DAF) Click to Learn More 

What Is My Next Step?

You should consult with your Family, Tax Accountant, Financial Advisor and/or Estate Planning Attorney before making any plans with respect to Estate Gifting and any other significant current gifts other than those you normally give.

Consultation with the First Colony Chief Financial Officer is also recommended. You can email below to set up a time to talk.

EMAIL

Thank you for your interest in seeking additional ways in which to financially support the work at First Colony. 

Trusts

What Are Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRT’s)?

Provides the Donor an opportunity to retain a current income stream from an income producing asset during the life of the Trust but ultimately pass the asset on to the benefit of First Colony Church Of Christ.

Assets are Transferred to the Trust (CRT)

  • Stock, Real Estate or Cash transferred to the CRT
  • Current year income tax deduction may be available for the Donor
  • CRT may sell the asset tax-free (especially benecial for appreciated assets)

Payments from the Income Stream for Life of the Trust are Made to the Donor from the CRT
Payments to the Donor may be defined as either a fixed dollar amount or as a fixed percentage of the initial Trust assets for the life of the trust or for a defined period of time.

Remainder in the Trust Ultimately transfers to First Colony
After the lifetime of the Trust, the remaining Trust balance passes to First Colony.

What Are Charitable Lead Trusts (CLT’s)?

Provides the Donor the opportunity to ultimately retain the donated asset in his or her estate, but passes a current income stream from the donated asset to the benefit of First Colony during the term of the Trust.

Assets are Transferred to the Trust (CLT)

  • Stock , Real Estate or Cash transferred to the CLT
  • “Possible” current year income tax deduction may be available (if a “Grantor” CLT)
  • CLT may sell the assets tax-free (especially beneficial for appreciated assets)

Payment from the Income Stream to First Colony for Life of the Trust or for a Fixed Term of Years to First Colony from the CLT
Payments to First Colony may be defined as either a fixed dollar amount or as a fixed percentage of the initial Trust assets for the life of the trust or for a defined period of time.

Remainder in the Trust Ultimately Passes to the Donor or the Donor’s Heirs
After the lifetime of the Trust, the remaining Trust assets revert to the Donor or to the Donor’s Heirs.

What Is My Next Step?

You should consult with your Family, Tax Accountant, Financial Advisor and/or Estate Planning Attorney before making any plans with respect to Estate Gifting and any other significant current gifts other than those you normally give.

Consultation with the First Colony Chief Financial Officer is also recommended. You can use the link below to email and set up a time to talk.

EMAIL

Thank you for your interest in seeking additional ways in which to financially support the work at First Colony.

Donor Advised Funds

What Are Donor Advised Funds (DAF’s)?

Provides the Donor an opportunity to recommend periodic “gifts” be made to First Colony and/or to other IRS-Qualified recipients.

Assets are Transferred to the DAF

  • Donor contributes assets (cash, securities etc.) to the DAF.
  • Current year income tax deduction may be available for the Donor.

Assets are Managed by the DAF

  • DAF is managed by an independent third party (e.g. a bank trust department, mutual fund management company, etc.).
  • DAF may sell the assets tax-free (especially beneficial for appreciated assets).

Assets are Gifted from the DAF

  • Donor recommends certain “IRS Qualified Charities” of his/her choice as potential beneficiaries of periodic distributions from the DAF (FCCC would be included in this listing of potential beneficiaries).
  • Donor periodically provides “recommendations” to the DAF regarding the “timing, amount and suggested beneficiaries” to receive distributions from the DAF…gifting from the DAF is very flexible…a valuable feature to some Donors.
  • All assets held by the DAF are ultimately gifted to one or more of the listed qualifying beneficiaries.

What Is My Next Step?

You should consult with your Family, Tax Accountant, Financial Advisor and/or Estate Planning Attorney before making any plans with respect to Estate Gifting and any other signicant current gifts other than those you normally give.

Consultation with the First Colony Chief Financial Officer is also recommended. Use the link below to email and set up a time to talk.

EMAIL

Thank you for your interest in seeking additional ways in which to financially support the work at First Colony.

Targeted Giving

What Are The Different Types Of Targeted Giving?

You may be interested in giving above and beyond your regular offering and you wonder where you can give money that will make a difference for Jesus and his church. Whether you want to give a special gift during the year or you want to consider an impactful gift as you develop your estate plan, the church has some needs that you can help meet. Your targeted gifts can make a difference in the Missions Fund, Compassion Fund, Debt Reduction Fund, Preaching Fund and the General Fund.

Missions Fund

Are you interested in seeing the Good News of Jesus shared around the world? We have teams of people working to extend mission points in places as close as Houston and as far away as Uganda, but we need funds to continue these exciting new works. Your contribution can make a difference in these mission efforts when you give to the Missions Fund.

Compassion Fund

Jesus said the poor would always be with us, and that certainly is true. If you have the heart to assist families and individuals in our community who need financial assistance and counseling, partner with us and give to the Compassion Fund. Make a difference for those in need when it’s needed most.

Debt Reduction Fund

First Colony Church is committed to reducing the debt on our land and building facilities and we have been working on that since we first built. If you want to join us in this effort, we ask that you give to our Debt Reduction Fund. The beauty of giving to this Fund is that you make a difference both now and in the future as reducing our debt frees up money that would have otherwise gone for debt payment and makes it available for additional ministries.

Preaching Fund

If your Christian walk has been impacted by the strong, biblical preaching you have heard at First Colony and you want to see that legacy continue for future generations, we encourage you to consider a contribution to our Preaching Fund. Our desire is to grow this fund until it can be converted into a Preaching Endowment to continue the tradition of an excellent teaching ministry for generations to come. If you want to make a difference for future generations, contribute to the Preaching Fund.

General Fund

We like to think of our General Fund as the “Immediate Impact” fund. Contributions to the General Fund are used immediately for the many good ministries and works going on right now. If you are here on Sunday and look around, you can’t help but see the many ways your financial gifts are being used. If you want your contributions to go to work NOW to make a  difference, give to the General Fund.

How Can I Provide Targeted Giving?

Contact the Executive Minister or Chief Financial Officer to discuss a targeted gift for one of our five highlighted funds or to include specific provision in your will or trust indicating the amount of your financial estate assets which you would like to be directed to First Colony Church of Christ.

Please Note
All gifts are subject to the terms and conditions of the gift acceptance policy. Targeted Giving must be consistent with First Colony’s Core Values and Beliefs.

What Is My Next Step?

You should consult with your Family, Tax Accountant, Financial Advisor and/or Estate Planning Attorney before making any plans with respect to Estate Gifting and any other significant current gifts other than those you normally give.

Consultation with the First Colony Chief Financial Officer is also recommended. Use the link below to email and set up a time to talk.

EMAIL

Thank you for your interest in seeking additional ways in which to financially support the work at First Colony.

Resource Team

As you consider giving to First Colony Church of Christ as a part of your estate planning, we understand you may have questions or concerns. You may contact the Chief Financial Officer of First Colony through the link below. The CFO will talk with you and give you a list of resource team professionals. While we have professionals we can refer you to for an initial consultation, we strongly recommend you retain your own independent financial advisors before you make any final decisions.

CONTACT US