This week's story comes from Dan Bacon, gift-planning counselor with The LCMS Foundation for the Rocky Mountain District. Dan has helped many people make the gift they wanted to give in just the way they wanted to give it.
A man called and asked for my help. He wanted to make an anonymous gift to a congregation. He knew that the congregation needed new pews. He wanted to give the money, but he did not want any recognition. In fact, he did not want the congregation to be able to discover the source of the gift.
The gift would come from appreciated stock held on account with a national investment firm. This kind of gift saves the owner of the stock from paying capital gains taxes, while receiving a tax deduction for the full appreciated amount of the gift. After agreeing on the exact wording of the gift, the man decided to proceed.
His broker transferred the securities to the LCMS Foundation's account. The Foundation converted the securities to cash and cut a check to the church.
It was just what the man wanted...the right gift, at the right time, made in just the right way. The transaction was a blessing to everyone involved. Paperwork for tax reporting purposes will all come to the man directly from the Foundation. His anonymity is preserved and God alone is glorified.