Deferred gifts are the result of careful planning that integrates a donor's charitable gift into his or her overall financial, tax and estate planning objectives so as to maximize benefits for both the donor and Seamen's Church Institute.

Planned gifts are built into the donor's estate planning and there can be many tax advantages.

Each of the deferred giving instruments summarized below is closely regulated by law and requires special arrangements and tax treatment. An overview of possible gifts is below while in-depth information is available on the Ways to Give (link to Ways To Give page) page.

Overview of Gifts - Click the gift for more information

Type of Gift: Bequest
Bequest could be held in perpetuity and invested to fund SCI program needs.

Benefit to You: Possible estate tax deduction; Opportunity to make a perpetual gift.

Type of Gift: Charitable Gift Annuity
You transfer an asset such as cash or stocks to the Institute. In return, the Institute guarantees to pay you a fixed payment based on your current age.

Benefit to You: Guaranteed fixed income for life; Portion of income is tax-free; Deferred income if desired; Possible income and estate tax deductions.

Type of Gift: Charitable Lead Trust
Income to the Institute for duration of trust, which helps meet spiritual and human needs that exceed the capabilities of the operating budgets.

Benefit to You: At the end of the trust period, principle returns to beneficiaries; principal can pass to others with little or no shrinkage from taxes; Possible income and estate tax deductions. Qualified retirement/IRA funds can be a significant gift upon death of donor. Estate and income tax savings may cover a substantial portion of the gift.

Type of Gift: Charitable Remainder Trust
Upon the death of donor or last surviving income beneficiary, remaining assets benefit the Institute.
Benefit to You: Avoidance of capital gains tax on the sale of the assets transferred to the trust; Variable or fixed income; Deferred income if desired; Possible income and estate tax deductions.

Type of Gift: Directed Gifts

Benefit to You: Your tax-deductible gift to the SCI can be directed in a variety of ways. You may target your gift for a specific program, such as Ministry on the River or Christmas at Sea.

Type of Gift: Endowments
Benefit to You: An endowment gift is a permanent legacy and provides financial benefits to mariners year after year. The principal of an endowment is invested to grow over time and all the income that it produces is used to provide financial assistance to mariners. Endowment income produces stability and permanence and allows SCI and its programs to plan for the future.

Type of Gift: Insurance Policy
Institute receives full face value of policy upon death of the donor, or may receive current surrender value prior to donor's death.

Benefit to You: Income tax deduction for value of the policy when transferred; Premium payments may be deducted as gifts; possible income and estate tax deductions.

The Importance of Using Professional Counsel - We always encourage prospective donors to seek the advice of professional counsel concerning the best giving option for them. We would welcome the opportunity to provide you or your attorney with additional information on any of the methods of giving described here.

If you decide to include Seamen's Church Institute in your plans, please let us know. We want to say "thank you" and to thank God for you.

Learn more about Planned Giving to the Institute.