Planned Giving
Extend Your Support to Future Generations of Shepherds
Your faithful partnership with Shepherds’ Support International is encouraging and
equipping pastors and ministry leaders around the world. Planned giving can help you
care for your family and continue strengthening this work for years to come.
Your Partnership Is Making a Difference
Because of friends like you, Shepherds’ Support International (SSI) is able to serve
pastoral couples and ministry leaders, often in very challenging places. Your
generosity helps us encourage, train, and walk alongside those on the front lines of
ministry.
As you think about the impact you want your giving to have—both now and in the
future—you may be wondering if there are ways to support SSI beyond traditional cash
gifts. Many of our supporters are discovering that “planned giving,” or as some call it,
“creative giving,” allows them to provide for their loved ones and also bless the
ministries and causes they cherish.
What Is Planned Giving?
Planned giving simply means being intentional about how your assets are used, in light
of your goals for both family and charity. With thoughtful planning, you can:
Provide for your family and loved ones
Support ministries you care about, like SSI
Potentially reduce taxes and increase the impact of your giving
Common Ways to Engage In Planned Giving
Include Shepherds’ Support International as a beneficiary in your will or revocable living
trust.
How It Can Help:
- You can provide first for your loved ones and then designate a percentage or specific
amount to support SSI’s mission. - You retain control of your assets during your lifetime.
- You can often add a simple codicil (amendment) to an existing will without rewriting the
entire document.
Good Fit if You Want To:
- Care for family first, then leave a charitable legacy.
- Make a future gift without impacting your current cash flow.
Name SSI as a beneficiary of a retirement account (IRA, 401(k), 403(b)), life insurance
policy, or investment account.
How It Works:
- Contact your plan administrator or financial institution and request a beneficiary
designation form. - You can designate SSI for a percentage or specific amount.
- These designations are usually easy to change if your plans or family needs change.
Potential Benefits:
- Simple to set up—no need to rewrite your will.
- For some, directing tax-deferred retirement assets to ministry while leaving other
assets to family can be a tax‑wise choice.
If you are age 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a qualified charitable distribution directly from your IRA to Shepherds’ Support International.
Key Features:
- A QCD can satisfy some or all of your required minimum distribution (RMD).
- The amount given may be excluded from your taxable income (subject to current law).
- Your gift goes directly to support SSI’s work in equipping pastors and church leaders.
Good Fit If You Want To:
- Reduce taxable income while fulfilling required IRA distributions.
- Give in a tax‑efficient way during retirement.
Instead of selling appreciated stock or mutual fund shares and then giving cash, you
can donate the securities directly to SSI.
Potential Advantages:
- You may avoid capital gains tax on the appreciated amount.
- You may receive a charitable deduction for the fair market value of the asset (subject
to current law). - This can increase your impact at no additional out‑of‑pocket cost.
Good Fit If You Want To:
- Give from investments that have grown in value.
- Rebalance your portfolio in a tax‑smart way.
Certain charitable trusts and similar arrangements can provide income to you or your
loved ones for a period of time, with the remainder eventually benefiting SSI.
How This Can Help:
- Provide income for you, your spouse, or other family members.
- Create a significant future gift to ministry using the same assets.
- Potentially offer tax benefits, depending on your circumstances.
Good Fit If You Want To:
- Provide for both family and ministry using a single asset.
- Structure a more complex, long‑term giving strategy.
Planning With Your Family and Stewardship in Mind
Every family’s situation is unique. Your goals for loved ones and for the ministries you care about should guide your decisions. Planned giving provides tools to:
- Care wisely for your family
- Express your values and faith through generosity
- Continue supporting pastors and church leaders long after your lifetime
This information is educational and is not intended as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Tax laws and individual circumstances vary and may change. Please consult your attorney, tax advisor, financial advisor, or other qualified professionals before making a gift.
Additionally, to facilitate sound gift planning guidance, Shepherds’ Support International has partnered with HighGround Advisors, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help non-profits and their supporters. HighGround Advisors provides confidential expertise and guidance for those seeking charitable gift planning.
HighGround’s team of trust and legal professionals can collaborate with you and your own advisors to explore strategic giving options and design charitable gifts that align with your personal, financial, and philanthropic goals.
Have questions about gift strategies or ways to give? Contact HighGround Advisors at 214-978-3300 or legalteam@highgroundadvisors.org
Let’s Talk About Your Plan for Giving
We would be honored for you to talk to HighGround Advisors—confidentially and without any obligation—about ways to align your stewardship goals with the ongoing work of Shepherds’ Support
International.
