Bequests
Leave a legacy for ministry.
A will is a means of planning for the protection of your family and the distribution of your assets according to your wishes. In addition, through your will you can express the important values of your life by distributing your assets in ways that provide ongoing support to those people and ministries most important to you.
A will is your direction, in writing that controls the disposition of your accumulated assets (real estate, personal belongings, investments, stock options, and other compensation payable on death). In addition to giving directions for the distribution of your assets, you can use your will to name guardians for your minor children; choose an executor; name an individual, bank, or trust to manage and invest your estate; create trusts for the ongoing support of your spouse, children, or other people and organizations important to you; and avoid misunderstandings among your heirs regarding your wishes.
A will as a witness
Through your will you can also provide lasting witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and ministries of this church that have been important to you during your life. Your will can be used to support any ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Also, many members have asked for copy of a Christian preamble to provide a last testament to their faith. The ELCA Foundation can provide you with a number of helpful tools (including a sample Christian preamble) that you and your attorney can use in making your estate plan.
Kalos: The ELCA Legacy Society
Kalos is a recognition society developed by the ELCA Foundation. Its purpose is to celebrate friends of the ELCA who have designated a gift in their wills or set up an endowment to support the church’s work.
In Mark 14:3-9, a woman from Bethany broke a jar of ointment to give Jesus a priceless gift. Jesus recognized the beauty in her gift and tells us that her story will be told for generations to come. The word, Kalos, originates from a Greek word meaning good, lovely and beautiful. | Learn more ».
Sample Bequest Language
A specific dollar amount
"the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a Minnesota nonprofit corporation, c/o The ELCA Foundation, located at 8765 West Higgins Road, Chicago, Illinois 60631, for the benefit of: [specific ministry]"
A percent of the estate's residual value
"the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a Minnesota nonprofit corporation, c/o The ELCA Foundation, located at 8765 West Higgins Road, Chicago, Illinois 60631, for the benefit of: [specific ministry]"
Here to help
Our nationwide network of
professional gift planning staff can help you explore a variety of possibilities for making a significant gift to ministry and fulfilling your legacy goals at the same time.
The examples and information on this page are for illustrative and educational purposes only and should not be considered tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax or legal advisor before proceeding with your estate plan.