Leave a lasting legacy that will contiue long after you have departed

Death is certain; make sure your desire to make a difference and to see the love of Christ shared throughout the world is not lost after your death.

For information on how to recognize Align Ministries in your will or trust:

Whether supported through an outright gift or planned gift, all of Align Ministries programs are made possible through the generosity and commitment of people like you. A planned gift to Align Ministries helps to ensure the future of the services and programs we provide will continue.

What are planned gifts?… Planned gifts include gifts through your will, charitable gift annuities, gifts of appreciated stock, and charitable remainder trusts.

How to include Align Ministries in my will

Make a charitable gift by naming Align Ministries as a beneficiary in your will. The federal government encourages these gifts or bequests by allowing an unlimited estate tax charitable deduction. Your attorney should, of course, be involved in planning your will.

The following is the correct language to use if it is your intent that your bequest benefits Align Ministries:

“I give, devise, and bequeath to Align Ministries located at 27562 Sweetbrier Lane, Mission Viejo, California, 92691 the sum of __________ dollars.” (Or designate the percentage of the estate or otherwise describe the gift.)

How to leave gifts of stock to Align Ministries

Thank you for your interest in and generous support of Align Ministries. A gift of appreciated securities that have been held for more than one year can offer significant tax advantages and is a valuable way to make a contribution to Align Ministries, a charitable organization. Giving such securities is simple, but you should always consult your tax advisor before doing so.

Electronic delivery of stock shares is the most secure and expedient delivery process available and provides efficient internal control as well as cost savings. If you hold the certificates, or if your stock is registered with the company, you may transfer your certificates directly to the Align Ministries. To help you facilitate a gift of stock, please use the following instructions.

Notification of Donor Intent
In order for the Align Ministries to properly credit and acknowledge gifts of stock, we need the following information, regardless of the method chosen to deliver your gift of stock:

• Donor’s name and complete address (if it is to be anonymous, please indicate)
• Name and number of securities transferred
• Specific the Align Ministries program to which gift should be directed, if any, or specify to be used in the area of greatest need.

To communicate the above information at the time of transfer, please contact us at 1-949-215-7516 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Charitable Remainder Trust

One way to make a gift of your retirement plan is to create a charitable remainder trust through your will or living trust. It works like this: Your IRA assets will be transferred to a charitable remainder trust. There is no tax due because the charitable remainder trust is a tax-exempt entity. The trust will provide life income to the beneficiary (for example, your child) with an eventual gift to the Align Ministries. The beneficiary will pay income tax on the distributions from the trust. Your estate will receive an estate tax charitable deduction for the value of Align Ministries’ right to eventually receive the trust assets.

When you create a charitable remainder trust, you irrevocably transfer money, securities or other assets to a trust that will then pay you an income for life or for a period of years. If you wish, the trust also can pay an income to another beneficiary of your choice, including Align Ministries. At the death of the surviving beneficiary, the remaining principal in the trust goes to Align Ministries.

You can design your trust to fit your own special needs. First, you decide how much you would like to put into the trust. Second, you determine the income you would like to receive from the donated assets. The rate of income return you select must be at least 5 percent. Usually, the rate selected is 5 percent to 7 percent. The best rate for you will depend upon the number of beneficiaries you select and their ages. Third, you decide which type of charitable remainder trust will work best for you.

Choosing a charitable remainder trust is a little like shopping for a new car-the right one depends on your personal needs. Charitable Remainder Trust’s come in five variations. We recommend you always consult your tax advisor, professional financial advisor or tax attorney before you decide the method that will work best for you.

Annuity trust: Pays you a fixed dollar amount.

Standard unitrust: Pays you an amount equal to a fixed percentage of the net fair market value of the trust assets as recalculated yearly.

Net income with makeup unitrust: The trust pays the lesser of the fixed percentage specified by the trust agreement or the actual trust income. Such trusts provide that in any year the trust income exceeds the fixed percentage payout, the excess must be used to make up any prior deficiencies. It offers great flexibility in retirement planning, because income can effectively be deferred until later years.

Net income with no makeup unitrust: Pays you the trust’s actual income or a fixed percentage of market value (as recalculated yearly), whichever is less. Deficiencies are not made up. This type is used by donors who want to maximize the benefits to the charitable organization.

Flip unitrust: Set up as either of the last two types, this trust converts to a standard unitrust on a triggering event, such as the sale of an “unmarketable” asset used to fund the trust.

Which Is Better: Annuity Trust or Unitrust?
Whether you choose an annuity trust or a unitrust depends primarily on your economic outlook. With an annuity trust, you receive the same fixed amount each year that you chose at the beginning. This is advantageous when you want to be certain of the dollars you’ll receive. If you’re concerned about the possibility of recessionary times and falling market values, the annuity trust has greater appeal. Although you can’t add to this annuity trust later in order to increase your income, you can always create a new trust for that purpose.

In comparison, a unitrust may be a hedge against inflation. If you foresee economic growth resulting in appreciation of the trust’s assets, you’ll favor a unitrust. The valuation can rise or fall, but over time a well-managed unitrust may offer better protection of your purchasing power than fixed dollar payments. A further advantage is that if you want to enlarge the trust later, you can make additional contributions without the cost of creating and administering more than one trust. 

Gift Annuities

Gift Annuities—When you give a gift annuity, you transfer a specified amount of cash or stocks to Align Ministries. In exchange, you receive a guaranteed fixed regular payment for your life and/or that of your spouse or beneficiary (the older the beneficiaries, the higher the rate). In addition, you can take a sizable charitable deduction.

Living trusts

How to include the Align Ministries in your trust:
To include a gift to Align Ministries in your trust, simply designate a specific amount or percentage to “Align Ministries” A California Non Profit Corporation, 25762 Sweetbrier Lane, Mission Viejo, CA 92691.

What is a Living Trust? A Living Trust is an asset management plan established during your lifetime. Just like a will, a Living Trust contains your instructions for what you want to happen to your assets when you die. But, unlike a will, a Living Trust avoids the probate court process. This can result in savings of time and expense to your heirs. Because there are many complicated issues involved in establishing a Living Trust, you should consult an attorney experienced in estate planning in your state of residence to draft your Living Trust.

Who should have a Living Trust? Age, marital status and level of wealth do not really matter. If you own titled assets and want your loved ones to avoid court interference at your death or incapacity, consider a Living Trust.

A Partial List of Benefits of a Living Trust

• Avoids probate at death, including multiple probates if you own property in other states
• Prevents court control of assets at incapacity
• Brings all your assets together under one plan
• Provides maximum privacy
• Quicker distribution of assets to beneficiaries
• Assets can remain in trust until you want beneficiaries to inherit
• Relatively easy to set up and maintain
• Can be changed or canceled at any time
• Difficult to contest
• Prevents probate court control of minors’ inheritances
• Can protect dependents with special needs

We recommend you talk with your attorney, accountant, financial planner and/or tax adviser before you make any decisions.

Thank you for considering leaving a lasting legacy that will continue God’s work long after you have departed. Align Ministries will be diligent is using your donated funds as you intend them to be used, to further the Kingdom and to share Christ’s love to the ends of the earth until He returns.