Cash Giving

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA'S)

Americans age 70½ and older may make direct transfers of up to $108,000 per year from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) to qualified charitable organizations through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

You must begin taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) in the year you turn 73, you may delay your first RMD until April 1 of the following year, but subsequent RMDs must be taken by December 31 each year.

Examples:

• If you turn 73 in 2025, your first RMD is due by April 1, 2026, and your second RMD must be taken by December 31, 2026.
• If you turn 73 in 2026, your first RMD is due by April 1, 2027, and your second RMD must be taken by December 31, 2027.

Using IRA Rollovers for Charitable Giving

QCDs can count toward your annual RMD and offer a tax-smart way to give:

• The donated amount is excluded from your taxable income.
• You do not receive a charitable deduction, since the funds have not been taxed.
• This strategy is especially helpful for donors who face income-based charitable deduction limits (typically 20–60% of adjusted gross income).

If you typically donate up to half of your adjusted gross income, a QCD allows you to give up to $108,000 more without affecting your income limits—and potentially avoid federal income tax on that portion of your IRA distribution.

How to Make an IRA Transfer to North Heights Lutheran Church

To qualify as a QCD:

• The gift must be made directly from your IRA administrator.
• The check should be made payable to North Heights Lutheran Church.
• Mail to:

North Heights Lutheran Church

1700 West Highway 96

Arden Hills, MN 55112

Ask your IRA administrator to include your name and gift designation in the accompanying documentation. You may make an unrestricted gift or designate it for a specific program or project authorized by the church. If designating a specific area, please include that information with your gift.

Donor Advised Funds

Offers donors simplicity, freedom, and tax benefits in managing charitable donations on behalf of an individual or family. It’s like your very own family foundation as you can determine how, when and where funds are distributed in a lump sum or over time. You receive an upfront tax deduction, no-cost setup, minimal paperwork, and minimal maintenance requirements. The donor Advised Fund is one of the fastest-growing charitable giving tools. 

Stock Securities

Gifts of long-term stock (stock owned for more than one year) and other securities are a popular way to give to North Heights Lutheran Church. Gifts of securities include publicly traded stocks, gifts of mutual funds, Treasury bills and notes, corporate and municipal bonds, and stock in non-publicly held companies. It’s extremely easy to give stocks and other securities that are marketable—that is, are sold to the public on stock exchanges or over-the-counter markets. No matter how large the donation, there is no need to obtain an appraisal. The value is simply based on what the stock or other security sell for on the exchange on the day of the donation (the average price between the highest and lowest quoted selling prices on the donation day is used). 

Instructions for Donating Stock.

The gifting of stock to your church can have unique requirements. For assistance please contact John Oldfield at 651-797-7801 or email at  .