Thank you for your interest in Legacy Giving at Alpharetta Methodist! There are two primary ways to leave a Legacy Gift for the church:
1. You can update your will and/or trust to include Alpharetta Methodist Church.
2. You can name Alpharetta Methodist as a beneficiary of any of the following assets:
• Retirement accounts, such as IRA, 401(k) or 403(b)
• Donor Advised Funds
• Life insurance policies
• Commercial annuities
• Investments and savings accounts
“Planned giving” or “Legacy Giving” means mapping out a plan for making gifts to your church. Many individuals consider the planned giving of Legacy Gifts when they decide how to transfer their estates to the places and people whom they want to benefit from a lifetime of hard work. In addition to fulfilling their charitable goals and acknowledging (financially and spiritually) their gratefulness to God, donors may receive tax benefits and lifetime incomes through several types of tax-favored plans. Planned giving of Legacy Gifts takes many forms and is tailored to meet the needs and goals of the donor.
Your annual gifts to the church help fund the budget, allowing the church to provide ministry each year. Legacy Gifts can be given to the Alpharetta Methodist Endowment Fund or given as a gift that is not endowed. Here is the difference:
In consultation with church staff, the Finance Committee is responsible for administering distributions from the fund. Distributions of income from the designated endowments will be made according to the instructions specified by the donor.
Unless designated by the donor, the Finance Committee decides how the gift will be used. The donor may designate the non-endowed Legacy Gift for uses such as General Fund for operations, Missions, Debt Reduction for reduction of the debt principal, Trustees Reserve Fund for building/grounds, etc.
YES! Without a will, the laws of the state will determine who will receive your assets and who will manage your estate. A will allows you to appoint a guardian for your minor children, choose a representative to carry out your wishes, and determine the final distribution of your estate assets. Giving through a will and through beneficiary designations are some of the simplest ways to make a planned gift.
A will is extremely important and necessary to provide for your loved ones and loved causes. If you already have an up-to-date will or trust and do not wish to change it, you can include Alpharetta Methodist in your planned giving Legacy Gift simply by adding the church as a beneficiary to any of
your accounts.
The Vision of the Legacy Committee is to inspire and empower Christ followers to build a legacy that ensures the continuity of His work on earth for future generations. The Mission is to guide and equip individuals and families to leave a legacy of faith and generosity by providing planning, education, and mentorship resources. Please reach out to Executive Pastor, Chris Day – cday@amchurch.com, if you have any questions or would like to get involved.