THREE YEAR-END QUESTIONS As you tidy up your financial affairs for 1999, you will likely be thinking about your charitable giving goals and aspirations. Here are a few questions to help you plan.
3. Do I have appreciated stock or real estate I could use to fund an income-for-life gift arrangement?
You may find yow13elf in a situation where you want to give more to the Masonic Charities of the Grand Lodge but cannot afford to decrease your annual income. Consider our gift annuity program. You can obtain one of these with a gift of stock and in many cases receive more income than you are currently receiving from tl1e stock. Your annuity payments from The Masonic Chruities Fwld would continue for the rest of your life.
1. Am I able to make a charitable gift to the Masonic Charities of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1999, on the doorstep of a new millennium? As the year closes, you will likely receive mail from vruious charities requesting your financial assistance. The close of the millennium may bring even more appeals. During this peliod, we hope you will remember the Masonic Chruities and our ongoing financial needs. We are eager to conclude this year in good financial shape so we cru1 confidently face the opportunities and challenges of the future. Your special yearend gift will strengthen us considerably.
A gift may be unrestricted, to be used where most needed. Or, it could be earmru·ked for a specific purpose. For example, you could designate your gift for capital expenses, such as new construction or remodeling projects. You also could establish an endowment fund to create a legacy or to honor someone you admire. 2. What are my tax obligations for 1999?
Many taxpayers consult with their accountants before the end of the year to determine tax liability. Perhaps you've done that already or maybe you simply have a good idea where you stand. In any case, we encourage you to take advantage of the tax benefits offered by the government. The income tax charitable deduction can allow you to give more than you might otherwise be able to give.
For exan1ple, a 75-year-old person cunently qualifies for a gift annuity rate of 8.2 percent. A gift of $25,000 would "yield" quarterly payments of $512.50 for the rest of his or her life and for income tax itemizers, there is a charitable tax deduction of $10,817.
Start Now Perhaps the most important tlling about year-end giving is to strut early, especially if you ru·e planning to use stock or real estate. Life-income gift ruTangements and consultations with your professional advisor(s) also take time. The sooner you begin tl1e process, the less hurried you will feel. To help you to prepru·e further for a yeru--end gift, we want to send you a free brochure. Use the handy coupon below, or call the Development Office at 1-800599-6454. We ru·e available to assist you on a complimentary basis.
AI:e your taxes likely to be high tllis year? Then it may be a
r------------------------------------------,
good time to increase your giving. You might even consider moving forward some of next year's giving into 1999 so you can utilize fue tax benefits this year.
0 Please send me the free brochures about gifts of stocks
{Complete and return this coupon/
and real estate.
0 I am i:rterested in obtaining a Masonic Charities gift annuity. 0 Please send me infonnation about remembering the Masonic THE GRAND LODGE F.&A.M. OF PENNSYLVANIA Masonic Homes One Masonic Drive Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2 199
Charities in my will.
PERJODICALS POSTAGE PAID at Elizabethtown, PA and
0 Please contact me by phone. The best time to reach me is;
Additional Mailing Offices
0 Please send me the free Personal Financial Affairs Record. Name
Address Service Requested Address
City
State, Zip Phone
PLACE THE COMPL£TED FORM IN AN ENVELOPE AND MAIL TO:
Fred D. Rissinger, Director of Development or John McFadden, Planned Giving Officer
I
Masonic Charities Fund One Masonic Drive Elizabethtown, PA 17022
L------------------------------------------
VOLUME XLVI
Achieving Together Grand Master's Message page 2