When it comes to Christian giving, many generous people overlook a powerful strategy – non-cash giving, particularly of real estate. While writing checks is a common method for funding or replenishing your Giving Fund, this strategy uses your real property to significantly amplify your charitable impact.
If you have real estate assets, this approach can maximize your giving and offer significant benefits that can be a strategic method for more mission. Here are some examples of NCF givers who were able to use this strategy to give more than they ever dreamed.
An apartment complex becomes a special offering
Roy Mullen is a man who’s not afraid to take a risk – in the real estate business or in generosity. Along with his wife Joyce, he embarked on a business journey of investing in apartment complexes and a generosity journey of giving away one percent more of their gross income every year.
When it came time to sell two of their apartment complexes, Roy connected with his NCF team in Portland. They helped him develop a wise strategy to donate another piece of investment property – the very first complex they’d ever purchased.
Their non-cash gift provided a significant tax deduction, allowing them to pay less in taxes and give more to the causes they care about. “We ended up donating our first fruits back to God’s kingdom,” Joyce says. “That’s truly a God thing.” Watch the Mullens’ story.
An investment property pays off for the hungry
Eric Sheldahl has pursued many interests in his life, from real-estate investing to building jet-powered vehicles. But even those were not as fulfilling as the investment of time and talent he and his wife, Mary, have made in their local Midwest Food Bank.
To increase their support for the charity’s work to alleviate hunger in their community, they connected with their NCF team who helped them explore the wisest way to give. Eric owned an investment property that had significantly appreciated since he purchased it. Instead of selling the property and then donating the proceeds, NCF helped them find a more tax-efficient way to give. Once the property was sold, the Sheldahl’s had more for granting to causes they cared about – particularly the food bank.
Eric and Mary are thrilled to continue to support an effort they see God’s hand in every day. “Our business partner is the Lord,” Eric says. Read the Sheldahls’ full story.
A rental property funds hope
Inspired by mission trips to Haiti, Stephanie and Andrew Cantrell made a significant commitment to a charity that had captured their hearts. The number they both felt called to give took a lot of faith, and they weren’t sure how they could fulfill their commitment. But they trusted God for the answer.
Soon after, the charity’s leaders introduced them Ryan Assunto in NCF’s Austin office. That’s how they learned about the power of giving real estate. The Cantrells decided to donate a single-family home they had been renting out for extra income. Even though this property was their retirement backup plan, they trusted the Lord was leading them and gifted the property.
After the property was sold and the proceeds were in their Giving Fund, their gift not only helped them meet their commitment but also left additional funds for future giving. Now, there’s a new soccer field and a multipurpose building in Haiti that their family will always be a part of because they chose to step out in faith, giving generously when God prompted. Read the Cantrells’ full story.
Are you feeling called to give your real estate?
Like these givers, you may discover that donating real estate can help you maximize your generosity far beyond what you think is possible. Whether it’s a first investment property, long-held real estate, or other asset, non-cash gifts can become powerful tools for helping you advance God’s work.
Learn more about the benefits of using your real estate to fund charity.
