Back to basics with giving

by Nathan Hansen

Six months ago, I stepped into a new role at NCF Heartland to help givers reach their charitable goals. At the time, I wasn’t quite sure what it would entail, but I’ve since noticed that many of the people I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with have similar questions: They want to be generous but don’t always know where to start or what opportunities are available to them.

One of my biggest takeaways has been that there are so many tools and strategies available to help people give more effectively, but many givers aren’t aware of them. If that sounds familiar, here are three things I’ve found valuable in helping people explore new possibilities for their giving.

1. Open a Giving Fund

By far, the most useful tool I’ve seen has been the donor-advised fund, or Giving Fund at NCF. It’s a charitable giving account that equips you to manage your giving in one place with efficiency, flexibility, and thoughtful planning. You contribute to the fund and may receive tax benefits for your gift. Then, you recommend grants to charities over time.

What makes NCF unique is our shared biblical values and commitment to faith-aligned giving and investing. You can choose investment options designed to support your giving goals, with the potential to grow your fund balance for greater impact. And you can rest assured that the charities you support have been carefully evaluated through the lens of a Christian perspective.

A Giving Fund can simplify your giving and reporting, help you give more strategically, and make it easy to recommend grants to your favorite charities through one convenient online platform.

Whether you’re just beginning your giving journey or looking for a more strategic approach, it can be a great place to start.

Open a Giving Fund or learn more about how it works.

2. Give assets

In meetings with business owners, many have been surprised to learn that they can give away a portion of their business for charitable purposes. For those who have spent years building a successful business, this can open the door to an entirely new way of thinking about generosity.

And it’s not just business interests. You can also give beyond cash with assets like appreciated stock, real estate, and other investments. In certain situations, giving these assets directly rather than selling them and donating the proceeds can offer significant tax advantages, allowing more resources to go toward the causes you care about.

NCF can create a personalized gift illustration showing the potential impact of giving a complex asset. I’ve found that seeing the numbers side by side can be eye-opening for people who have never considered giving beyond cash.

Explore asset giving and request a personalized gift illustration.

3. Participate in our community of givers

Many people I’ve talked to feel alone in their generosity. They may desire to give more intentionally but don’t have a community of people they can explore these questions and opportunities with.

NCF Heartland offers gatherings to connect with like-minded givers who share a desire to steward their resources faithfully. Our team serves communities across the Heartland, with team members in Kansas City, Fayetteville, and Columbia. As our team grows, so do the opportunities to connect and learn from one another.

One exciting development is the launch of an Ambassadors Club chapter in St. Louis, offering a connection point for Next Gen givers. Through this community, young professionals can build relationships, pool their resources for greater impact, and explore what it looks like to practice generosity together.

Learn more about Ambassadors Club or explore upcoming NCF Heartland events.

One of the most encouraging things I’ve experienced in this role is seeing how deeply committed so many givers are to following God’s call to be generous, just as He was first generous with us. It’s a privilege to hear their stories, learn what matters to them, and see their desire to be faithful with what God has entrusted to them.

My goal, and the goal of our NCF Heartland team, is to come alongside you with the tools, strategies, and relationships that can help you respond to God’s call to generosity. Whether you’re exploring generosity for the first time or looking for new ways to make an impact, we’d welcome the opportunity to help you take your next step.

Connect with Nathan Hansen at nhansen@ncfgiving.comopens in a new tab.