Most people give cash, even though the majority of their wealth is held in non-cash assets. If that’s the case for you, the good news is non-cash giving could help you give more to the causes you care about using the resources you already have. Here are a few ways it can work for you.
Using your business as an engine for generosity
The business God has blessed you with could be your most valuable financial asset for fueling generosity. Many Christian business owners are surprised to discover they can donate a portion of their privately held business.
Why it’s so powerful:
By gifting an interest in your business, you may receive a fair market value tax deduction, and the proceeds from the gifted portion flow to your fund for giving. This strategy has the potential to double your current cash giving as the tax savings from your non-cash donations free up additional funds for charity.
Can you imagine what a big difference that could make for the charities you support?
A real-life example:
Brothers Ed and Sam Chan wanted to build generosity into the foundation of their business. With NCF, they found a way to structure their company that allowed them to give more effectively. Discover how Ed and Sam Chan created a more generous business.
Transforming property into eternal purpose
The land or buildings God has allowed you to steward can become powerful resources for his purposes, especially during times when ministries face mounting needs alongside shrinking resources. That rental home, vacant land, or commercial property you have represents not just earthly value, but eternal potential.
Why it’s so powerful:
When you donate appreciated real estate, you may qualify for a tax deduction for the fair market value of the property. You may also reduce capital gains tax on the property’s appreciation when it is sold, meaning more is available for charity.
A real-life example:
Roy and Joyce Mullen discovered the impact of real estate giving when they donated the first apartment complex they ever owned. By giving the property before the sale, they significantly increased their charitable impact for their church and other charities when the property was eventually sold. See how Roy and Joyce Mullen used real estate to accelerate their giving.
Finding God’s provision in your portfolio
When markets seem chaotic, there may be an urge to pull back on giving. Yet your investment portfolio – despite market ups and downs – may contain hidden opportunities for you to bless others while stewarding what the Lord has entrusted to you.
Why it’s so powerful:
When you donate appreciated stocks or mutual funds you’ve owned for more than a year, you can potentially reduce taxes, which would otherwise diminish the donation’s value. Plus, you’ll likely also reduce capital gains tax on the appreciation, which means more resources flow directly to charities meeting critical needs.
A real-life example:
Financial advisor Ron Anderson discovered the power of stock giving when he wanted to support mission work in Stockholm. By donating appreciated securities instead of cash, he was able to give substantially more to minister to the Swedish people he has come to know and love. Read how Ron used stock giving to reach souls in Stockholm.
Walking with you in faith
For more than 40 years, NCF’s teams of charitable professionals have walked alongside faithful givers to make the most of their gifts. Since 1982, generous givers have used NCF to help facilitate more than 3,000 non-cash gifts worth more than $6 billion to charity. Through it all, we’ve witnessed the beautiful ways God works through his people, even in the most challenging circumstances.
Your decision to explore non-cash giving could be transformative, not only for your own stewardship journey but also for the your church or charities you love. By giving in these creative ways, you can help ensure God’s work continues and grows just when it’s needed most.
Contact your NCF team to explore the possibilities.
