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CSS is excited to work together with you to bring Planned Giving to your community. We’re pleased to provide this information for you to share with your donors, members and friends so that they will benefit from our services and so that your organization will benefit from their generosity. Feel free to copy, modify and use these Tidbits for your own Newsletters or weekly communications.
- Christian Stewardship Services is a charity that helps Christians with their stewardship responsibilities through professional, confidential counselling on estate & financial planning, planned giving and gift management. Call 1-800-267-8890 x217 or email info@csservices.ca for more information.
- Christian Stewardship Services representatives are able to meet with you without cost or obligation because all our annual operating costs are covered by contributions from more than 140 sponsoring organizations. Our representatives do not sell or advocate any insurance, investments or other professional services. All information received is held in strictest confidence. Our goal is simply to help you exercise Christian stewardship in a manner consistent with your individual needs. Call 1-800-267-8890 x217 or email info@csservices.ca for more information.
- What is Planned Giving? The term “planned giving” refers to charitable gifts that require some planning before they are made, often in connection with estate planning. Planned gifts are popular because they can provide valuable tax benefits and/or income for life. Whether a donor uses cash or other assets, such as real estate, RRSP’s or RRIF’s, securities or a life insurance policy, the benefits of funding a planned gift can make this type of charitable giving very attractive to both the donor and charity. Planned gifts may be structured to happen in the future as “deferred” gifts, or to happen now as “current” gifts. Call Christian Stewardship Services at 1-800-267-8890 x217 or email info@csservices.ca for more information.
- Did you know? You can receive approximately 46% savings on each dollar you give. The money you save on your tax bill from donation receipts is money you can give again! Call Christian Stewardship Services at 1-800-267-8890 or email admin@csservices.ca for more information.
- Planned Giving Options. Christian Stewardship Services helps clients arrange many different types of planned gifts to charity – Will bequests, charitable annuities, RRSP / RRIF beneficiary designations, securities gifts, deposit agreements, etc. These planned gifts maximize both tax and estate planning benefits. Call Christian Stewardship Services at 1-800-267-8890 or email admin@csservices.ca for more information.
- The Christian Stewardship Services Endowment Program. Most Christian organizations and charities depend on donations for their existence. Every donation is eagerly accepted and is quickly used to meet current needs. But how can donors give a gift that isn’t immediately absorbed into the budget? How can they give a gift that will last for years to come? Endowment gifts provide that opportunity. An endowment gift is a gift that is permanently invested, with only the income earned on that investment used by the charity each year. Call Christian Stewardship Services at 1-800-267-8890 or email admin@csservices.ca for more information.
- Faithful Stewards – Recognizing that everything God entrusts to us is His, we as stewards are charged with the responsibility of managing it in the Owner’s best interest. Therefore, Christian Stewardship Services promotes the concept of giving the “Firstfruits” back to Him during our life and at our death. CSS representatives advise people in the planning process to fulfill their wishes to be stewardly, looking after themselves and their children while furthering the work of God’s kingdom. Call 1-800-267-8890 or email admin@csservices.ca for more information.
January: The start of a new year always brings new ideas and passion to complete old projects. If you are reviewing your estate and realize you do not have a Will or it is not current, this is a perfect time to call Christian Stewardship Services. The Consultants are available for a free planning meeting to review your estate and share unbiased and professional advice to prepare documentation for your Will and Power of Attorney documentation. Contact Christian Stewardship Services at info@csservices.ca or1-800-267-8890 x213 to book an appointment today!
February: Gifts of chocolate or gifts of flowers! At Christian Stewardship Services making giving easy is what we are blessed to share. CSS has a great new tool MemberNET is our donor portal that provides you access to a no FEE online Giving Account. Easily direct your charitable giving to all your favourite charities while receiving one simple charitable receipt. Contact Christian Stewardship Services at info@csservices.ca or 1-800-267-8890 x213 to learn more today!
March: When did you last review your life insurance policy? Did you know that these are wonderful tools to use to benefit charity? It is simple to make a substantial gift by using the policy for your favorite charity while you leave other assets for family. Christian Stewardship Services is our partner and offers free services to explain the benefits of giving to the charity you are passionate about by using life insurance. Contact Christian Stewardship Services at info@csservices.ca or 1-800-267-8890 x213 to book an appointment today!
April: Do you have RRSP or RRIF’s? Consider gifting these assets directly to charity. Since Canadians now receive tax credits for charitable gifts of up to 100 percent of their income in the year of death it makes good sense to gift these assets directly to charity through a beneficiary designation. Christian Stewardship Services offers a Letter of Direction tool that can be used in conjunction with your Will. This Letter of Direction lists any Canadian charity and it is revocable at any time. Call us today to find out if this is the right tool for you. Contact Christian Stewardship Services at info@csservices.ca or 1-800-267-8890 x213 to book an appointment today!
May: Spring is in the air and graduation approaches for some! Are you passionate about helping young people with their education? Christian Stewardship Services is here to help you creatively design and orchestrate a scholarship at your Christian School. We will administer the funds based on your instruction, and this leaves you free to promote the scholarship. Ask us how! Contact Christian Stewardship Services at info@csservices.ca or 1-800-267-8890 x213 to book an appointment today!
June: No matter what your personal situation might be, everyone should have a Will in place. We help to make it easy. Our Consultants provide you a no-cost visit to review your estate and assist you in putting a Will in place that reflects your wishes for your family and for the charities you care about. Contact Christian Stewardship Services at info@csservices.ca or 1-800-267-8890 x213 to book an appointment today!
July: Long, warm, summer vacation days! We sometimes take a break from the things that need to be done and put it off so we can enjoy the Canadian seasons. While you relax, your estate still should be working for you. There are many current gifting options that Christian Stewardship Services has available for your portfolio. An endowment fund is an ongoing tool to support your favorite charity. You set the parameters for the interest and or capital to be used by the charity. It works so you don’t have to. Contact Christian Stewardship Services at info@csservices.ca or 1-800-267-8890 x213 to book an appointment today!
August: For many Canadians family vacation time is wrapping up. The summer heat is waning and a reminder to batten down the hatches for the upcoming winter season is on our mind. Do you know that a Family Donor Advised Fund can be set up using Christian Stewardship Services; similar to having your own foundation? We will manage this family gift fund for you. We are here to quietly work behind the scenes to support you. Contact Christian Stewardship Services at info@csservices.ca or 1-800-267-8890 x213 to book an appointment today!
September: A time when children and adults head back in the classroom to learn. Have you wondered who you could ask about your financial estate? Christian Stewardship Services offers unbiased and professional advice on tax smart programs to assist you with your estate review. There are multiple options for you to use not only for effective gifting today but also for the future to protect your family and support the charities that you want to support. Contact Christian Stewardship Services at info@csservices.ca or 1-800-267-8890 x213 to book an appointment today!
October: Is your Will and estate plan in place? Clients often remark how much better they feel when the documents are completed and tucked away. Reminds us of autumn as it approaches and the feeling of a cozy sweater wrapped around us during the cooler days. If your Will is not current or not in place, then simply call Christian Stewardship Services! Our services are free to you because of the partnership with our organizations. Contact Christian Stewardship Services at info@csservices.ca or 1-800-267-8890 x213 to book an appointment today!
November: Author Max Lucado says “It’s what we do for Christ in the HERE and NOW that will make a difference in the THEN and THERE.” Christian Stewardship Services sees tangible results daily as Christians give of their resources through the multiple gifting tools available. Blessings are shared to the churches, schools and charities and then throughout the world! We invite you to learn more with a free no cost visit from a CSS Consultant. Contact Christian Stewardship Services at info@csservices.ca or 1-800-267-8890 x213 to book an appointment today!
December: The GIFT was Jesus. The best gift we can give is our life back to GOD. What a privilege to give back everything to the One who has given everything for us. Whether it is trees, treasures, talents or time, it all is His. We are blessed to see Christians supporting others with their treasures through the charities they love. Let us share with you some ways to use your treasures effectively. Contact Christian Stewardship Services at info@csservices.ca or 1-800-267-8890 x213 to book an appointment today!
- Are you a “stigweard”? It is an Old English term for steward. Stig – meaning “house” and weard meaning “warden or keeper”. As a Christian we are automatically a “stigweard” or steward as we have been entrusted with this role. In I Corinthians 4:1-2 it tells us we are “entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” May we encourage you to be a faithful “stigweard” in all areas of your life.
- Legacy. What do you think of when you read this word? Is it a word that you would rather tuck away in the back recess of your mind to deal with later? A legacy is a wonderful word as it is a gift, a gift that is traditionally handed from one generation to the next. And it can safely be said that most like to receive a gift. Your legacy is not a word that we should tuck away, rather a word we should embrace because simply it is OUR choice as to how and who we leave OUR legacy to. It then is a privilege to plan ahead for the people and causes we care for and support today.
- FREE. The dictionary describes this word as an adjective “enjoying personal rights or freedom” but it is also described as a verb “to release, as from restrictions” and as an idiom “informal. without charge” We at CSS describe our service as all of the above. We want you to know you have “freedom” to choose how to use the gifts God has entrusted to you. We also want you to know that you can share these gifts anonymously or “without restrictions” to your favorite charities, churches and schools. And if we look at the word FREE as an idiom we can share that our service is Free to you.
- Author Max Lucado says “It’s what we do for Christ in the HERE and NOW that will make a difference in the THEN and THERE.” Christian Stewardship Services sees tangible results daily as Christians give of their resources thru the multiple options of giving offered by CSS. Blessings are shared all around from these gifts first to the churches, schools and charities and then we see them go out throughout the world.
- You can adopt a Child called Charity! This “Child” would receive an equal share from your Will similar to your other children. By adopting Charity as your child, you have the opportunity to share a portion of your estate with the charities you have supported throughout your lifetime. Everyone benefits as it dramatically reduces the tax burden on your estate, benefiting both your children and the charities you support. What a great way to have the “final say”.
- Whether your assets are $5000 or several million; whether you are 28 or 68, having a Will in place is important. Not only does it protect your dependents, it ensures your health-care directives are according to your wishes. We all own something and this is the last chance you have to decide where or how that “something” is used. Peace of mind is yours knowing that the document is in place and you can choose to bless charities you have supported during your life.
- Who decides your estate’s fate? YOU can if your Will is in place! It is simple….invite a Christian Stewardship Services Consultant to review your personal Estate Plan for a professional and unbiased visit. You will be guided thru the multiple options to care for your family and for the charities that you share with. When complete you simple take the document to your lawyer for preparation of your final Will and Power of Attorney document.
- Do you know where it is going?
If not, have your say by preparing your Will today. A Will is your personal instructions for the distribution of your belongings, the care of your children, and can be a testimony of your faith. You can do it, we can help! - Nothing is for granted! Every day and everything is a gift from God! You may think that today is just another ho-hum day but it is always part of the bigger picture of God’s plan for your life. He gives you the breath you breathe, the resources you use and the abilities to share. We in turn are called to follow His example and use those resources for His kingdom.
- You can have an income stream while supporting Kingdom work? You simply use the CSS Revocable Deposit Agreement. This fantastic tool earns a good rate of return for you, provides a share for your choice of charities while it is being used for Kingdom purposes. It is often referred to as a Christian GIC!
- A Charitable Gift Annuity provides an immediate tax receipt of a minimum of 20% and your selected charities receive a residual gift of approximately 50%. A perfect way to give and receive.
- Will: A legal document which names one or more persons to manage your personal estate and also provides for the distribution of all assets and property at the time of death. We all own assets, whether it is material possessions, insurance policies or bank accounts. Knowing your Estate documents are in place gives you peace of mind as you know your wishes will be followed after your passing. It also is much easier for the people who will need to take care of the details of your Estate.
- What happens if you die without a Will?
This is called dying “intestate” and the Provincial Government would then determine how your assets are distributed and also have influence on how your dependents are cared for. - What should be in a Will?
A Will is comprised of your personal instructions for the distribution of your belongings which include your land, money and household items. If you have dependent children it will include instructions for their care. Did you know that this is also a wonderful opportunity to bless the charities you have supported during your life time. It is a testimony of your faith. - When you should get a Will?
Simple answer is now! We all have something and it is our responsibility to take care of it. - How long does a Will last and can it be changed?
Your Will can be updated at any time and it should be kept up to date to reflect your situation. Life events such as a birth of a child, marriage or divorce, change of residence or if you have acquired property should be reflected in your Will. A Will does not expire, but can be amended anytime.