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Join Us at the National Sales Meeting

Over the next 3 years, 20% of high net worth families will consider creating a donor advised fund and most will rely on their financial advisors for help. Join us at the Thrivent National Sales Meeting in Minneapolis on November 9 and 10 to learn best practices and effective techniques for building your charitable business.
posted by webmaster on Wed, 2009-09-09 15:49
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Quick Rates for Gift Annuities and Trusts

If you’re with a client, get a quick estimate of tax benefits for a gift annuity or charitable remainder trust online with Gift Calculator. You can run any number of scenarios based on the type of gift, gift amount, payout rate and age of the income recipient.
posted by webmaster on Thu, 2009-07-23 14:47
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Charitable Giving in Down Times

Despite the recession, people are giving and giving generously. In this article, financial writer and gift planning specialist Jim Grote explores the types of gifts that are being made in today's environment.
posted by webmaster on Thu, 2009-06-25 08:50
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FRs Are VIPs

Thanks to the efforts of Thrivent Financial’s field force, 3,000+ individuals and families have incorporated charitable giving into their financial programs.

View names of Thrivent FRs recognized in LCF Voices in Philanthropy program.

posted by webmaster on Thu, 2009-03-19 17:34
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Wondering About Options for Cash?

With the continuing turmoil in the markets, many of your clients may be wondering about ways they can put cash to use.  For those members who are charitably minded, now might be the time to consider using some of that cash to Give and Receive Income at the Same Time, with a charitable gift annuity through the Lutheran Community Foundation.
posted by webmaster on Thu, 2009-04-23 16:48
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Affordable Ways to Give

How can your clients give back at a time when the economy is so volatile? These five simple, affordable ways to give provide tax benefits to the client—while living, upon death, or both.
posted by webmaster on Tue, 2009-03-24 11:24
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Generational Wealth Transfer

Even in light of today's economy, $41 trillion is still expected to transfer between generations over the next 50 years.  At least $6 trillion is expected to benefit charities through bequests, outright donations and other methods.  You can learn about related charitable opportunities in "Assets you can Give".
posted by webmaster on Thu, 2009-04-23 17:17
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New Gift Annuity Option Provides More Flexibility

Most charities are familiar with immediate and deferred charitable gift annuities, but fewer are familiar with flexible-deferred or "super" flexible-deferred gift annuities.
posted by webmaster on Tue, 2009-04-21 16:53
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High Net Worth Individuals on Charitable Giving

The 2008 Bank of America Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy offers new insights into the philanthropy of wealthy donors, and its significance for their advisors.
posted by webmaster on Wed, 2009-05-20 10:30
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Secret Giver Discovered

A recent national study revealed surprising results about who's naming charities in their wills.  The LCF can help with sample language for wills, fund options and other considerations.
posted by webmaster on Thu, 2009-04-23 16:53
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Charitable Giving Remains Strong

While U.S household net worth decreased
nearly 18% in 2008, individual giving
decreased only 6.3%, bucking the general
recessionary trend. Giving to religious organizations was equally impressive and increased by 5.5%.
What does this mean for you? Keep introducing charitable solutions to your clients!
posted by webmaster on Thu, 2009-07-23 13:49
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IRA Rollover Included in October Bailout Package

As part of the recent bailout package, the IRA Rollover from the 2006 Pension Protection act was extended through the end of 2009.  Under the new law, an owner of a traditional or Roth IRA may distribute up to $100,000 a year to a public charity without the distribution being included in the taxtable income.  
Find out which of your clients might benefit from this provision, and how donors can give through LCF.
posted by webmaster on Thu, 2009-03-19 17:32
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More FieldNews Stories

Winter 2008 - Engage Clients with Gift Story - Personal Charitable Training - Options for Early Retirement Income

Autumn 2007 - New Charitable Training Seminars - LCF Investment Portfolio Realigned

Spring 2007 - Donor Advised Funds Grow in Popularity - Flexible Deferred Charitable Gift Annuities

Autumn 2006 -  New Online Tools - IRA Charitable Rollover 

posted by webmaster on Thu, 2009-05-21 16:48
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Best Practices for Building Your Charitable Business

On Tuesday, November 10, join us to learn more
about best practices and other important topics that show how giving is good for business!
posted by webmaster on Wed, 2009-09-09 16:01
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Effective Planning for High Net Worth Clients

On Monday, November 9, we’ll be sharing ways you can build your business.  Can’t make it to the National Sales Meeting? Call an LCF Gift Planner at any time (800-365-4172) for more information on these opportunities.
posted by webmaster on Wed, 2009-09-09 15:56
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Getting Clients to Focus on Philanthropic Goals

Thinking strategically about philanthropy helps wealthy clients see the big picture and forge stronger bonds with their adviser.  This five-step checklist from Forbes.com can help guide conversations with clients about their philanthropic efforts and engage them in a plan to achieve their goals.
posted by webmaster on Tue, 2009-09-22 15:27
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Jump in IRS Discount Rate = Bigger Tax Deduction

The July and August 2009 IRS discount rate jumped to 3.4% from June's rate of 2.8%.  Six-tenths of one percent may not seem like much, but it can mean a big difference in the deduction for a charitable gift annuity.
posted by webmaster on Thu, 2009-07-23 14:04
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LCF Visibility Creates Opportunities for Thrivent FRs

The Lutheran Community Foundation (LCF) is being featured in several publications next month, including a full-page advertisement in the January issue of Thrivent Magazine.  The ad highlights the LCF's sound stewardship of donors gifts and personal approach to "Your Values. Your Unique Giving." It also encourages readers to contact a Thrivent Financial representative to explore charitable options. (Click here to see a PDF)

posted by webmaster on Fri, 2009-12-11 16:29
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New Resources to Promote Charitable Giving

A few new items to help you promote charitable giving through the LCF:

  1. LCF: Charitable Giving - Promotes the role of Thrivent FRs in charitable planning
  2. LCF: Give and Receive - Promotes gifts that provide clients with lifetime income.
  3. LCF: Leveraging Annuities with Life Insurance - For clients who own a commercial annuity with gains, who may benefit by converting it to life insurance for heirs and charity.
posted by webmaster on Tue, 2010-02-02 15:01
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Voices In Philanthropy Awards - 2009

Lutheran Community Foundation is honoring Thrivent Financial Representatives with its 2009 LCF Voice in Philanthropy (VIP) awards. The award recognizes 21 FRs from across the country who have leveraged charitable planning as a significant part of their work. LCF also presents the LCF-VIP Hall of Fame, for FR's who have reached a career level of at least $5,000,000 in gifts.
posted by webmaster on Thu, 2010-02-25 11:46
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News: Roth IRA Conversion and Charitable Giving

Charitably-minded clients who are converting to Roth IRAs in 2010 may seek tax savings as part of the conversion.  Recent articles in the New York Times and Chronicle of Philanthropy point out how donors can benefit from creating a charitable gift annuity when shifting money from a traditional IRA into a Roth.
posted by webmaster on Fri, 2010-02-26 15:49
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How to Start A Charitable Giving Conversation

Sample questions and online resources to help you start the charitable giving conversation.
posted by webmaster on Tue, 2010-02-02 12:06
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Gift Annuity Rates on the Rise

As a special incentive to professional advisors and their clients, the LCF is increasing its charitable gift annuity rate beginning June 1, 2010 – one month earlier than most charities that follow rates prescribed by the American Council on Gift Annuities.

A charitable gift annuity allows a donor to make a charitable gift and receive payments for life backed by the LCF.

posted by webmaster on Mon, 2010-05-17 16:13
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Use Member Profile to Ask about Giving

While many ‘planned gifts' are carefully strategized and orchestrated, the impetus for making a gift is frequently as simple as:

  1. Someone was asked about giving.
  2. The charity matched the donor's specific interests.
  3. It was the right time to give.
posted by webmaster on Thu, 2010-05-27 09:42
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Recently Updated Materials to Promote LCF

You can order these materials online, or call us at 1-800-365-4172.

posted by webmaster on Thu, 2010-05-27 10:43
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LCF: A Proven Steward for Donor Gifts

LCF's commitment to long-term investment strategies, rigorous monitoring and rebalancing of assets resulted in the LCF once again outperforming comparable investment portfolios as of 3/31/10.

Related:

posted by webmaster on Thu, 2010-05-27 10:13
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Video: Roth Conversion - Charitable Opportunity

Charitable giving can be used to offset an increased tax bill while supporting your client's favorite charities. For tips on charitable giving and Roth Conversions from LCF gift planners, watch the video!
posted by webmaster on Wed, 2010-01-20 16:20
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Life Insurance as a Charitable Gift

Did you know that charitable life insurance makes up 25% of all gifts to the LCF? Charitable life insurance offers a great solution for a number of reasons: affordability, deductible payments and benefit multiple charities.
posted by webmaster on Fri, 2010-08-27 16:10
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LCF Endowments: A Solution for All Lutheran Congregations

Current economic times are demonstrating the importance of endowments for many Lutheran congregations. A means of ensuring financial security, plus the increasing number of congregations becoming independent or changing synod affiliations, has led to a near 50% increase in the rate of new endowments at the LCF in 2010.
posted by webmaster on Fri, 2010-08-27 13:19
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Look for LCF at Thrivent National Sales Meeting

Join us at Thrivent’s National Sales Meeting on November 7-10 to learn more about charitable solutions for every life stage and building a successful endowment. You can register for LCF Breakout sessions, and visit with LCF staff at our Resource Fair booth.
posted by webmaster on Fri, 2010-08-27 13:32
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Tis the Season for Year-end Giving

Are your clients considering a year-end charitable gift? Be sure to get them made in time for a 2010 charitable income tax deduction. Here are some timing guidelines for 2010 deductibility.
posted by webmaster on Mon, 2010-12-06 18:17
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Charitable Solutions for Every Life Stage

What’s the best giving option for your client? The LCF has created "Navigate Your Charitable Markets: Solutions for Every Life Stage" to help you prepare suitable recommendations for your clients.
posted by webmaster on Tue, 2010-12-07 16:33
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Charitable Giving & Stretch IRAs

It used to be that naming a charity as partial beneficiary of a traditional IRA meant that remaining beneficiaries (like the donors’ children) could not stretch the IRA. This changed due to a law change back in 2001.
posted by webmaster on Tue, 2010-12-07 15:47
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Did You Know?

Since the LCF opened its doors 15 years ago, more than 1,000 FRs have partnered with us to create charitable solutions for their clients. Because of this commitment to charitable giving, outright and deferred gifts to the LCF have grown to more than $680 million. More importantly, your clients have experienced the joy of giving and making their charitable goals a reality. Maybe this is the time to realize your own charitable vision – contact us if we can be of service to you.
posted by webmaster on Fri, 2010-08-27 16:14
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Giving Appreciated Securities

With the S&P 500 up 80% from its 2009 low, appreciated securities can be a good charitable gift option.  Clients can usually deduct the securities' full market value, avoiding both federal and state capital gains tax.
posted by webmaster on Mon, 2011-04-04 16:30
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Voices In Philanthropy Awards 2010

Lutheran Community Foundation is honoring Thrivent Financial Representatives with its 2010 LCF Voice in Philanthropy (VIP) awards, and LCF-VIP Hall of Honor.
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IRA Charitable Rollover Extended through 2011

New tax legislation signed into law December 17 contains some incentives for charitable giving. The IRA charitable rollover provision was extended through December 31, 2011, providing that an owner of a traditional or Roth IRA may distribute to a public charity, up to $100,000 a year without the distribution being included in taxable income, and the distribution will count toward the donor's mandatory withdrawal amount.
posted by webmaster on Mon, 2010-12-20 12:59
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Thrivent Financial Insights - Fall 2011

This article about the LCF appears in the next issue of Financial Insights (FI), which mails August 18, 2011. It's called "The Lutheran Community Foundation - Creating Charitable Solutions with Flexibility."
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Gift Annuity Rate Change

New rates will be in place for charitable gift annuities July 1, 2011.  These new rates include slightly lower rates for some age groups and slightly higher rates for others. 
posted by webmaster on Fri, 2011-06-03 16:16
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Conference Call on Investments - Recording

On this conference call, LCF's investment advisor Cambridge Associates answered donor questions, described the LCF portfolio performance in the current economy, and introduced the new LCF Mission Portfolio. Listen to a recording of the call.
posted by webmaster on Fri, 2011-06-03 14:23
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Achieve Charitable Goals with Beneficiary Proceeds

This summer’s Meaningful Contact Initiative offers a great opportunity to help clients achieve important charitable goals through a simple beneficiary designation. What are the benefits to naming the LCF as beneficiary?
posted by webmaster on Fri, 2011-06-03 13:54
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LCF Article Appearing in Financial Insights (FI)

This article about the LCF appears in the next issue of Financial Insights (FI), which mails August 18, 2011. The article points out ways in which the LCF and Thrivent FRs have helped thousands of Thrivent members to accomplish their charitable goals.
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Who is Your Charitable Audience?

Looking for ideas on how to identify specific audiences for giving options available via the LCF? The LCF recently completed a full review of its donor database to identify demographic trends.
posted by webmaster on Tue, 2011-04-05 15:03
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