Bequest Templates
Below is language you can use to make a bequest to support your congregation, LCEF, and other ministries. A bequest allows you to continue to use the property you will leave to ministry(ies) during your life and make a lasting impact on the Church after you are gone.
1. Specific Bequest
If you are considering making an outright bequest to Lutheran Church Extension Fund, we recommend the following language:
Bequest of a Specific Dollar Amount
I hereby give, devise and bequeath _________ and No/100 dollars ($DOLLARS) to Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod, a Missouri nonprofit organization located at 10733 Sunset Office Drive Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63127-1020, Federal Tax ID #_______________, for Lutheran Church Extension Fund's general use and purpose.
Bequest of Specific Personal Property
I hereby give, devise and bequeath DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod, a Missouri nonprofit organization located at 10733 Sunset Office Drive Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63127-1020, Federal Tax ID #_______________, for Lutheran Church Extension Fund's general use and purpose.
Bequest of Specific Real Estate
I hereby give, devise and bequeath all of the right, title and interest in and to the real estate located at ADDRESS OR DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod, a Missouri nonprofit organization located at 10733 Sunset Office Drive Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63127-1020, Federal Tax ID #_______________, for Lutheran Church Extension Fund's general use and purpose.
2. Percentage Bequest
If you are considering making a bequest of a percentage of your estate to Lutheran Church Extension Fund, we recommend the following language:
I hereby give, devise and bequeath ____ percent (___%) of my total estate, determined as of the date of my death, to Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod, a Missouri nonprofit organization located at 10733 Sunset Office Drive Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63127-1020, Federal Tax ID #_______________, for Lutheran Church Extension Fund's general use and purpose.
3. Residual Bequest
I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod, a Missouri nonprofit organization located at 10733 Sunset Office Drive Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63127-1020, Federal Tax ID #_______________, ALL OR A PERCENTAGE of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to be used for Lutheran Church Extension Fund's general use and purpose.
4. Contingent Bequest
If (primary beneficiary) does not survive me, then I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod, a Missouri nonprofit organization located at 10733 Sunset Office Drive Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63127-1020, Federal Tax ID #_______________, DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to be used for Lutheran Church Extension Fund's general use and purpose.
5. Restricted Bequests
If you are considering a bequest but would like to ensure that your bequest will be used for a specific purpose, please let us know. We would be happy to work with you and your attorney to help you identify ways to give and meet your charitable objectives. We will also work with you and your attorney to craft language to accomplish your goals.
If you are making a restricted bequest, we recommend that your attorney include the following provision to give Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod flexibility should it no longer be possible for Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod to use your gift as you originally intended:
If, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod, it shall become impossible for Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod to use this bequest to accomplish the specific purposes of this bequest, Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod may use the income and principal of this gift for such purpose or purposes as the Board determines is most closely related to the restricted purpose of my bequest.
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