How to Give

Your financial gift can help grow God's Church in Central America in a powerful way. And there are a variety of ways to give:

Regular Giving Options

1. Write a personal check made out to CALMS and send it to:

         CALMS
         18220 Upper Bay Rd.
         Houston, TX  77058

2. Enroll in Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' "Simply Giving" program - an automated giving program designed to help you conveniently and consistently contribute to our CALMS ministry. Your gifts are made through a pre-authorized withdrawal from your bank account and automatically deposited in CALMS' account. You determine the frequency of your gift and the amount. For more information, email us at calms@calms.org or visit the Thrivent Financial website.
3. If you are a Thrivent member, use Thrivent's "Giving Plus" program to maximize your gifts to CALMS. Thrivent will give CALMS $1.00 for every $2.00 you give, up to a maximum of $300. Please see Thrivent's "Giving Plus" form at: http://www.thrivent.com/fraternal/churchcommunity/givingplus.html

*You can give on line through PayPal by clicking on the donate button on our website. This is a convenient way to give and it is totally secure.

Planned Giving Options

1. Create a bequest by including a gift to CALMS in your Will or Trust document. Upon your death, your estate may receive an estate tax charitable deduction for the value of the bequest. Information on how to do this is available from the Lutheran Foundation of Texas. The Lutheran Foundation of Texas is a supportive ministry of the Texas District - Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and assists individual members in sharing God's blessings through planned giving. You can also contact them directly at 1-800-880-3733 or via e-mail at johnh@lfot.org
2. Designate CALMS as a beneficiary of your life insurance, annuity, trust, IRA or other legal contract. Again, your estate may receive an estate tax charitable deduction for the value of the assets transferred to CALMS after you die.
3. Purchase and gift a new or existing life insurance contract to CALMS. The contract's value and premiums, gifted to CALMS, may qualify you for an income tax deduction. Upon your death, the insurance proceeds are given to CALMS.
4. Transfer your ownership of an investment (i.e. land, mutual fund, stock, etc.) to CALMS. Generally, you can receive a charitable income tax deduction for the gift you've made while you're living if you itemize deductions on your income tax return. You may be able to reduce or eliminate significant capital gains and estate taxation through this type of gift as well.
5. Give a gift annuity to CALMS. You can transfer money or property to CALMS in exchange for a fixed income for your and/or a survivor's lifetime. Generally, you can receive a charitable income tax deduction for the difference between the market value of your gift and the value of the retained annuity.
6. Give an IRA gift to CALMS. With preplanning, funds in a traditional IRA can be given to CALMS at your death. Because these funds are transferred after death, they exempt from income taxes due on any remaining funds. And, your estate can generally receive a charitable estate tax deduction as well.
7. Give money or property to CALMS through an Irrevocable Charitable Remainder Trust in exchange for an income during your life and/or the life of your survivor. After your death, any remaining value in the charitable remainder trust passes directly to CALMS. You may defer, reduce or eliminate capital gains tax otherwise due on the sale of the assets. You may also receive an immediate charitable income tax deduction on the remainder interest of the property that passes to CALMS. Finally, the assets in the charitable remainder trust may escape some estate tax after your death as well.

You should always consult with legal and tax experts for advice before putting a plan into action or making a charitable gift. Lack of proper advice could lead to adverse consequences and beneficial tax advantages could be lost as well. Your attorney and tax adviser can help you understand the best giving options for you.