About Charitable Lead Trusts
A Charitable Lead Trust is a type of trust that allows you to make a charitable gift while retaining some control over the assets during your lifetime.
This type of trust makes annual payments to a charity for a set number of years, after which the remaining assets are distributed to non-charitable beneficiaries that you choose (many people choose their family members).
Benefits
- Receive an immediate income tax deduction for the value of your contributions
- Retain some control over the assets donated
- Provide for your family’s financial security
- Create a lasting legacy that supports your favorite ministries
How it works
- Create a trust and fund it with assets, such as cash, securities, or real estate.
- The trust makes annual payments to a charitable organization for a set number of years, based on a predetermined formula or percentage of the trust assets.
- At the end of the charitable period, the remaining assets are distributed to non-charitable beneficiaries, chosen by you, such as your family members.
- Receive an immediate tax deduction for the present value of the charitable payments made by the trust.
Learn more about Charitable Lead Trusts by starting a conversation with Lutheran Giving
As you explore this opportunity, we encourage you to consult with your financial and legal advisors to ensure it is the right choice for you.
We’re here to help you meet your goals!
Our team would be happy to speak with you in confidence about your giving goals, with no obligation.

Name: Sarah Callahan
Title :Executive Director
Phone: 402-342-5728
Email: info@lutherangiving.org
As Executive Director, Sarah provides charitable gift planning services to anyone wishing to support Nebraska Synod congregations and its agencies and institutions as well as any Synodical or Churchwide ministry. Sarah provides legacy presentations across Nebraska and consultation services to congregations wishing to form or build up an endowment fund. She also serves as the local representative of the ELCA Foundation’s Ministry Growth Fund.
Before joining Lutheran Giving in 2018, Sarah built a financial advising practice where she worked with families in Nebraska and Iowa with generational transition and estate planning. In her early career, she worked in fundraising and development. She holds a bachelor of arts in music and a master’s in business administration from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. Sarah earned the Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®) and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) professional designations from The American College of Financial Services.
Already included your favorite ministry in your estate plan? Let us know
More ways to make an impact
Gifts in a will or trust
Donations in your will or trust are (by far) the most popular type of planned gift. Learn more, or get help starting your will (for free!).
Beneficiary designations
Gifting assets not covered by your will — like 401(k) or IRA accounts — may help your heirs avoid unwanted taxes, even if you’re below the estate tax threshold.
Popular tax-smart gifts
Many people are increasingly choosing to give non-cash assets, so they can have a bigger impact at less cost to them.