About gifts of real estate
Making a gift of real estate to charity may be an appealing option for property owners with appreciated value, as it helps avoid capital gains tax liabilities.
Additionally, it benefits individuals seeking to simplify estate planning, reduce estate tax liability, and relieve themselves from ownership expenses and maintenance burdens.
Benefits
- Eliminate ownership and maintenance expenses.
- Make a significant charitable gift in support of your favorite ministry’s mission.
Next steps
- Contact Lutheran Giving to discuss the possibility of giving real estate to support one of our ministry partners or your congregation, and other nonprofit organizations you specify. If the property is debt-free, the gift is tax-deductible at the property’s appraised value.
- Seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor to make sure this gift fits your goals.
- Work with us and your attorney to transfer the property ownership. This may involve executing a deed, transferring title, and completing any necessary legal or regulatory requirements.
- Claim your charitable deduction on your tax return for the year in which the donation is made, while avoiding income tax on any appreciation in value.
There may be some restrictions on the types of property we can accept, so please contact us before you donate.
Add the gift of real estate to your legacy
Donate real estate in your will or trust or through a Transfer on Death (TOD) Deed to ensure it is used for a charitable purpose and not subject to potential disputes or mismanagement in the future.
Learn more about gifts of real estate 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.
Gifts that pay you back
Give assets while providing yourself or others with income for a period of time or distributions at a later date.