About Retained Life Estates
A Retained Life Estate is a planned giving arrangement where individuals can donate their home or real property to a charitable organization while retaining the right to live in it for their lifetime.
It is ideal for homeowners who wish to make a significant charitable gift while still enjoying the property’s use and avoiding the complexities and costs associated with transferring ownership during their lifetime.
Benefits
- Potentially receive a tax deduction for the value of the charitable gift.
- Retain the right to live in the property.
- Make a significant charitable gift in support of your favorite ministry.
How it works
- Transfer ownership of the property to a charitable organization, but retain the right to live in the property for the rest of your life.
- Continue responsibility for all maintenance, insurance, and property taxes on the property during your lifetime.
- If eligible, receive a tax deduction for the value of the charitable gift.
- When you pass away, the organization assumes ownership of the property and can use it or sell it in support of their mission.
There may be some restrictions on the types of property a charity can accept, so please contact us so we can assist you.
Learn more about Retained Life Estates 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.