Since its inception in 1985, Kountze Memorial has recognized the importance of sustaining its mission through an endowment fund, originally established to support the televising of Sunday morning services. The current Endowment Fund, established in 2014 as an independent 501(c)(3) corporation, continues this legacy of generosity, fueled by the contributions of our dedicated community members and invested for long-term impact.
As the fund grows, only a modest percentage of its value is distributed annually to uphold its purpose of extending Kountze’s mission outreach, ensuring its perpetuity, and enabling continuous growth. Recent years have seen the Endowment provide vital support to initiatives such as the Kountze food pantry, the Kountze free health clinic, and the development of the Kountze Commons Community Outreach Center.
Furthermore, the Endowment remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Kountze’s media ministry, broadcasting the Sunday service to reach a wider audience. Additionally, grants are regularly awarded to missionaries worldwide, as well as to local missions, including Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, Lutheran Campus Ministries, and Table Grace, among others.
Preserving the historical integrity of our cherished 1906 building presents ongoing challenges, yet through the provisions of Endowment’s Bylaws, we are able to address capital needs crucial for its maintenance. Over the years, significant contributions from the Endowment have facilitated essential repairs such as ceiling and window preservation, tuckpointing of exterior brick, and other maintenance requirements.
Through the dedication and support of our community, the Endowment continues to be a beacon of hope and compassion, extending the mission and ministry of Kountze Memorial Church both near and far.
Our Transfiguration and Sanctuary entrance windows would have both been lost without costly repairs, as well as the skylight dome and the sanctuary ceiling. Endowment was able to help with these repairs.
This is the simplest way to include Kountze in your long-term plan. After planning for loved ones, please think about a gift to Kountze. Your gift can be a set amount, a percentage of your estate, or anything else of value.
Here are samples for your attorney to consider:
If giving to the Church: I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church, with offices at 2650 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102, federal tax ID 47-0379757, or its successors in interest, the sum of $_______________ (amount written out), exclusive of my lifetime donations, if any, for use in its most urgent priorities as determined by its board of trustees in their sole discretion.
If giving to the Endowment Fund: I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, with offices at 2650 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102, federal tax ID 47- 1841100, or its successors in interest, the sum of $_______________ (amount written out), exclusive of my lifetime donations, if any, for use in its most urgent priorities as determined by its board of trustees in their sole discretion.
Did you know that life insurance is another way you can give to Kountze Memorial or the Endowment? Name Kountze Memorial or Endowment as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy. This works perfectly if you bought a policy for a specific purpose in case of an early death – like educating children or paying the mortgage – and now your children are out of college, and the house is paid off.
You can obtain a beneficiary form from your insurance company’s website. To complete the form, use our legal name and federal tax ID as described below.
Another insurance option is to transfer ownership of an unneeded policy to Kountze and pledge to keep up the premium payments, if there are any. If you are still paying on your policy – or if you give Kountze a new one – you may be eligible to deduct each premium payment, year after year, as a charitable donation. You may also qualify for a deduction at the time you turn over the policy to us. Check with your tax advisor.
If you are the trustee of your own revocable living trust, then you can include Kountze Memorial or Endowment. Your trust names beneficiaries to receive the assets at your death.
Including Kountze Memorial and/or Endowment makes good tax sense. The IRA dollars you leave to loved ones will be taxed heavily. Dollars to Kountze Memorial and/or Endowment get here tax-free. Ask your IRA company for a new beneficiary form or download it from their website. To complete the form, use the legal name and federal tax ID of your intended recipient (see below).
When gifting, please use the legal name and federal tax ID of your intended recipient. Unrestricted gifts to Kountze Memorial are set up to go to the Endowment Fund. So, if you wish to restrict your gift to Kountze Memorial, do say so.
For gifts to the Church:Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church, tax ID 47-0379757.
For gifts to Endowment Fund: Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, tax ID 47-1841100.
Did you know some members regularly give stock instead of cash to fulfill their annual pledge? A multitude of gifting strategies are available for tax and estate planning. A direct transfer of stock or other securities to Kountze is one example.
Here is what the member who gave Kountze appreciated stock said. “What a great way to give! If I sold the stock, I would have paid taxes on it. By giving the stock, I avoided taxes and was able to give the Church a much larger gift.”
More sophisticated gifts could, for example, involve charitable remainder trusts. The Endowment Fund is always available to assist donors.