Giving Non-Cash Assets

At Definition Church, generosity is our privilege, not a pressure. Most of us think of giving from our income, but sometimes the greatest impact comes from giving what we’ve accumulated: investments, real estate, insurance, or other valuable resources.

Giving from these non-cash assets can offer significant tax advantages, and often enables a person or family to give more than they imagined. If you’re considering how to make a meaningful investment in Build His House, we’d love to come alongside you and help.

Ways to Give

Publicly Traded Securities

Donating appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds is one of the most tax-efficient ways to give. When you transfer these assets directly to Definition Church (rather than selling them yourself), you typically avoid capital gains tax and receive a charitable deduction for the full fair market value.

Example:
You bought a stock for $2,000 and it’s now worth $10,000.

• Selling it would trigger a capital gains tax on $8,000.
• But by gifting the stock directly, you avoid the tax and get a $10,000 charitable deduction.

Best for: Long-term investments that have grown significantly in value.

Appreciated Real Estate

Land, rental property, vacation homes, or other real estate can also be powerful giving tools. Like securities, real estate gifts can allow you to avoid capital gains tax and deduct the full appraised value.

Options include:

• Outright gift – Donate the property and receive full tax benefits.
  
• Bargain sale – Sell the property to the church for less than market value, turning the difference into a charitable gift.
• Retained life estate – Continue living in your home while making it a future gift to the church.

Note: All real estate gifts require appraisal and approval before acceptance.

Personal Property

Gifts of personal property—such as vehicles, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, or other tangible items—can also be used to support Build His House. The fair market value may be tax-deductible depending on the type of item and its intended use.

Common items:

• Cars, boats, or motorcycles
• Artwork or rare collections
• Equipment or furniture
• Estate jewelry

Important: Donations must be coordinated with our team to ensure we’re able to accept and process the gift efficiently.

Paid-Up Life Insurance

Do you have a paid-up whole life insurance policy that’s no longer needed for its original purpose (like a mortgage or tuition plan)? You can name Definition Church as the policy owner and beneficiary.

We may choose to either:

• Cash in the policy for immediate use
• Hold the policy and receive the benefit at a future time

Your gift may be tax-deductible based on the policy's cash surrender value or replacement cost.

Gifts in Kind

Do you or your business have access to materials, supplies, or equipment that could support the campaign? In many cases, in-kind contributions can be just as valuable as cash.

Examples include:

• Construction or trade materials
• Office equipment or furniture
• Lighting, tech, or AVL gear
• Landscaping or architectural support

Note: IRS rules do not allow you to deduct the value of your services, but you can bill the church and donate the amount as a cash gift.

Charitable Lead Trusts

Charitable lead trusts (CLTs) are tools that allow you to give now and receive later. You create a trust that pays income to Definition Church for a set number of years, and when the term ends, the remaining assets return to you or your heirs.

Benefits include:

• Reducing estate and gift taxes
• Keeping control of principal assets
• Supporting the church in the present while planning for your family’s future

CLTs require legal and financial counsel but can be an excellent solution for those with complex estates.

Deferred Gifts

Deferred gifts allow you to make a meaningful investment in the future of Definition Church—often through your estate plan or retirement assets.

Common types of deferred gifts include:

• Bequests in your will
• IRA beneficiary designations
• Charitable remainder trusts
• Life insurance policies
• Pay-on-death (POD) accounts
• Charitable gift annuities

These gifts cost nothing today, but they provide a lasting legacy that can continue to impact lives for generations.

‍