Legacy Giving

What is legacy giving?

Legacy giving - also known as planned giving - encompasses charitable donations made through your estate, will, or other planned financial arrangements. These gifts often involve larger contributions that are spread over time, allowing the church to plan for long-term needs, reduce the need for regular fundraising appeals, and secure the continued impact of OCC’s important work. To learn more about Legacy Giving, please read the article below. For more information on leaving a legacy gift to OCC, please fill out the form at the end of the article, or contact OCC's treasurer, Rip Pretat, at office@occhurch.org. 

Why Legacy Giving Matters

  • Sustaining the Ministry & Building for the Future:
    Legacy gifts are vital in ensuring that OCC can continue its important work, from vibrant worship services to educational programs, community outreach, and more. These gifts also help the church plan for future needs, enabling us to expand programs, improve facilities, and launch new initiatives that will ensure the continued growth of our mission.

  • Creating a Lasting Legacy:
    Legacy gifts allow you to leave an enduring impact on the church. By making a planned gift, you help ensure that the mission of Ozaukee Congregational Church—rooted in faith and open to free thought—continues for generations to come, shaping the lives of others just as it has shaped ours.

How To Give A Legacy Gift

There are several ways to make a legacy gift that will support the future of OCC.

  • Bequests in a Will or Trust:
    You can designate a specific amount or percentage of your estate to the church after your passing. This simple yet powerful way to contribute ensures a lasting impact. Please consult your estate planning attorney to add OCC as a beneficiary in your will or trust.

  • Beneficiary Designations for Retirement Accounts and Life Insurance:
    You can name Ozaukee Congregational Church as a beneficiary of your retirement account, such as an IRA or 401(k), or life insurance policy. This straightforward approach allows assets to transfer directly to the church upon your passing.

  • Appreciated Stock:
    Donating appreciated stock allows you to make a larger contribution while avoiding capital gains taxes. If your investments have grown in value, donating them directly to the church is a tax-efficient way to give. OCC has a Baird brokerage account that makes transferring appreciated stock easy.

  • Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs):
    If you are 70½ or older, you can make direct donations from your IRA to the church via a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). QCDs allow you to donate up to $108,000 annually without paying income taxes on the distribution, making this a tax-efficient way to give. Several major investment firms allow you to write QCD checks directly from your IRA account.

  • Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs):
    A donor-advised fund lets you contribute to a fund that allows you to direct gifts to Ozaukee Congregational Church or other charities over time. This offers flexibility while also providing a current tax deduction. Many major investment firms (e.g. Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab, etc.) offer individual DAF charitable accounts.

Join Us In Building A Lasting Legacy

We invite you to consider how you might contribute to the future of Ozaukee Congregational Church. Your legacy gift offers an opportunity to support the church’s mission and ensure the work we do together will continue for generations to come. If you have questions, want more information, or already have a Legacy Gift planned for the church, please fill out the information below and use the dropdown box to select a response: