May/June/July 2005


Feature Articles:

MOOSE CHARITIES
Forward in the Good, Onward in the Right

Avoid the Taxman, and Help Kids and Seniors, All at Once

Gift Annuities via Moose Charities Yield
Positive Results

By DOUGLAS ANDERSON
Director of Philanthropy, Moose Charities

> You may have already heard how a Charitable Gift Annuity agreement between Moose Charities and yourself can provide some wonderful benefits. All you have to do is to transfer ownership of any asset valued at $5,000 or more (cash, stock, real estate or other property, etc.) to Moose Charities, and you can receive:

• Higher rates of return than rates on many other fixed-income investments, such as savings accounts and CDs
.
• A steady, reliable income stream from risky, poorly performing stocks or accounts that generate little interest income.

• A fixed lifetime income.

• Freedom from worries about the stock market, interest rates, or investment returns.

• Partial tax-free income for a period of years.

• A significant charitable tax deduction.

• And, great satisfaction in knowing that you are making an important gift to help our Mooseheart children and Moosehaven seniors. However, you may not have heard about the specific benefits of funding your gift annuity with appreciated assets such as stock or real estate.

Is your money tied up in appreciated stock that provides little income? You can increase that level of income, avoid part of the tax bill--and help support the kids of Mooseheart and the seniors of Moosehaven.

.

Please click on any photograph below to view a larger image.















Gift Annuity Rates

$10,000 Investment
Age
Rate
Yearly
Annuity
Payments
60
5.7
$570
65
6.0
$600
70
6.5
$650
75
7.1
$710
80
8.0
$800
85
9.5
$950
90
11.3
$1,130
Note: Gift annuities can be established in amounts of $5,000 or more. Moose Charities Gift Annuities may not be available in all states and provinces. Rates are subject to change. Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by, nor are under the jurisdiction of, the South Dakota division of insurance.
“Tony,” age 80, is a longtime Moose who believes in doing his part to help make a positive difference in the lives of children at Mooseheart. He currently holds $100,000 worth of highly appreciated stock with an original cost of $5,000. The stock has made great gains in value--but is not providing a significant retirement income.

So, Tony donates the stock to create a Moose Charities Gift Annuity. As a result, he receives the following benefits:

• A fixed annual payment of $8,000 for the rest of his life;

• An immediate tax deduction of $48,026; and

• Partial avoidance of capital-gains tax--resulting in a tax savings of $6,844.

Do you own highly appreciated land that is yielding a low return? You can increase your income, while simultaneously avoiding capital-gains taxes--and helping people in need.



“Tony”
“Janet” is a longtime co-worker of the Women of the Moose, who is interested in giving a better life to senior members at Moosehaven. She strongly desires to help--but she needs to make sure, of course, that she has sufficient income to continue to support her own retirement. At age 76, she is healthy and active at this point, and feels she could use a “boost” in her retirement income.

Janet owns a small piece of land that she purchased many years ago for $25,000, but which is now along a commercial strip and has been recently appraised at $250,000.

In exchange for her donation of the land, Moose Charities could establish a charitable gift annuity, which would provide for her the following benefits:

• A fixed annual payment of $18,000 for life;

• An immediate tax deduction of $110,952;

• Partial avoidance of capital-gains tax, resulting in a tax savings of $14,975.

Planned-giving instruments offer great flexibility--and opportunity--for donors.

Charitable-Gift Annuities are just one type of planned-giving instrument that can yield surprising benefits for both the donor and the charity. For example, if you are a small-business owner, it might be possible to fully transfer your business to your heirs, receive a substantial lifetime income--and provide a significant gift for the children of Mooseheart or the seniors of Moosehaven.

For more information about Moose Charities Gift Annuities, or any other planned-giving opportunity, contact Douglas Anderson, Moose Charities’ Director of Philanthropy, at 630/966-2200, ext. 6224.

“Janet”

Things Every Member Should Know about Moose Charities

By Kurt Wolbrink
Executive Director, Moose Charities

From time to time people ask me about how Moose Charities operates, and what we do to help Mooseheart and Moosehaven.

Generally speaking, Moose Charities serves as the fund-raising arm of the Moose organization--serving to coordinate, support, and stimulate charitable giving from diverse sources. We are a recognized full-service public charity that receives, processes and stewards charitable contributions from Moose members, fraternal units, corporations, foundations and other friends, to help provide the resources necessary to support the operation of Mooseheart, Moosehaven, and other charitable endeavors of the Moose fraternity.

As a public charity, we adhere to applicable charitable fundraising laws and regulations as set by government, as well as professional/ethical standard for charitable fundraising. As an IRS-approved 501(c)3 charity, gifts to Moose Charities are deductible under U.S. income-tax law.

Why is Moose Charities so important to the future of Mooseheart and Moosehaven? First and most importantly, Moose Charities serves to centralize and coordinate all charitable fundraising activities for these two institutions. This means Mooseheart and Moosehaven need not dedicate staff nor budget toward pursuit of charitable funding, and can concentrate on delivering quality services to our children and seniors. Additionally, the coordination and centralization of fundraising processes eases the burden and costs associated with compliance to charitable regulations--meaning greater efficiency.

Does Moose Charities deduct an “administrative” fee from my gift to Mooseheart or Moosehaven? No fee is deducted. Moose Charities receives an annual operating grant from Moose International. This means that donors can specify where they want their dollars to go, and know that, whether used to benefit children or seniors, no portion of it is used to offset Moose Charities’ operating costs.

What else does Moose Charities have to offer donors? Our professional staff stands ready to assist donors in planning gifts such as bequests, charitable trusts, charitable gift annuities and more, to help them attain the fullest realization of their personal and charitable goals. Also, we offer expertise and support to Moose Lodges, Chapters, Associations and other fraternal units that conduct fundraising efforts.

Can my business donate to Mooseheart or Moosehaven via Moose Charities? Absolutely! As a 501(c)3 public charity, we can receive charitable gifts from all sources. To preserve the donor’s tax deduction, checks should be written directly to Moose Charities--with the intended purpose designated on the “Memo” line.

Above all, Moose Charities exists because of the heartfelt interest Moose members have in our two noble charitable endeavors at Mooseheart and Moosehaven. The strength of your loyal and compassionate support continue to make them both possible. Thank you!

Buying GreatHeart Nut Products Helps
Mooseheart Kids!

Every tin of GreatHeart Nuts you purchase this spring will bring help and hope to every child at Mooseheart Child City & School. Proceeds from this annual spring sale are used to provide year-round care and education. Produced exclusively for Moose Charities, GreatHeart’s delicious, gourmet-quality peanuts, cashews and pecans will bring a satisfied smile to your face--and the knowledge that you’re also providing a greater good for children and teens in need. Note: free shipping on larger orders, new simplified shipping, and 50% of every purchase goes directly to support Mooseheart! Click here for order form.


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