Supporting Our Donors Through Tax Season and Beyond
Our donors are the lifeblood of our Masonic Charities, and we strive to support them throughout the giving process. We help coordinate top-notch professional services to design and implement their gifting strategies and provide timely documentation for their tax reporting needs. By engaging with our donors every step of the way, we help them achieve their goals in the most tax efficient and personally fulfilling manner possible.
Our office recently assisted Charlie and Carol C. with the creation of a charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT) for the benefit of their children [for 20 years] and then the Masonic Children’s Home. We assisted Charlie and Carol as follows:
• Prepared illustrations of how the trust would work and the tax benefits
• Agreed to provide trustee services without a fee
• Secured experienced legal counsel to draft the trust and counsel Charlie and Carol at discounted rates
• Established accounts with the investment advisor at discounted rates
• Engaged an accountant at discounted rates
• Ensure statements and tax documentation are reliably and timely provided to the trust
• Coordinate prompt responses to questions from Charlie and Carol and their children
“The Masonic Charities supported us when we set up the trust through well-coordinated legal assistance, coordinates accounting services with Simon Lever [business advisors and CPAs] and investment management through Mill Creek Capital Advisors and acts as trustee for no fee. They make complicated things simple and easy. And best of all, by reducing and eliminating expenses, more money is available for our children and, ultimately, the children at the Masonic Children’s Home,” the couple said.
Charlie said his tax and investment advisors are great. “Whenever we reach out, they are happy to help with whatever we need. We’re on a first-name basis!” he said.
Erika W., a generous supporter of the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, where her mother had resided, appreciates the ease of the donation process and the formal recognition of her generosity.
“I have appreciated the prompt and nice acknowledgment letters. The thank you notes received in between have been nice, and I have always enjoyed the annual donor receptions. I look forward to them,” she said.
We look forward to serving you!
Charitable Gift Annuities
ENJOY INCOME FOR LIFE
Transferring cash or property to Masonic Charities through a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) provides you or your designated annuitant a secure source of fixed payments for life or a term of years (which may be partially tax-free) and an income tax deduction in the year the CGA is established for the charitable gift portion of the annuity. You may also make a gift of appreciated securities to fund a gift annuity and avoid a portion of the capital gains tax.
Not only do we have unique experience issuing and administering CGAs, but each CGA we issue is backed by the strong, investment-grade credit of Masonic Charities as the issuer. In fact, many persons unaffiliated with our Masonic Charities have purchased CGAs from us because of the comfort and security afforded by our experience and strong credit. From $5,000 to $36,000,000, CGAs issued by Masonic Charities have proven to be a sound choice for thousands of donors and their loved ones.
A year ago, Brother Greg Sutliff met with OMAD staff, who suggested he fund a CGA with stock he’d invested in over his long, successful career running car dealerships, but that no longer provided much return. A 70year member of the Masonic fraternity, Greg knew he could count on the financial strength of the Masonic Village. He also knew the charity would be a good steward of his contribution.
Since his stock had appreciated over the years, Greg was able to avoid capital gains tax on the investment and received a charitable tax deduction. Now, he receives monthly income at a desirable rate based on his age (93 years young).
“It’s a win-win,” Greg said. “It’s a way for me to get income from a charitable gift and benefit a good cause.
“The Office of Mission Advancement and Development supports us with everything, including timely scheduled payouts and seasonal tax documentation support. They make the entire process simple and easy. I know if I need anything, it’ll be taken care of.”
To see the most current CGA rates, visit acga-web.org/current-gift-annuity-rates.
Meet the Donor
Services Team
The Donor Services Team processes every gift received by the Office of Mission Advancement and Development for the Masonic Charities - more than 13,000 each year! The team ensures every contribution is used solely for each donor’s intended purpose and that every donation is properly acknowledged. By verifying the accuracy of donor information and financial records and ensuring appropriate recognition, the team strives to make donors’ experience efficient, easy and gratifying.
Hunter Glidewell, Lucia Nolan and Daniel Beury
MASONIC OUTREACH PROGRAM IMPACT REPORT
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Masonic Outreach Program provides valuable services to eligible Masons and their families.
MASONIC BLOOD + ORGAN DONOR PROGRAM
This special program promotes the gift of life by conducting blood drives throughout Pennsylvania; providing education about the importance of blood, platelet, plasma and organ donation; and supporting members of our family of Freemasonry needing blood products and organ transplant services.
In 2024, lodges collected 3,573 units of blood, helping to save the lives of over 10,000 patients. The program also supported seven brethren who received life-saving organ transplants, as well as their family members.
MASONIC WIDOWS’ GUILD
The guild program seeks to identify, honor and assist Masonic widows through the Masonic Outreach Program and by connecting them with one another.
In 2024, the guild had grown to 1,740 members, 350 of whom attended one of the 10 widows’ events held statewide. Twenty-seven widows in need received $82,000 in financial support.
HOME ASSISTANCE
Various resources are available to brethren and their loves ones to provide support in their time of need.
In 2024, more than 70 brethren and/or their families received financial grants totaling $185,000. Twenty individuals were supported through referrals to the Legal and Financial Panels, and 10 received assistance through the Medical Loan Closet.
Contact the Office of Mission Advancement and Development to make a donation to support these impactful programs by calling 1-800-599-6454, emailing giving@masonicvillages.org or visiting MasonicCharitiesLegacy.org (scan the QR code for your convenience).
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows individuals 70 ½ or older to donate to charity from a taxable IRA instead of taking their required minimum distributions. Doing so will reduce your taxes and provide lifetime fixed payments for you and, if you choose, for your spouse.
