We thought it might be helpful to provide the following upcoming key dates for your charitable giving before midnight on December 31.
Your year-end gifts are critical in helping Grace Christian University continue graduating courageous ambassadors for Christ who make an eternal impact wherever they go. Every gift, whether it’s from your IRA (QCD, RMD, or straight gift), stock transfer, or charitable annuity, directly strengthens scholarships, supports affordable pathways through Vision 2025, and ensures that students are equipped to learn, grow, and serve.
Thank you for considering Grace in your year-end plans.
IRAs
If you would like to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA, you will need to submit a QCD request to your IRA custodian. The check or electronic transfer must be made payable to Grace Christian University and sent directly to our office.
According to many of our friends who work as financial advisors, PLEASE consider making these decisions in October or November if possible in order to avoid the year-end rush. It takes a certain amount of time for the financial houses to clear, report, file, and process your request. Please allow sufficient time for them to process before December 31.
Also, gifts directly from your IRA are usually the most tax advantageous to donors. These gifts allow you to make the maximum contribution while avoiding the taxes on appreciated gains. Your tax advisor or financial advisor can answer specific questions.
Physical Stock Certificates
If you want to make a gift of stock, please contact our Development Office for the most effective ways to gift these securities. Typically we provide you with the name of our broker, their contact information, and our tax identification number. It is always helpful and greatly appreciated if you make a donation of stock and inform the Advancement Office/Pete Tilden of the stock name, number of shares, and price; this allows us to confirm with our broker when the gift is deposited. Gifts of stock are sometimes received by the broker with little to no information regarding who they are for, where they came from, and how they are to be used; the more information, the better.
Real Estate Gifts – November 28
Any real estate gift requiring a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment must be initiated with Grace Christian University by this date.
Proprietary Mutual Funds – December 2
All proprietary mutual fund transfers must be initiated by this date.
New Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) – December 5
Any new SMAs (Grace fund assets separately managed by an advisor) must be set up by this date.
Complex Gifts – December 12
We know that life can be very complicated. Grace has an ongoing relationship with the Barnabas Foundation to help with some of those complicated “situations.” The Barnabas Foundation is an organization founded on helping Christians maximize their giving while minimizing their tax footprint. We have a limited number of hours available to donors who may have a “complicated financial situation” and could use some advice. If you think your situation would benefit from some time with a trained lawyer who works for the Barnabas Foundation, please contact me, Pete Tilden, at 616.294.6668 or email me at ptilden@gracechristian.edu.
Grants to Charities – December 15
Grant requests to approved charities must be submitted by this date if you would like a check mailed by year-end. (Note: grants do not need to be issued by December 31 for tax purposes.)
Cash Gifts – December 31
Physical checks must be postmarked by USPS no later than December 31. Cash and wire transfers must also be received in Grace’s account by this date.
Charitable Gift Annuities (CGAs) – December 31
Applications for CGAs, along with physical checks, must be dated and postmarked by USPS by December 31. A CGA illustration must be completed beforehand.
Publicly Traded Securities or E-Checks – December 31
All stock and mutual fund transfers should be initiated with the broker by this date. E-checks must also be initiated by this date. After December 15, consider a physical check or wire transfer to ensure timely receipt.
Note: USPS may experience delivery delays. If your gift is sent via USPS, your receipt will reflect the postmarked date. For FedEx or UPS, the receipt date will be when Grace receives the gift.
For giving forms and detailed instructions, contact:
Pete Tilden
Chief Development Officer
(616) 298-077
Thank you for making an eternal difference through your year-end gift to Grace Christian University.
