Giving Options

Giving Options

LSS and those we serve welcome your partnership of financial support in a variety of forms.  Below are ways in which you can make a gift and know it's benefiting those in need.  

• Cash/Check - Cash gifts of any amount may be made to Lutheran Social Services.  Click here to make a secure contribution with your credit card.  Or, mail your check, with your instructions to:
  
  LSS Office of Resource Development
  647 W. Virginia St., Suite 300
  Milwaukee, WI  53204-1535
• Bequests - Perhaps the easiest way to make a "once-in-a-lifetime" gift is by leaving instructions in your will.  To learn more about supporting LSS by providing a provision in your will, click here.
• Charitable Gift Annuities - are vehicles that provide an income stream and tax deduction to the donor in return for an irrevocable gift.
• Trusts - Those we serve, and often your own family members, may benefit from a variety of trusts, some of which provide some tax benefits to donors.  (Consult your professional advisors for details on how these instruments and those listed above affect your own tax situation.)
• Retirement Fund and Insurance Policy Assets - These gifts are becoming more popular and common.  Excess death benefit capacity from insurance policies, or unneeded retirement fund assets may be directed to LSS often with a simple change of beneficiary.
• Securities - Stocks, bonds and mutual fund shares often make good gifts.  Appreciated stock may often be given directly, without incurring capital gain tax liability.
• Real Estate - may be given in a variety of ways, for use by LSS programs and clients if needed, or for sale to benefit those programs and clients.

While unrestricted gifts offer the greatest flexibility in serving LSS clients, a donor may choose to support any individual LSS program or service.  Unrestricted gifts are used to support LSS programs and clients where most needed.  

LSS Foundation's Permanent Endowment Funds  
Many donors are choosing permanence and security by contributing to, or starting their own permanent endowment fund.  Gifts given to the endowment funds will produce an annual income stream in perpetuity.  Annually, a portion of the earnings of the permanent endowment funds, are used to improve the quality of the lives of those served by LSS.  If you would like to learn more about the funds, or to discuss a gift or special interest, please do not hesitate to contact the LSS Office of Resource Development at (800) 488-5181, ext. 3073 or givinginfo@lsswis.org.