BEQUESTS
Bequests can include cash, securities, stocks, real estate and other properties, life insurance and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). The process to make a bequest is simple and any of these could help reduce your family’s estate-tax burden after your death.

Sample Will Language
Specific bequest
… “I give, devise, and bequeath to Mustard Seed Shelter, a 501(c)(3) corporation under the laws of Michigan, the following property (or amount) …”

Residual bequest of assets remaining after all specific bequests have been satisfied
… “the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to Mustard Seed Shelter.”

Or
“__% (or fractional interest) of the rest, remainder, and residue of my estate…”

Contingent bequest to take effect only if those named as primary beneficiaries predecease you
“…If any or all of the above-named beneficiaries do not survive me, I give the share that otherwise would have been his/hers to Mustard Seed Shelter.”

IRA
One of the simplest ways to provide for Mustard Seed Shelter is to name Mustard Seed Shelter as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, IRA or other pension plan that could be highly taxed. By doing so, you can preserve other assets in your estate that carry lower tax liabilities for your heirs.

IRA Charitable Rollover/Qualified Charitable Distribution 
Required minimum distributions, or RMDs, are mandatory withdrawals from tax-deferred retirement plans. In cases where retirees find they don’t need the full RMD amount for personal expenses, they may choose to “roll over” or direct a portion to Mustard Seed through a qualified charitable distribution. Read more 

APPRECIATED STOCKS AND SECURITIES
When you contribute securities that have appreciated in value, you can keep your cash for other uses and avoid the capital gains tax from selling these assets. You may also get a charitable tax deduction for the full market value of the asset, regardless of what you paid for it.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY
A charitable gift annuity pays you a fixed dollar amount for life, or for a term of years. The amount is determined at the time of contribution and is based on your age.

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS
Charitable remainder trusts (CRATs and CRUTs) allow you to leave a remainder interest to the charity of your choice or to your family.

LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES
The easiest way to give life insurance is to purchase a new policy naming Mustard Seed Shelter as owner and beneficiary. The premiums that you pay on the policy are tax deductible. You may also designate Mustard Seed Shelter as the owner and beneficiary of an existing policy and receive a tax deduction for either the replacement value or cash surrender value of the policy, as well as for any premiums that you continue to pay. You may also name Mustard Seed Shelter as the beneficiary of your policy without giving up ownership.

MUSTARD SEED SHELTER ENDOWMENT
An endowment is a permanent investment fund where the initial gifts/core assets (principal) are invested to generate sustainable, long-term income. The principal is kept intact and a set percentage of the interest can be directed to specific activities. As part of our board’s long-term financial strategy to provide a diverse and sustainable stream of income to support Mustard Seed’s mission, an endowment was established in 2025, managed by Tri-Star Trust Bank. To contribute to the endowment today, contact the Pendleton-Baumgartner Group at Morgan Stanley at (989) 790-1048 or visit advisor.morganstanley.com/the-pendleton-baumgartner-group. Funds will then transfer to our account at Tri-Star once the endowment is fully in place in the coming weeks.

DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS
A donor-advised fund acts like a savings account that is designed to grow in value for a donor to make future gifts. When cash or assets are deposited in the account, you may also qualify for a charitable tax deduction. Talk to your financial advisor about this option if you are considering contributing to our endowment.