Giving Opportunities
To Southtown Baptist Church

Southtown Baptist Church is thankful for the many faithful members and regular attenders who consistently give tithes and offerings to the Lord.  Our church is greatly blessed through your generosity.  We pass a collection basket during worship services.  Checks and cash are convenient ways to give to the ministries of Southtown and are the primary method used for most of the gifts we receive.

Outlined below are a number of ways in which you can give to Southtown that we want to bring to your attention.  Any gift given is confidential and you will be sent regular giving reports.

Cash and Checks
Cash is the simplest method of giving – you can write a check or put cash in a giving envelope.  Your gift is fully tax deductible up to a maximum of 50 percent of your adjusted gross income; the amount of savings depends on your tax bracket.  For example, if you are in the 28 percent tax bracket, a $2,000 donation will save you $560 in taxes if you itemize deductions.

Online Bill Pay
Using electronic giving (commonly known as electronic Bill Pay), you can set up contributions to be made automatically from your bank account to Southtown Baptist.  You set the amount you desire to give and then submit the request via your financial institution’s web site.  The contribution is then sent directly from your financial institution to Southtown.  

You can also choose to set up a recurring contribution, once a month, twice a month, or weekly.  Once it is set up, it will be paid with that chosen regularity and amount until you stop or change it.  This is a convenient way to give without having to mail a check.  

Most banks offer this service for a small monthly fee or for free, depending on the type of account you have.  You must have a computer and Internet access to use this method of electronic giving.  Please check with your financial institution for details and requirements of electronic bill pay.

PayPal
Another convenient way to give is through a PayPal account.  If you don't have a PayPal account, it is easy to set-up at their website, www.paypal.com.
  
If you already have a PayPal account, you can donate by clicking on the "Donate" button below. You have the choice of using a bank debit card or credit card.  However, we don't recommend giving via credit card unless you regularly pay it off. In other words, we don't want you to go into debt using your credit card to give. 

Automatic Withdrawal
With automatic withdrawal you can establish a regular contribution from your account.  If you desire to use automatic withdrawal, you must sign a form that gives your financial institution’s name, routing number and your account number.  

On the form you elect whether to have the debit take place the 5th of each month or the 20th of each month or both.  The form also states how much should be withdrawn and how the money should be applied.  

Please contact Melissa Rhodes, church treasurer, at sbctreasurer@gmail.com to request the appropriate form or you can download the form using the link below and turn in to the church office.

(Automatic Withdrawal.pdf)

Stock Gifts
Even with the uncertainty of the stock market, many people still have stock worth more than they paid for it.  A long term appreciated stock offers two tax savings.  First, you avoid capital gains tax.  Second, you receive an income tax deduction – based on the increased value of the stock instead of the cost basis.

Real Estate
In donating real estate held long-term, you generally receive a deduction based on the increased value of the property and pay no capital gains tax.

An Insurance Policy
A gift of a life insurance policy you no longer need makes a perfect year-end gift.  To qualify as a gift, Southtown Baptist must become the owner and beneficiary of the irrevocable beneficiary.  If the policy is paid up, your tax deduction is usually the cost basis or the replacement value of the policy, whichever is less.

Other Opportunities
Below are additional ways that you can give to the ministries of Southtown Baptist Church.  Please contact the church office if you are interested in these options:

• Life Income Gifts    
• Bequests    
• Endowment Gifts    
• Gifts of Inventory    
• Gifts through Wills    

 As with all gifts to a charitable organization, there are many tax and estate benefits that accompany the joy you will receive from giving to the ministries of the church.  We recommend that you consult with your attorney, CPA, and/or financial planner to discuss your particular financial situation in detail.
 
If you wish to learn more on how you can give to Southtown Baptist Church, please contact Lou Dolton, chair of our Finance Committee, at ldolton@cox.net.