What is Planned Giving?
A planned gift is a charitable donation that requires planning to execute and is typically provided through non-cash assets.
Ephesians 3:20
Dynamis Ministries aligns with congregations and other Christian ministries to build and enhance a culture of giving.
We facilitate a discovery process to uncover unknown or underexplored avenues of generosity, which blesses the individual, ministry, and the Kingdom of God.
Think of a DAF as a savings account for charitable donations. This is an easy way for someone to donate to multiple organizations while also providing the freedom and flexibility for the donor to determine how, when, and where funds are distributed.
Donors aged 70 1⁄2 and older can distribute money from their qualified retirement account such, such as a 401k or 403b, or IRA directly to a charity. Distributing money this way avoids taxation for the donor while also leaves a gift for the charity.
Assets such as stock, land, or other property that if sold can create considerable capital gains tax for the donor. To avoid this tax donors can transfer their asset to a charity, while also receiving an income tax charitable deduction.
This is a contract between a donor and an charity in which the donor gives a sizable gift of money and in return the charity promises to pay the donor a fixed annual income for life.
This is an individually managed trust in which the donor places assets in the trust and then receives a lifetime income and significant tax deduction. At the end of the term, remaining trust assets are transferred to the charity.
A donor can make a charitable contribution to a fund which includes other donor’s funds and in return receives variable income dependent on how the funds are invested and its return.
This is the easiest method of planned giving. Any asset that has a beneficiary such as IRAs, 401ks, and life insurance can be modified by including a charity as a beneficiary.
A donor can list a charity as a recipient of their estate in their will or trust. A bequest can be for a specific amount, a percentage of one’s estate, or the remainder of money left after all other bequests have been paid out.
Quite frankly, I believe I am answering God’s calling. Several years ago I was first struck with the idea to work in, or start a planned giving organization and there have been numerous nudges along the way. I believe we are filling a great void. There are so many people out there who have been blessed with God’s abundance and they simply haven’t been invited, or don’t fully know all the ways they can bless and impact others with those blessings. In addition the by-products of generosity for self and others are amazing. They need to be shared. I am most humbled by what has already been happening as we have invited others into this ministry. It is a validation of God’s plan and provision.
I like the idea of potentiality that Dynamis Ministries has built its name around. To me potentiality can signify growth and I'm excited to be part of something that facilitates this growth. Growth in the spiritual journey of individuals, growth in the generosity in churches, and ultimately growth in the Lord's Kingdom. I enjoy working with others and seeing them discover their own dynamis and the possibilities of what can be accomplished as a result.
I love Jesus and want others to know the love and peace that comes with having a relationship with Christ. Dynamis is a vehicle for that, directly and indirectly. Also as far as my own spiritual growth I love the idea of being surrounded with a bunch of other Jesus freaks and working with them in this ministry.
Mike’s passion for serving has provided several opportunities to share his talents in many areas of his community. Over the years, Mike has served as a counselor/mentor for the Royal Family Kids Camp, Director of the Foundation Board of the College of DuPage, Director of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, as well as a member of several corporate Boards. Mike is also passionate about serving at his local church where for the past 6 years he has been a member of the Executive Committee as well as an adult leader for the student ministries at Chapel Street Church in Geneva, IL.
In his spare time Mike enjoys being with his family in the outdoors, playing golf, pickle ball, running and boating.
Mike’s passion for serving and giving back has led him to Dynamis Ministries where he can continue Kingdom work; learning, growing, teaching, and inspiring others to live a life of generosity to grow God’s Kingdom.
In his free time Andy enjoys soccer, watching movies, and reading books about history and science. Andy resides in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago with his wife and daughter.
The Bible (and our Lord Jesus himself) mentions money numerous times and even teaches us to use money wisely so that we lay up for ourselves treasures in Heaven. Dynamis is such a ministry that could help churches and individuals, uncover potential resources to support ministries, build the Lord’s Kingdom, and lay up treasures in Heaven.
Brian is a husband, a father of two young adult kids, a grandfather…and child of God. He loves music- listening and performing, sports, and two-wheeled things (motorcycles, scooters and bicycles).
Congregations are vitally important to The Kingdom and to their local communities because this is the place where the saving grace of Jesus Christ is proclaimed. Congregations are the place where we gather to confess sins, receive forgiveness, give, pray, praise and offer thanks to God. This is an immensely important thing, albeit rare in society.
Also, congregations are a vitally important partners to the local community, along with schools, hospitals, etc. Why that matters is that here families find community, friendship, respite, and trusting relationships. Here children see their moms and dads and other adults serving, giving, and acting in ways that demonstrate moral and ethical behavior that helps kids build self-confidence, character and skills that serve God and “love their neighbor.”
While companies, schools, and other nonprofits can contribute in important ways, they naturally place the “self” at the center of their work, so it’s “all about me.” The church places God at the center, and thus all of our work, service, development of faith and family places God at the center. This demonstrates, appropriately, that we’re all about being in-service to a calling that is much greater than self. Any small effort that I might provide to help strengthen that is worth it.
On my very first day of my very first job out of college, my boss challenged our team to write a list of 100 goals, from the smallest most mundane to the biggest far out dream. One of the goals I wrote that day was to have a million dollar charitable gift to my favorite cause. I still have the list and I still have that goal. I’m excited to be a part of Dynamis Ministries to learn more and help spread education on how we can all increase our generosity threshold in new ways.
Having worked with churches and people of faith and their finances for many, many years, I have witnessed the strain on dollars to achieve ministry. And I believe that is only going to worsen in the years to come. I believe that my experience and an organization like Dynamis are a perfect combination and can make significant impact.