Give to ABWE's Work
Donor Frequently Asked Questions
End of year giving information.
Are gifts to ABWE tax deductible?
How do I make a gift to ABWE?
How do I support a missionary?
Can I give by credit card?
What is ABWE's "Automatic Support Program"?
How does ABWE acknowledge or receipt my gifts?
How do I send my gift if I have misplaced my receipt?
How can I request a duplicate receipt for one I misplaced or did not receive?
Can I give an auto or other property to a missionary?
How can I be sure my gift will go to the right missionary project?
How much of the money that I send actually goes to the missionary? What percentage?
How is this home office support (raised by the missionary) used?
How is ABWE held accountable for handling my gifts?
Does ABWE file a Form 990 with the IRS and how can I get a copy?
What do you do with my name and address information?
What is "Planned Giving"?
How do I include a missions' gift in my will?
How can I supplement my retirement income using gift planning?
What is a gift annuity?
Does ABWE manage assets for people?
How can I give to ABWE and reduce estate taxes?
How can I donate my car or other vehicle for missionary use and get a tax deduction?
End of year giving information.
As soon as possible after each year begins, we will be sending a summary of the previous year's donations to our individual partners. This report will include everything necessary to qualify as a substantiation of your deductible contributions for Federal tax purposes. We know many like to get tax returns done early, but it is a challenge for our staff to prepare and send this report before the end of January. If you can’t wait, you will be able to verify your gifts using the regular receipts you received throughout the year. In that case, however, be sure to retain those receipts in your tax files, even after you get our annual statement. You will have the opportunity to let us know if our records don’t match yours, either for your gifts or your committed support information. We will treat gifts received after the end of the year as prior year gifts if we have a postmark or similar evidence that the gift was made prior to year’s end. Gifts using our online web service will be treated as gifts made as of the date your credit card is charged. We won’t be able to process such gifts later than one business day before year end.
PLEASE NOTE: Gifts to the support or ministry accounts of missionaries are gifts “to or for the benefit of” ABWE, and are fully deductible for federal income tax purposes, if you itemize your deductions. Gifts of cash are deductible up to 50% of adjusted gross income (AGI) and gifts of appreciated property are deductible up to 30% of AGI.
Are gifts to ABWE tax deductible?
Gifts and donations made to ABWE designated for a purpose under the control of ABWE are tax deductible. This includes gifts for support of a missionary, special missionary project or the Home Office. Non-cash gifts for these purposes are also deductible when handled according to IRS regulations. Gifts made for purposes not under the control of ABWE are not tax deductible. For example, if a cash contribution is designated as a birthday gift or Christmas gift, it is not a tax deductible gift. If you have a question regarding a specific gift, e-mail Donald Davis, Esq., ABWE's corporate attorney and tax specialist at don@abwe.org.
How do I make a gift to ABWE?
Gifts can be made by cash, check or money order and mailed to P.O. Box 8585, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8585 or you can donate online. Contributions can also be deducted automatically from your checking account or savings account through our AutoDonor service. ABWE also has an excellent Planned Giving Department to help you make arrangements for deferred gifts, such as wills, trusts, annuities or a withdrawal gift agreement. You can receive more information by clicking on the highlighted units.
How do I support a missionary?
Contact the ABWE Home Office to make arrangements to support a specific missionary or missionaries. Our Missionary Support Program enables you to select a missionary and region of the world in which you want your contribution to make a difference. You can make a one-time gift, a pledge, a monthly gift, or yearly gift. For your support to count toward the required support level of a missionary, please submit an Intention to Support Form.
Can I give by credit card?
You can give an online gift using your credit card. You may also arrange for gifts to be automatically charged to your Visa or MasterCard using our AutoDonor Service.
What is ABWE's Automatic Support Program?
ABWE's AutoDonor Service makes it possible to have your monthly, quarterly, or yearly support automatically withdrawn from your savings or checking account, or charged to your Visa or MasterCard.
How does ABWE acknowledge or receipt my gifts?
The Donor Relations Department mails a receipt to each donor for each gift or you can choose to receive a receipt by e-mail. The receipt has a detachable bottom portion that can be sent in a return envelope with your next contribution. The receipt will indicate if the gift is tax deductible or non-tax deductible in accordance with IRS regulations. Click here for more information.
If you are a Canadian donor, and require a revenue Canada compliant receipt, any donations must be submitted to the ABWE Canada office.
How do I send my gift if I have misplaced my receipt?
Send your check and a short note, or our online Mail Donation Form, indicating you have misplaced your receipt. Please include your name, address, and the missionary's name and/or project that you desire to support. If you know your donor number from a prior receipt, please include it on your current check and/or note. If you do not want to send a check without your donor number, our Donor Services Staff can provide your individual donor number to you by telephone, or email us at donorhelp@abwe.org.
How can I request a duplicate receipt for one I misplaced or did not receive?
Call, write, or email ABWE and our Donor Services Staff will assist you in obtaining the correct information and a duplicate receipt for the time period required.
Can I give an automobile or other property to a missionary?
Yes, ABWE is glad to help you make a "gift-in-kind." IRS guidelines control valuation and acknowledging such gifts. See How to Give a Non-Cash Gift for more information.
How does ABWE acknowledge or receipt my non-cash gift?
Non-cash gifts are acknowledged through a gift-in-kind letter. ABWE cannot state a value or place a value for such gifts, but we can help you meet IRS regulations to substantiate your deduction. For more information, contact Pam Purrington (717–909–2383) or follow this link.
How can I be sure my gift will go to the right missionary project?
For legal and tax reasons, all gifts to ABWE are under the control of our Board and subject to our policies and discretions. However, ABWE honors the designations of our partners when you carefully identify the purpose. We will see your gift is properly applied and your receipt will include this information. Our Donor Services Staff can research your giving history and answer your questions. Soon ABWE will have a page on its website where you can access your account and check the designation of your gifts.
How much of the money that I send actually goes to the missionary? What percentage?
All funds received by ABWE designated for a missionary or a missionary project are credited to the missionary or project account. ABWE does not keep a percentage of what is received for overhead. Instead, in the support our missionaries raise we include an amount for the home office. This is transferred to the general fund of the mission each month. The current monthly transfer is $190 per adult ($380 per couple). This averages about 7% of the monthly support for a missionary family.
How is this home office support (raised by the missionary) used?
The missionary's contribution to home office support pays part of the costs of providing services to the missionary and supporting partners. These include receiving and managing gifts for their support, managing their benefit package plans, providing assistance with pre-field and furlough activities, helping with income tax filings, recruiting, training, and shepherding missionaries, helping with governmental requirements and strategic planning. And the list goes on. The support they raise for home office use only covers 40% of the cost of these services. The remainder comes from churches or individuals who support the home office, as well as undesignated gifts from churches, individuals and estates or investment income from careful cash-flow management.
How is ABWE held accountable for handling my gifts?
ABWE operates under the authority of an independent Board of Directors made up of pastors and other spiritual leaders from churches across North America. We prepare financial statements audited annually by an independent audit firm. We use board-approved standard operating policies and procedures to assure the proper use of funds, including an accountable reimbursement plan for ministry expenses. We consider effective use of ministry resources a matter of stewardship responsibility before God and accuracy in reporting and fundraising to be a matter of integrity. We welcome requests for information or clarification from those sharing in this ministry. See Our Commitment to You for more information.
Does ABWE file a Form 990 with the IRS and how can I get a copy?
Churches and church-related organizations like ABWE are not required to file Form 990 with the IRS. We do send audited financial statements to financial partners upon request, or you can review them here.
What do you do with my name and address information?
ABWE is committed to protect the identity of its partners. We do not share or rent our list of contributors or other names with any other organization. Church information is shared with ABWE missionaries seeking support in the region where the church is located, but they are instructed to make no other use of the information other than making contact for possible ministry in the church. We send appeals for funds from time to time to those on our list, but only when there is a real need. We do not create crises and honor requests not to receive fundraising mail. Missionaries write to their own supporters for project funds, but are required to honor our commitment not to share names with others. For more information, see Our Commitment to You or our Privacy Policy.
What is "Planned Giving"?
The Bible states that God's people are to be wise stewards of the assets that He has given to them. Planned Giving is a term used to describe a wise steward's approach to gift planning. Spencer Jackson of ABWE's Planned Giving Department will help you take advantage of opportunities provided by our tax laws to increase the effectiveness of your giving or combine giving goals with personal financial planning goals. Programs include giving through wills, trusts, annuities and other plans. Planning wisely can make it possible to provide gifts to missions after your estate assets and liabilities have been settled. To learn more, click here.
How do I include a missions gift in my will?
When you have your will prepared, tell the attorney you would like to give a gift to ABWE. You can indicate a percentage of your estate or a specific amount. Specify if you desire the gift to be used for a special purpose or add the following language: "ABWE FOUNDATION, INC. of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to be used for its corporate purposes."
If you already have a will, you can add a codicil (will amendment) to designate a gift to ABWE. If you don't have a will and want advice on how to obtain one, call ABWE's Planned Giving Department, or email Spencer Jackson at spence@abwe.org and he will be happy to give you guidance.
How can I supplement my retirement income using gift planning?
You make a gift of cash or property to ABWE. ABWE, in turn, provides you with a guaranteed income for life through one of its life income plans. ABWE has a Pooled Income fund which is a plan for persons who want to receive life-time income. This income has the possibility of increasing through the years.
ABWE's Withdrawable Gift Agreement program enables you to give something away and have the option to take it back. You give an amount of $1,000 or more to ABWE to be invested along with other ABWE funds. In turn, you receive an excellent interest rate. You can withdraw money at any time without a penalty.
You may also want to choose a Charitable Remainder Trust that will pay a fixed or variable income for a lifetime in exchange for cash, real estate or securities.
What is a gift annuity?
You make a gift of cash, property or stock to a qualified charitable organization and in turn, the organization proves you with a guaranteed income for life. An annuity can help to supplement your retirement income. You can receive an immediate charitable income tax reduction, save on future taxes, avoid some capital gains taxes, and avoid probate cost and estate taxes. Gift annuities are particularly attractive when, as now, interest rates are low.
Does ABWE manage assets for people?
Yes. ABWE has excellent trust management services. Our WGA (Withdrawal Gift Agreement) program also provides good income with probate avoidance. Click here for more information or contact Spencer Jackson in the Planned Giving Department to speak about this unique opportunity.
How do I give securities?
A gift of securities is actually a non-cash gift. When appreciated (current value exceeds your cost) they should be transferred to ABWE and sold by us. This permits you to receive a tax deduction for the full value without being taxed on any of the gain. Your transfer can be made by sending the certificates and a signed stock power (available from your broker or ABWE) under separate cover. Or, you can have your securities transferred from your brokerage account to ABWE's account. Securities, which have declined in value since you purchased them, should be sold and the proceeds sent, so you can take the loss as a tax deduction. For more information contact us at donorhelp@abwe.org or contact Spencer Jackson at spence@abwe.org
How can I give to ABWE and reduce estate taxes?
The best way to reduce estate taxes is to plan ahead. You can reduce estate taxes in a variety of different ways. Trusts are often used to save taxes. ABWE's Planned Giving Department can help you use a short-term trust, a revocable trust, an irrevocable trust or a charitable trust to assist you in reducing your estate taxes. You can also use other methods to transfer assets that are flexible and faster than outright fits or gifts by will. Contact ABWE's Planned Giving Department or Spencer Jackson at spence@abwe.org
How can I donate my car or other vehicle for missionary use and get a tax deduction?
Missionaries have benefited from such gifts for years, and it is especially helpful for prefield missionaries or those on furlough. Such gifts are deductible for federal income tax purposes, but very specific rules for valuation and reporting must be followed. We provide this link to the official IRS information rather than explain those details here. If you desire to make a gift in this way, contact Pam Purrington (717-909-2383) for details on how to transfer title and what to expect from ABWE in acknowledging your donation. If you want us to publish the availability of a vehicle to our missionary family, contact Kathy Ness (717-909-2340). She will post it on our secure intranet site, and include your contact information so the missionary can deal directly with you.