Christmastime is popular for year-end gifting. As we sit down with our checkbooks, we gift our loved ones, service providers, customers, and of course, our favorite charities. The Catholic Foundation for Northwest Indiana (CFNWI) is host for over a dozen endowment funds that have been named for the donor or a loved one who has passed. Family members choose the Holidays to remember loved ones and offer generous financial gifts in their memory.

Catholic Charities Endowment Fund is one of the most popular to gift at Christmas because of the good works that they do. The Women’s Care Center, a program of Catholic Charities, takes care of mothers at risk, walking with them through their pregnancy, helping them prepare for the arrival of their baby, teaching them how to be good parents, and offering guidance in career development. When we think of Baby Jesus born 2000 years ago, we have the opportunity to offer care and love to babies who are coming into the world in our century. Because it is an endowment, the CFNWI provides a stream of income from now into eternity.

You can make a tax-free charitable donation directly from your IRA to the Catholic Foundation for Northwest Indiana.  Distributions of up to $100,000 per year per taxpayer are allowed without an income tax assessment if the donor is age 70 ½ or older. Charitable distributions may exceed the amount of the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).  Stocks and bonds are fantastic ways to donate.  By making a gift of appreciated securities, you may avoid paying capital gains tax that may otherwise be due if you sold these assets.  Consult your financial advisor about tax-advantaged charitable gifts or call CFNWI at 219-769-9292, x. 268.