Generally accepted wisdom is not always the
best advice. Take the maxim that “A bird in the
hand is worth two in the bush.” It implies that
holding onto something, having it in your
hands, is generally better than the prospect of
having even more. When it comes to financial
matters, some choose to place great stock in
the wisdom of this little proverb. But as this
booklet will show, there is a way to make a
financial gift and actually gain something sub-
stantial in return – benefits that are the direct
result of letting go of something, rather than
holding onto it.
Another maxim worth re-examining: if you
give away something, you have less for yourself.
Actually there are ways to give to important
charities such as ours and, at the same time,
increase your current income. Careful planning
combined with prudent investing can increase
the resources available for both you and your
favorite charities.
One gift plan that allows you to give away
something and have more without high risk is
the charitable gift annuity. Certainly, a gift
annuity can provide you with very attractive
Exploring Gift
Annuities
Understanding the Basics
fixed payments and those payments are backed
by our general assets. You receive your income
stream on a regular basis for the rest of your
life, yet your gift also supports our work.
Little wonder that the charitable gift annuity
has become one of our most popular gift plans.
In this brochure we address some of the most
frequently asked questions about the charitable
gift annuity and how it might benefit you.
What Is a Charitable
Gift Annuity?
A charitable gift annuity is part charitable
gift and part annuity. At the time you fund your
gift annuity, we agree to pay you and/or anoth-
er beneficiary a percentage of the gift amount
over your designated beneficiary’s lifetime(s).
What Payout Rate
Can I Expect?
The payout rate depends on several factors.
The most important is the age of the annuitant
(the person who receives the annuity pay-
ments). Another important factor is whether
the income i