+ WHAT IS THE CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH FOUNDATION (CCCF)?
The Christ Community Church Foundation is a tax-exempt corporation formed to support the ministry of Christ Community Church in Carmichael, California. The mission of CCCF is to provide the opportunity for everyone to support God’s work beyond their lifetime through various gifts, estate planning, and planned giving. CCCF follows the principles and values of Christ Community Church, but only provides support for items and activities not included in the church budget.
+ ARE THERE ANY OTHER BENEFITS FOR LARGER GIFTS GOING TO A FOUNDATION?
Yes, the Foundation, acting as a separate support corporation for the church, will see that gifts are kept separate from the other church funds and used only for their designated purposes. The giver may want to have his or her gift used only for what is dear to his or her heart and this may be accomplished through the Foundation.
+ CAN I SPECIFY WHERE MY GIFT WILL BE USED?
Yes, the Board will work closely with donors and follow Foundation procedures to assure your wishes are honored.
+ WHO WILL MAKE THE DECISIONS ON THE FOUNDATION’S EXPENDITURES?
The Foundation is governed by a Board of seven Directors (four current members of Christ Community Church’s Consistory and three members of Christ Community Church). Members of the Board of Directors are approved by the Christ Community Church Session. Additional members include the Senior Pastor, who serves as an ex-officio board member.
+ WHO CURRENTLY SERVES ON THE BOARD?
Ron Haven (Chairman), Tery Baldwin, Terry Johnson, Mike Stodghill, Ann Newton, Lisa Eichinger, and Jack Pesola.
+ IF A GIFT IS GIVEN FOR FUTURE CHURCH NEEDS AND THE MONEY IS NOT USED IMMEDIATELY, HOW WILL THE MONEY BE INVESTED?
The Board of Directors will make the decisions on how best to safely invest the funds in a manner consistent with the Foundation Investment Policy. Any such investments will be made on a conservative basis with organizations which follow practices that are not in conflict with Biblical principles.
+ IS THE FOUNDATION PREPARED TO HANDLE MORE COMPLEX GIVING?
Yes. We encourage you to reach out to a board member if you have questions.
+ CAN THE FOUNDATION BE NAMED AS THE BENEFICIARY OF A LIFE INSURANCE POLICY?
Yes, naming the Christ Community Church Foundation as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy could produce desirable estate and income tax advantage.
+ CAN THE FOUNDATION ACCEPT MEMORIAL GIFTS?
Yes, giving can be made in memory of a loved one. It is also appropriate to make similar gifts in honor of living persons who you desire to show appreciation for something special they have done for others.
+ CAN THE FOUNDATION ACCEPT GIFTS OF SECURITIES OR REAL ESTATE?
Yes, many people have discovered the tax advantage of contributing appreciated securities or real estate to tax exempt organizations and the Christ Community Church Foundation is prepared to handle such gifts. Also, in estate planning it is sometimes beneficial to name charities as direct beneficiaries of IRA, 401(K), 403(b), or Keogh plans. The Foundation can and is also prepared to receive those gifts as well.
+ WILL THE MONEY THAT IS LEFT TO THE FOUNDATION AVOID TAXATION IN ONE’S ESTATE?
Yes, the Christ Community Church Foundation is a tax exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and amounts left to it will not be included in your taxable estate.
+ IS THE FOUNDATION MAINLY DESIGNED FOR THE ESTATES OF WEALTHY PEOPLE?
No, it is designed to be of assistance in helping people think through and plan the distribution of assets remaining when our life on earth has ended. We will all have estates— some large and some small— and the Christ Community Church Foundation can be used to transfer a percentage of what remains at death to further God’s work in the local church. Of course, large estates benefit more from the tax aspects of bequests to tax exempt organizations, but that is not the main reason the Foundation was formed. It is the commitment— not the gift— that is important.