Ways of Saying “Thank You”

Creative Ways of Saying “Thank You”

By Ricky Warren, NCFCM

Originally published in the November 2014 issue of the Free Will Baptist magazine.

"And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

--From Edward Winslow of the Plymouth Colony

As a group, modern Free Will Baptists have a lot to be thankful for. Our heritage has been preserved by vigilant ministers, laypeople, and educators. Our homes, churches, and communities have advanced well beyond the poor rural context of their origin. Free Will Baptist ministries are continuing, despite economic adversity, through the generosity of our people. Free Will Baptists have a lot to be thankful for and many are seeking creative ways to express that gratitude. However, like the Pilgrims, many Free Will Baptists today find resources are limited, so a gift from their “abundance” requires some creativity. The North Carolina Foundation for Christian Ministries has assisted many good people in finding creative ways to say thank you from their own unrecognized “abundance.”

Creative Ways of Saying “Thank You”

One resource that is generally in abundance is time. For each person, there are twenty-four hours in a day. If used creatively, time can be used to say thank you in meaningful ways. Benjamin Franklin said, “Remember that time is money . . . waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both.” The Foundation can provide the method to turn time into monetary resources that can be used to express gratitude through a permanent legacy. Here are a few creative ways the Foundation can assist you in expressing gratitude in a significant and lasting way even if cash resources are limited.

Endowments

Through the Foundation, individuals, organizations, churches, etc. may establish an endowment – a pool of money that is never spent while its earnings are used to permanently support the causes that are important to the donor. With a small initial contribution now along with regular contributions over time, anyone can establish an endowment as a means of saying thank you.

Direct Funding of a Scholarship

Each year the Foundation awards thousands of dollars in the form of scholarships to assist students preparing for service as Free Will Baptist ministers. Cash gifts to scholarship funds of any size are welcomed and give donors the satisfaction expressing gratitude by touch lives for successive lifetimes through the work of effective Free Will Baptist ministers.

Non-Cash Donations

If cash is not available, other types of gifts may be accepted by the Foundation. These may include but are not necessarily limited to automobiles, equipment, real estate, stocks, bonds, life insurance, etc. Within IRS guidelines, such non-cash assets can be considered tax-exempt donations just like cash donations.

Bequests

Another creative way to express gratitude in a significant and lasting way is through bequests – gifts by will or trust. The Foundation can assist a person now with such planned giving for the future so that one can rest assured that even in death their charitable wishes will be carried out.

Charitable Gift Annuities

A charitable gift annuity with the Foundation provides a guaranteed income for the lifetime of one or two people in exchange for an initial cash donation. The initial gift is tax deductible and a portion of the annual distribution payments to the original donor are considered tax-free income. A charitable gift annuity is ideal for someone with cash on hand who needs to protect their assets, secure a guaranteed income, reduce their tax burden, and leave a lasting legacy.

Direct Funding of the Foundation

Supporting the Foundation itself is an ongoing way of saying thank you. Through a one-time direct gift to the Foundation or through an annual pledge, gifts of any amount can be used to ensure that good people are helped to do good things well into the future.

Conclusion

There are many creative ways to express gratitude and doing so in a lasting and significant way through the Foundation need not be out of reach of anyone. The ideas listed here are only examples; there are countless other ways that can be tailored to each person’s wishes and needs. For more information on saying “thank you” in a lasting and significant way, even if cash is limited, please contact the North Carolina Foundation for Christian Ministries, P.O. Box 210, Mount Olive, NC 28365-0210. Because the Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit Christian charitable organization, all contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible.