Giving Information

Outright Gifts

Operating Fund

We endeavor to keep school tuition and fees to the minimum levels practical in order to reach as many children as possible with a Christian education. Approximately two-thirds of our total operating expenditures are for faculty/staff compensation. A large portion of our total educational costs are actually offset by our staff’s willingness to serve at pay levels far below those of the public sector.  Each year donors help close the gap which normally exists between our operating needs and tuition and other revenue income. For the 2005-2006 year we must raise approximately $750,000 to fully fund our operations. Much of our operational giving comes through regular monthly contributions, now made easier for our donors by means of automatic, electronic transfers from their banks.

Annual Projects

Many important school projects that we are not able to include in our annual operating budget are planned into our Annual Project Fund. These projects are underwritten by families, relatives, and friends that desire to make near-term, practical improvements in the classroom or campus of their choice. Needed projects are identified by school principals and their staffs, are coordinated with the Superintendent and Facilities offices, and are then promoted by the Foundation. Many school families and friends have found these Annual Projects a gratifying means to get involved in helping in a special way.

Endowment Funds

The Legacy Ministries Foundation continues to seek gifts to our LMI/DCS Endowment Funds. Funds already established and growing include the DCS Faculty and Staff Endowment providing assistance to needy staff families, the DCS Educating for Excellence Endowment providing for general operating costs including staff compensation, the DCS Educating for Eternity Endowment providing financial aid for needy families, and the LMI Legacy Endowment providing for general LMI operating costs.

Capital Projects Obedient stewardship of these incredible campuses and fulfillment of our God-given vision will require development of additional essential facilities on these premises. A strategic development plan has identified facility developments by priority. Special capital campaigns are conducted periodically to raise funds for these major construction projects. Projects within the capital campaigns are usually arranged according to the priorities set by the governing board and senior leadership team.

Organizational Endowment Funds hold the assets for nonprofit organizations and make planned, periodic distributions to the organizations.  Donors may contribute to the following endowment funds:

The Legacy Ministries International “Legacy Endowment Fund” provides distributions to Legacy Ministries International for general operating costs.

The Dayton Christian Schools “Faculty and Staff Endowment Fund” provides distributions to Dayton Christian Schools to meet the needs of faculty and staff who sacrificially serve the families of children enrolled at the various Dayton Christian Schools campuses.  The benefits are provided to employee families who have significant financial needs above and beyond standard salaries and benefits.

The Dayton Christian Schools “Educating for Excellence Endowment Fund” provides distributions to Dayton Christian Schools for general operating costs including employee compensation, special programs, curriculum development, and many other purposes that make it possible to provide a quality, Christ-centered education so that students can reach their potential spiritually, academically, physically, and socially.  This fund directly influences recruitment and retention of quality faculty and staff.

The Dayton Christian Schools “Educating for Eternity Endowment Fund” provides distributions to Dayton Christian Schools for tuition assistance to Christian families desiring a Christian education for their children.   Donors may give to this general tuition assistance fund or may establish a special fund and participate in the naming of that fund.  The latter fund may be used as a memorial fund in memory or in honor of family members, or may be named using other standards.

Planned Gifts

Bequests

You may choose to designate in your will that the Foundation receive a gift at your death.  You may designate the gift of a specific asset, a percentage of your estate, a specific dollar amount, or the residue of your estate.  You may specify how the gift is to be used.

Revocable Living Trust

You may use the trust to name the Foundation as beneficiary of the trust.  You may designate a specific asset, a percentage of your estate, or a specific dollar amount.  As with a bequest through your will, you may specify the use of the gift.

Retirement Plan

Income taxes are required on distributions from a decedent’s retirement plan such as a profit sharing plan, Section 401(k) plan, or IRA.  Everything else being equal, it is generally best to name the Foundation as a beneficiary of a retirement plan vehicle rather than to bequest other assets to the Foundation.  Other assets are generally free from income tax at death, and hence taxable retirement plans are often the best choice in lieu of bequests of other assets.

Life Income Plans

There are two basic versions of life income plans, though there are multiple variations of the basic versions which can accommodate specific objectives of the donor.  Life income plans are simple to establish. 

Charitable Gift Annuities

You may complete a gift (cash or appreciated asset) to the Foundation in return for a contracted payout of lifetime income for yourself or others whom you love.

You may receive a significant federal income tax deduction and a substantial percentage of the income payouts will be free of federal income tax.  The dual tax benefit, along with the substantial and secure income stream, make this form of planned gift very attractive to senior adults.  If you fund the gift with appreciated assets, you will bypass a portion of the capital gains tax, and the remainder of the capital gains tax may be deferred over a period of years. 

Charitable Remainder Trusts

By making a gift (cash or appreciated assets) to a charitable trust and naming the Foundation as beneficiary of the trust, you or a loved one may receive income for life or for a period of years.   The income can be a fixed dollar amount or a variable amount as a percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets.  You may receive a significant federal income tax deduction.  If you fund the gift with appreciated assets, you may totally bypass all capital gains tax.  Upon termination of the trust, the Foundation will receive the balance of the trust assets.

Remainder Interests

In return for deeding a residence or farm to the Foundation while retaining a right to live in the home or on the farm, you can receive a substantial income tax deduction.   The life estate gift is created quite simply with a deed of property to the Foundation.  At the termination of the life estate, the Foundation can sell the property and use the proceeds to support a worthwhile cause.  Through a gift of your home or farm, you  may also combine the benefits of retaining the right to live at home while receiving lifetime income from a charitable gift annuity. 

Charitable Lead Trust

A charitable lead trust may be an ideal means to reduce estate taxes and provide an income stream for a worthwhile charitable cause.  This form of a trust pays income to the Foundation for a lifetime or for a period of years.  At the termination of the trust, the remaining assets are transferred back to you or other beneficiaries such as family members.   This form of gift may be particularly advantageous for an asset that is expected to greatly increase in value during the term of the trust.