Giving
Memorials and Honorariums
Do you have someone special that you’d like to honor or remember in a meaningful way?
A gift to Michigan Lutheran Seminary is a powerful way to impact the lives of our students, as well as to recognize someone you love or care about.
What’s an honorarium? Honorariums are gifts given in “honor” of a living person. Honorariums can honor someone special for a birthday, anniversary or special occasion. Perhaps you’d like to honor a parent who was committed to Christian education, an MLS graduate or a teacher who had a meaningful impact on your life. You will receive a gift thank you letter for your honorarium and, if you desire, we will send an acknowledgement (gift amount not listed) to the person you are honoring.
What’s a memorial? Memorials are gifts given in “memory” of someone who has died. Memorials are a powerful statement about the value of Christian education and the legacy of a loved one called to their heavenly home. You will receive a gift thank you letter for your memorial and, if you desire, we will send an acknowledgement (gift amount not listed) to those you wish us to notify.
How are memorials and honorariums used? Memorials and honorariums can be directed for any purpose you desire including MLS Foundation long term endowment, student assistance, named scholarship funds, areas of academics or music or other designated projects. If no designation is selected, gifts are used for student assistance.
Who may I contact if I have questions? Don’t hesitate to contact Pastor Peter Snyder with any questions. You can call him at 989-799-7555 or email him at pjs@mlsem.org.
Year-End Giving Strategies
All gifts to the MLS Foundation, whenever they are given, benefit the ministry of MLS, as do gifts to other institutions. However, the year's end gives you a final opportunity to reduce current-year income taxes. There are also different options to consider. Some gifts can provide particularly attractive tax benefits, while others can combine these benefits with an income stream for life.
For some smart year-end giving startegies download this pdf file.
2007 Thankoffering Gift Match
When the Synod in convention reaffirmed the importance and priority of the ministerial education system, a donor was moved to express thanks by offering to match other Thankoffering gifts made to the MLS Foundation. Specifics of the amount available to MLS can be found here: Thankoffering gift match
Simply Giving
Simply Giving® is an automated giving program designed to help you conveniently and consistently contribute to a Lutheran congregation or institution or to pay tuition at a Lutheran school. Through Simply Giving®, your gifts or tuition payments are made through a pre-authorized withdrawal from your bank account or credit card. You determine the frequency of your automatic gift—weekly, semi-monthly or monthly—the option is yours. Your gift or payment is deposited into the recipient's bank account on the same day it is withdrawn from your account—at no cost to you or the recipient. You can also make convenient contributions to the MLS Foundation through the Simply Giving® program. Because of your planned giving and ongoing stewardship, MLS benefits from steady, more predictable revenues throughout the year. This helps the MLS Foundation to better meet its financial goals and development objectives.
To participate, download and print the enrollment form Simply Giving® Individual Enrollment Form (PDF, 58K) and return it to:
MLS Foundation
2777 Hardin St Ste 4
Saginaw, MI 48602-3710
Long Term
These gifts are designated for the long-term investments to attain the $25 million goal. For example, the MLS Foundation can legally be made the beneficiary of a trust or of a life insurance policy. A financial planner can assist you in this type of planning. The Foundation office can help you find a planner if you don't already have one.
Short Term
These gifts make our immediate annual budget goal possible. We are thankful for the gifts we have received. You can increase your gift by taking advantage of the Thrivent Giving Plus Program. Forms are available on the Foundation website. Currently, we deposit the matching funds into our long-term investment accounts.
Privacy Policy
Please refer to the MLS Foundation Privacy Policy
Thrivent Giving Plus Program
Your financial gift to the Foundation can accomplish even more. Through the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Gift GivingPlus Program, your gift will be enhanced by Thrivent Financial. It's an opportunity to increase your support through your membership in Thrivent Financial.
View and print the form, fill it out and mail it with your donation to the MLS Foundation. The check must be made out to MLS.
Thrivent Matching Challenge Grant
It was reported in December that MLS met its goal of increasing the number of Thrivent matching gifts in 2005. This meant that MLS would receive a portion of a large grant. The amount received was $1,445.00. Again, thank you to everyone who participated!
Other Promotions
Other promotions the the MLS Foundation offers is "Light Up A Student's Life", Commemorative Bricks, Celebration Boxes, the Cardinal Corner, MyGarb.com, Thrivent Giving Plus Program, Meijer Community Rewards and Target Take Charge of Education.
Questions?
Please contact the MLS Foundation
(989) 793-7511 or
toll free (866) MLS-WELS
kss@mlsem.org
