There are many ways to make a contribution to MSIA.

Gift of Securities

Donating appreciated securities, such as stocks or bonds, is another way to make a donation to MSIA that can also be tax-effective for US taxpayers. Transferring stocks, mutual funds or bonds is easily done through your broker or mutual fund custodian with what is called a “DTC transfer” to MSIA’s brokerage account. If you would like to give in this way or get more information, please contact Mark Lurie

NOTE: There are special US tax rules for valuing a charitable gift of stock. The value of a gift of stock is determined by taking the average between the high and low stock price on the date the gift is received by MSIA. Mutual fund shares are valued using the closing price for the fund on the date of the gift.

Gift of Real Property

A contribution of real property can generate funds for the church or even be used to benefit the organization. MSIA’s beautiful Lake Arrowhead property was originally generously donated as a gift and has been used for retreats, trainings and workshops that have benefited many thousands of people over the years. A gift of real estate that is fully depreciated or idle and no longer needed by its owner can make a significant contribution to support MSIA. Please contact Mark Lurie if you have interest in making this type of gift.

Gifts in kind

Contributions of tangible items are appreciated and can be put to good use to by the church for its operations or to assist others through the Heartfelt Foundation. MSIA accepts donations of vehicles, furnishings, household items, appliances, and other goods.   Please check with us first to be sure the donated gift is a good fit for our needs. We can often arrange pick up in the Los Angeles area if you can’t drop off the items. You can contact Mark Lurie to arrange for a gift in kind donation.

Gifts in kind include not only tangible items, but can also be utilizing your specialized talents. If you would like to volunteer and share your skills and expertise with us, check out our volunteer page.

Bequest in your will

You can designate MSIA as a beneficiary in your will when you do your estate planning. There is a lot of flexibility on how you can do this, e.g., as a percentage of your estate, a gift of a specific dollar amount or a specific asset, or you can make a gift from the balance or residue of your estate.

You can give to MSIA without any conditions or designate where the bequest is to be applied, such as for the John-Roger Legacy Fund or Heartfelt Foundation. When designating MSIA as a bequest beneficiary use this information:

The Church of the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness
3500 W. Adams Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA  90018

Federal Tax ID no. 23-7137833

Beneficiary Designation Gifts

You can designate MSIA as a beneficiary of a retirement, investment or bank account, or your life insurance policy.   When you establish these types of accounts, or at any time in an established account, you have the option to designate MSIA as a full, partial or contingent beneficiary.

Charitable Trusts

There are various types of trusts which allow you to transfer cash or appreciated property to fund a charitable trust that benefits both you and MSIA. Charitable Remainder Trusts provide you with income for life or a set term of years. A Charitable Lead Trust makes makes distributions to MSIA for a number of years after which you or your family receive the trust remainder at a substantial tax savings. Your tax professional can assist you to establish whether one of these trusts is a good financial approach for you.

Qualified Charitable Distributions

If you are at least age 70½ and have an IRA, you can make donations to a qualified charity (like MSIA) from your IRA without including the distribution as income. The donation is called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). In fact, it can count towards your required minimum distribution. The ability to give directly from your IRA and avoid reporting the income on your tax return is an advantage to taxpayers who don’t itemize deductions. Charitable contributions don’t save income taxes unless you itemize. A QCD saves income tax because the amount of the contribution is not shown as income. Lowering income can also help reduce the taxable amount of Social Security benefits and reduce the amount of the Medicare Surtax for taxpayers with higher incomes.

From IRS Publication 590-B (2017), Publication 590-B (2017), Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs): A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) is generally a nontaxable distribution made directly by the trustee of your IRA (other than a SEP or SIMPLE IRA) to an organization eligible to receive tax deductible contributions. You must be at least age 70½ when the distribution was made. Also, you must have the same type of acknowledgment of your contribution that you would need to claim a deduction for a charitable contribution. See Records To Keep in Pub. 526.

The maximum annual exclusion for QCDs is $100,000. Any QCD in excess of the $100,000 exclusion limit is included in income as any other distribution. If you file a joint return, your spouse can also have a QCD and exclude up to $100,000. The amount of the QCD is limited to the amount of the distribution that would otherwise be included in income. If your IRA includes nondeductible contributions, the distribution is first considered to be paid out of otherwise taxable income.

Amazon Smile

Your purchases on Amazon can support MSIA with their Amazon Smile charity program.

Direct your shopping through AmazonSmile