Frequently Asked Questions
Here are several of the most frequently asked questions about giving to the IMHF or the Home. Have another question not covered here? Please contact us. We welcome your questions and are happy to help!
About Giving to IMHF
For a number of reasons:
- Not only are you performing a Masonic duty in providing for the relief of worthy, distressed Master Masons and their families, you are assisting in maintaining a tradition of care, concern and compassion which has existed in Franklin for nearly 90 years and has served more than 7,000 adult residents and presently has over 480 residents.
- Including charitable giving in your estate or other financial planning may provide significant tax benefits, potentially greatly reducing your tax liability to the government and still enabling you to provide for family and friends as well as your charitable interests.
Yes, if you itemize deductions – to a limited extent if you do not.
Yes, you may by specifying it for the program/purpose of your choice via a notation in the memo field of the check or in an accompanying letter. The Foundation has a form available upon request to assist donors in directing their gifts to a specific destination. As indicated above, a number of programs are available for your participation or support.
Gifts arriving without any specific target program or restriction are directed to an endowment fund.
Gifts given to the Foundation are invested in our Trust account. Funds given to the Home from the Trust account come only from the interest or income derived from the principal. Therefore the gifts are never spent.
About Giving Methods
The Foundation is happy to accept MasterCard and Visa donations.
Gifts may be made directly to the Foundation in several ways. Outright gifts may be made by check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). An outright gift of appreciated stock or other assets is also possible, potentially saving the donor capital gains taxes and possibly offering other tax advantages. As indicated above, a number of attractive charitable giving vehicles, which also offer tax advantages, are available to provide a “planned gift” at a later date. All gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Gifts via check may also be made through your lodge Secretary.
Probably the best known is the simple bequest provided in a will, which conveys a specific item, amount or percentage of an estate to the Foundation.
Others include:
- Charitable Gift Annuities;
- Charitable Remainder Trusts; and
- Charitable Lead Trusts.
Gifts of life insurance, retirement plans and other assets may also be made.
Each of these plans offers specific tax benefits which may vary with the donor’s circumstances; several offer an income stream to the donor and/or another individual. All of these “planned gifts” should be made with the assistance of the donor’s financial and or legal advisor(s). The Foundation staff is pleased to provide additional information about any or all of these vehicles and stands ready to be of assistance in the planning of such gifts.
There are plans available, which provide income for life, such as Charitable Gift Annuities, Pooled Income Funds and Charitable Remainder Trusts.
About Lodges & IMHF
- Request a Foundation Program to be put on in your Lodge to explain the Home and Foundation. (this qualifies for part of the Grand Master’s Award requirements.)
- Appoint a Foundation ambassador from your Lodge to report to the Lodge updates on the Home and Foundation.
- Keep the Grand Secretary promptly informed of all membership changes including address changes.
The long-range Benevolent Program is assuring the future of The Indiana Masonic Home. Your donations will help in supporting Phase III (1991-2000) of the Masonic Home Benevolent Program. Your check in the amount of $100 or more, payable to the Indiana Masonic Home Foundation, Inc., will help reach our Phase III goal of $43,000,000. Your are invited to mail your donations to:
THE INDIANA MASONIC HOME FOUNDATION, INC.
525 North Illinois Street
PO Box 44210 – Indianapolis, IN 46244-0210
You are requested to show on your check, Gold Card Sponsor, together with your Lodge or chapter name and number. Your permanent card identifying you as a Phase III donor “Gold Card Sponsor” will be mailed within 30 days. All donations are IRS tax deductible.