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Using charitable gift annuities to share joy

July 2025

Generous people like Thrivent Charitable donor Eloise enjoy finding new ways to give.

She grew up on the farmstead her great grandparents had settled on well over a hundred years ago. “I was raised during the Great Depression when we were so poor I didn’t even have a piece of gum,” she recalls.

This history, combined with God’s blessings, have inspired Eloise to give back in many thoughtful and creative ways.

For her 90th birthday party this year, Eloise will ask friends for donations to area causes instead of birthday cards. She established scholarships for high school students in Future Farmers of America and college students studying veterinary science in her husband’s memory.

“To whom much is given, much is expected,” she says, paraphrasing a verse from the Book of Luke. “I want to do all I can to support the Lord’s work and share joy.”

When a financial advisor gave an overview of charitable giving options at her senior living community, Eloise wanted to learn more. Her conversations with the advisor blossomed into a friendship—and discussions about charitable gift annuities (CGAs).

She says, “Gift annuities are a win-win. I’m able to get a tax deduction, and I can share the income I receive with even more charities.”

Eloise was widowed when her husband of 64 years passed away. “With no children, I don’t have anyone to tell me what to do,” she says with a smile. “I’m pleased to be able to distribute funds to help other people.”

How charitable gift annuities work
Through a charitable gift annuity, you can give gifts of cash, securities or mutual funds, which Thrivent Charitable then invests for the future benefit of the causes you cherish. You or family members or friends receive quarterly payments regardless of investment performance. Payments can begin immediately or at a future specified date and may be partially tax-free.

Part of your gift is eligible for a charitable income tax deduction in the year it’s made. And by reducing the size of your estate, you may decrease your estate’s tax liability. Upon the death of income recipients, the remaining value of the gift is directed to your donor-advised fund to provide long lasting support to your favorite causes and charities.

Talk with your financial advisor about how a CGA could be the solution you want or  email our Charitable Giving Services team to learn more.

Thrivent provides advice and guidance through its Financial Planning Framework that generally includes a review and analysis of a client’s financial situation. A client may choose to further their planning engagement with Thrivent through its Dedicated Planning Services (an investment advisory service) that results in written recommendations for a fee.

This donor’s experience may not be the same as other donors and does not indicate future performance or success. Payout rates, charitable deductions and other benefits vary based on a number of factors.