Monroe County United Ministries

Financial support is essential to the success of MCUM's programs. We receive funds from all levels of government, United Way of Monroe County , Opportunity House, local faith communities, and a variety of grants, but we would not be able to continue without financial support from individuals, companies, and groups in the community in the form of direct donations, participation in fundraising events, or donations to our endowment.

MCUM is a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN #: 35-1313090) and donations in many forms are tax-deductible. If you need more information about your giving options, please contact Rebecca Stanze , Development Coordinator, at (812) 339-3429 x15. If a financial contribution is not possible, consider learning more about the other ways you can support MCUM.

Your donation In action

Prepare Children for Success Our quality, affordable Childcare Program builds literacy skills, addresses developmental delays, develops social skills and generally prepares children for success in school.	Benefit the Community Children who participate in high-quality early childhood education programs such as ours are less likely to repeat grades, more likely to graduate, less likely to be involved in the justice system, and less likely to require government assistance as adults.
Assist People in Crisis The Emergency Services Program provides basic needs assistance to people in financial crisis. That crisis might have been caused by an illness, injury, divorce, unemployment, or just an unexpected expense such as a car or furnace repair. We help families through difficult times and encourage them to return to self-sufficiency.	Prevent Homelessness Our Emergency Services Program provides rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to those facing eviction or utility shutoff. By helping families maintain their home, we help them avoid the cascading challenges associated with homelessness - and the high costs associated with returning homeless households to stability.
Feed Adults and Children MCUM's Childcare Program provides a hot breakfast, lunch, and a snack each day, providing enrolled children with 75% of their nutritional needs. MCUM's Emergency Food Pantry distributes a three-day supply of food to those in crisis, providing three meals a day for each person in the household. Last year, MCUM distributed enough food to make 37557 meals.	Encourage Employment The Childcare Program provides dependable, affordable care for preschoolers, removing a significant barrier for low-income parents seeking employment or to continue their education. MCUM's Emergency Services Program can provide job-related clothing and meet other basic needs, helping people in crisis get back on their feet and return to self-sufficiency.

Making a Difference

Unrestricted donations, which are used where the need is greatest, are the most beneficial donations MCUM can receive. However, these examples show how your donation can make an impact on our Childcare and Emergency Services Programs:

$20... ...can buy a year's supply of pipe cleaners, googly eyes, or stickers for a childcare classroom.	$50... ...can purchase needed food items for the Emergency Food Pantry, most often meat or fruit.
$110... ...pays for milk for the Childcare Program for one week.	$200... ...keeps a family in their home by providing rent, mortgage, or utility assistance.
$600... ...provides a year's worth of field trips for preschoolers.	$1,920... ...subsidizes the enrollment of a low-income child for three months.
$4,500... ...mails a year's worth of newsletters, grant applications, and other correspondence.	$7,000... ...purchases paper and office supplies for a year for all programs.
$8,320... ...subsidizes the enrollment of a low-income child for one year.	$23,000... ...covers MCUM's annual utility costs for all programs.

Gifts by Cash or Check

If you would like to make a donation by check or cash, please stop by our office or mail your support to:

Monroe County United Ministries
827 W. 14th Court
Bloomington, Indiana 47404

You will receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donation within a few days.

Gifts by Credit Card

We can accept gifts by Mastercard or Visa over the phone at (812) 339-3429 x15 or in our office, 7:00am-5:30pm. You can also make a donation online using any credit card. One-time, monthly, quarterly, or annual donations can be made on this secure site.

If you would like to make a donation in honor or memory of a loved one, please include the necessary information in the comment box and notice of your gift will be sent as requested.

Gifts to MCUM's endowment

An endowment is usually a permanently held fund that generates interest income used to accomplish a goal. In MCUM's case, the goal is to fund the Childcare and Emergency Services Programs for as long as they are needed. We have an endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County and a fund that is managed by our Board of Directors. Donations can be made directly to the foundation (be sure to indicate that you would like your support to benefit MCUM) or sent to us with instructions to invest your donation in an endowment. Donating to an endowment is a great way to ensure your donation makes a lasting impact on the community.

Questions about Tax-Deductible donations?

Do you have questions about the tax-deductibility of your donations? What records do you need to keep? How do you value those items donated to Opportunity House? MCUM can't provide tax advice but we can provide a few resources for you. The IRS web site for donors contains lots of information on everything from documenting your donation to special donation opportunities. It also includes links videos and a slide show presentation intended to answer common questions about tax deductible donations.

Giving through your Estate Plan

Making charitable gifts through your estate plan (your will, trust, or other arrangement) allows you to balance your personal financial goals and your charitable interests, with significant tax benefits. Your estate plan gift can help to ensure MCUM's ability to respond to the needs of our neighbors in the future, as we have done for over 65 years. You may choose from a variety of planned gift arrangements, from simple bequests or beneficiary designations on retirement assets to more sophisticated forms such as charitable trusts.

Some of the options for giving through an estate plan are listed below. To discuss how an estate plan can benefit MCUM, please contact Rebecca Stanze , Development Coordinator, or Meri Reinhold , Executive Director, at (812)339-3429. You should also contact a financial advisor or attorney for more information on your giving options.

Bequests Giving to MCUM through your will is one of the simplest ways to make a planned gift. A bequest is a transfer of property by will – such as cash, stocks, bonds, real estate - and you may specify whether the use of the funds is unrestricted or restricted. In addition, a bequest to MCUM can save your estate a significant sum in tax payments if the estate is subject to federal estate tax. Here are just a few types of bequests: Specific Bequest: You bequeath a designated sum or specific assets to MCUM. Percentage Bequest: You determine the percentage of your estate that should be left to benefit MCUM. Residual Bequest: You direct that MCUM receive all, or a stated portion, of your estate after payment of all debts, taxes, expenses, and other bequests. Contingent Bequest: You name MCUM as the beneficiary of your estate if others named in your will are not living at the time of your death.	Restricted Bequests You can support a particular program or accomplish a specific goal with your bequest by making a restricted bequest. If you plan on making a restricted bequest to MCUM, please contact our Executive Director, Meri Reinhold at (812) 339-3429 x11. We can work with you to design a unique gift that will combine MCUM’s needs with your wishes. Restricted bequests can be structured in the same way as unrestricted: Specific Bequest: You bequeath a designated sum or specific assets to MCUM. Percentage Bequest: You determine the percentage of your estate that should be left to benefit MCUM. Residual Bequest: You direct that MCUM receive all, or a stated portion, of your estate after payment of all debts, taxes, expenses, and other bequests. Contingent Bequest: You name MCUM as the beneficiary of your estate if others named in your will are not living at the time of your death.
Suggested Bequest Language Unrestricted General Bequest I hereby leave [percentage of estate/dollar amount/residue of estate/percentage of residue] of my estate to Monroe County United Ministries Inc., a not-for-profit corporation in Bloomington, Indiana, to be used for the benefit of the organization in such manner as the board of directors may elect.	Suggested Restricted Bequest Language Restricted General Bequest I hereby leave [percentage of estate/dollar amount/residue of estate/ percentage of residue] of my estate to Monroe County United Ministries Inc., a not-for-profit corporation in Bloomington, Indiana, for the following restricted purpose:...
Gifts of Life Insurance Life insurance is a great way to make a larger gift to MCUM in the future by making smaller contributions in the present. Life insurance can be used in different ways. You may choose to name MCUM beneficiary of a policy or of part of a policy at any time – all you have to do is contact your insurance company. Although this does not allow an income tax deduction, an estate tax reduction is possible. MCUM may also be irrevocably named beneficiary and assigned ownership of a new or existing policy. If you do so, your gift will entitle you to an income tax deduction, and future premium payments will be tax deductible.	Gifts of Retirement Assets Because retirement plan assets are subject to heavy taxation, they are popular for charitable giving. If your IRA, TIAA-CREF, 401k or other qualified plans pass through your estate, your heirs must pay both income taxes and estate taxes (if applicable) as they receive distributions. As a tax-exempt organization, MCUM will benefit from 100% of your retirement asset donation. You may name MCUM as part or full beneficiary of one or more retirement plans or arrange for MCUM to be an alternative or contingent beneficiary on your retirement plan.
Charitable Remainder Trusts A charitable remainder trust can provide income to you for life, or for a specified term of years. You create the trust through the financial institution of your choice, and you may fund the trust with assets such as cash, securities, or real estate. A charitable remainder trust may qualify you for a current income tax deduction as well as capital gains tax avoidance on the property used to fund the trust. The trust pays you, or another non-charitable beneficiary of your choice, a minimum of 5% as income for life or for a term of years. Upon the death of the income beneficiary or the expiration of the term of years, the trust ends and the principal passes to MCUM. You can often avoid capital gains tax, increase income, and save estate taxes. There are two basic types of charitable remainder trusts, the CRAT and CRUT.	Charitable Remainder Trusts: Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust A Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT) pays the named beneficiaries a fixed dollar amount of not less than 5% of the trust’s initial value. This planned giving vehicle is great if you are looking for a stable, predictable stream of income. Once the CRAT has been set up, no additional contributions can be made, and the payout rate cannot be changed.
Charitable Remainder Trusts: Charitable Remainder Unitrust Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT) can provide you with variable income, based upon a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust, which is re-valued each year. You can add to your CRUT any time, and you may structure the trust to grow tax-free and defer the income until a later date if you wish. This trust vehicle is a highly flexible financial planning instrument.	Charitable Lead Trusts Charitable lead trusts provide current support to MCUM and subsequently transfer the remaining principal back to you, or to your family members, with little or no gift or estate tax. You receive a federal estate tax deduction equal to the estimated value of the annual trust payments to MCUM. You can specify the amount of income to be paid from the trust, name the beneficiaries, and indicate the length of time—either a certain number of years or your lifetime.

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