Ways to Donate
Online
Click the green DONATE button. This will then prompt you to Select a Campaign from the drop down menu. If you want to support CMJC with a donation to be used where it is most needed, simply select "general" from the dropdown menu. Next, indicate the amount of your donation and if this is a one-time donation or if you are setting up a recurring donation.
Text-to-Give
Simply text 517-929-8878 and click on the link to reach the landing page. Select a ministry (“campaign”) where you want your donation to be directed to, indicate the amount you want to give and then click on DONATE. Follow the prompts to sign in to your account if you have one or proceed to set up a new account.
Write a Check
The easiest way for you to give to Compassionate Ministries of Jackson County (CMJC) is to simply write a check. Make the check payable to Compassionate Ministries. On the memo line indicate the campaign you would like to have the funds directed to. For example, donations to Pantry help support the community pantries that partner with CMJC. If you want to support CMJC with a donation to be used where it is most needed, simply indicate General on the memo line. Once you have completely filled out your check, you can drop it off at our office or mail it to Compassionate Ministries at 3737 Clinton Road, Jackson, MI 49201.
Memorial Gifts
We are all called to show compassion and share with our community. There are many ways to bring others into the compassionate giving circle. Donations can be made by mail or online and can share the love of others through memorial gifts in honor of family and loved ones who have passed and tribute gifts made in honor of others who we wish to acknowledge.
Donations As Gifts or Milestone Achievements
Donations can also be made in-lieu of traditional gifts such as birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, etc. Also, milestone achievements of all kinds can be reasons to donate to CMJC to show compassion and to honor a special person or organization in our lives. Write a check and indicate on the memo line or with a separate letter that you are making a donation “In honor of…”. If you give on-line, select the “In honor of…” campaign and let us know via email (hello@cmjackson.org) who your donation is to honor or simply call us (517-395-2652) or write us (Compassionate Ministries, 3737 Clinton Rd., Jackson, MI 49201).
Donor Advised Fund
A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a charitable investment account for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations you care about. When you contribute cash, securities, or other assets to a DAF you are generally eligible to take an immediate tax deduction. Then those funds can be invested for tax-free growth, and you can recommend grants to any eligible IRS-qualified public charity. Donor advised funds are the fastest growing charitable giving vehicle in the United States because they are one of the easiest and most tax-advantageous ways to give. Donor advised funds are available from most of the larger investment companies like Fidelity Charitable. First you establish a donor advised fund. Once funded, you arrange for grants to be given through the fund manager to Compassionate Ministries or another qualified charity. One benefit of using a DAF is that you can pre-fund several years of donations. The amounts given to the charities are then spread out over a timeframe that you control.
Qualified Charitable Distribution or QCD
Are you taking the required minimum distribution from your IRA? If so, you may be able to lower your taxable income with a qualified charitable distribution or QCD to Compassionate Ministries of Jackson County. A QCD allows individuals who are 70 ½ years old or older to donate to one or more charities directly from a taxable IRA instead of taking their required minimum distributions. This can save you big time on your taxes while making a big time difference with your charitable donation. To make a QCD, work with your IRA administrator and have them pay some or all of your required minimum distribution to Compassionate Ministries. Typically this is done with a check or funds transfer from the IRA administrator directly to Compassionate Ministries. Check with your tax and financial advisors as well as your IRA administrator on the specifics of making a QCD.
Estate Plan
Have you considered making Compassionate Ministries of Jackson County a part of your estate plan? You don’t have to have Warren Buffett Bucks to make a significant difference with your estate. By naming Compassionate Ministries as a beneficiary in your will, you can help ensure our strength and ability to compassionately meet the needs of your community, even after you have entered your life everlasting in eternity. There are certain documents you will need to have in place in order to give directions to your estate administrator. Therefore, it is important for you to seek legal advice on the proper way to make sure your wishes are carried out and your estate can make the difference you intended.
Life Insurance Beneficiary
When was the last time you checked on your life insurance policy to make sure the coverage amount is right and the beneficiaries are correct? If you’ve checked and found you have more than enough coverage to meet the needs of your family, did you consider naming Compassionate Ministries of Jackson County as a beneficiary for some or all of your excess life insurance? There are certain documents you will need to have in place in order to give directions to your insurance carrier. Therefore, it is important for you to seek advice on the proper way to make sure your intentions are carried out and your insurance proceeds can make the difference you intended.
IRA Beneficiary
You’ve worked hard and prepared for your life in retirement by funding your Individual Retirement Account. What if you have planned so well that your IRA will actually outlive you? One way to make sure your IRA and the funds you worked so hard to accumulate can go on making a difference after you have entered your life everlasting in eternity is to name Compassionate Ministries of Jackson County as a beneficiary to your IRA. There are certain documents you will need to have in place in order to give directions to your IRA administrator. Therefore, it is important for you to seek advice on the proper way to make sure your intentions are carried out and your accumulated, but unspent, IRA can make the difference you intended.
Employer Matching Program
Do you know if your employer has a Matching Donations program in place? Many local companies do, including Consumers Energy. If you are working and you are, or plan to, make donations to Compassionate Ministries, contact your employer’s Human Resource department to see if the company has a Matching Donations program in place. If they do, make sure you follow the guidelines established so that you can multiply the impact of your donation. If your employer does not have a program, encourage them to set one up.
Appreciated Stock
Periodically, we all should take stock in our lives and recommit to being all that God created us to be. At CMJC, we also take stock periodically, as in shares of publicly traded companies like Consumers Energy! One way to support the efforts of CMJC and at the same time save cash while maximizing the benefits of a rising stock market, is to gift appreciated stock to CMJC. By gifting appreciated stock, you as the donor will avoid having to report capital gains on the appreciated stock and you may be able to take an immediate charitable deduction. Mechanics of donating stock are intricate but not overly complicated. Consult with your tax and financial advisor as well as the custodian of the stock you are donating. We are familiar with receiving stock donations
