Gifts That Cost You Nothing Now

Gifts in a Will or Trust and Gifts by Beneficiary Designation are two easy to make gifts that will impact the next generation of Christian leaders — and they don’t cost anything now. Click the tabs below to learn more.
 
 
 

Gifts in a Will

A gift in your will is one of the easiest ways to create your legacy of empowering our ministry to provide hope and help in Jesus’s name.

  • No cost: Costs you nothing now to give in this way;
  • Flexible: You can alter your gift or change your mind at any time and for any reason;
  • Lasting impact: Your gift will create your legacy in advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, now and for generations to come.

4 simple ‘no-cost-now’ ways to give in your will

1. Making a general gift in your will Leaves a gift of a stated sum of money in your will or living trust. For example, you might decide to include a gift for Dallas Theological Seminary in the amount of $10,000. It’s considered to be ‘general’ because it doesn’t specify from where the money comes.
2. Giving the remainder of an estateLeaves what is left over after all other debts, taxes, and other expenses have been paid.
3. Giving a specific amount You may want to tithe your estate, leaving a specific dollar amount, percentage, fraction, or specific items (collections, art, books, jewelry, and so on).
4. Making DTS a contingent recipient Leaves a stated amount or share only if a spouse, family member or other loved one is no longer living. In other words, your gift is contingent upon whether or not that person is still living.

You can mix these no-cost ways together. For example, you might consider leaving a specific percentage (such as 50%) of the residual to Dallas Theological Seminary contingent upon the survival of a parent.

View Sample Language for Your Will or Trust

I invite you to contact me so we can chat about easy ways to make an impact at no current cost to you.

We know that finding the best ways to make an impact for generations to come can be overwhelming. That’s why we offer our Estate Planning Service to help you consider how you want to be remembered. Request our free guide to see if this service is right for you.
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Gifts by Beneficiary Designation

An Easy ‘No-Cost-Now’ Way to Give

It’s easy to put your bank accounts, retirement funds, insurance policies, and more to use in creating a world impacted by Dallas Theological Seminary — and it costs nothing now.

By naming Dallas Theological Seminary as a primary or secondary beneficiary of these assets, you promote quality theological education, impacting lives for future generations. Your gift has a tremendous effect on those in need, at home and around the world – the impact your gift makes through Dallas Theological Seminary becomes your personal legacy to the world.

Potential benefits of gifts by beneficiary designation:

  • Reduce or eliminate taxes on retirement assets;
  • Reduce or avoid probate fees;
  • No cost to you now to give;
  • You extend your impact well into the future through the mission of Dallas Theological Seminary.

To name Dallas Theological Seminary as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, contact your bank or insurance company to see whether a change of beneficiary form must be completed.

How to change a beneficiary designation

1. Login to your account or request a Change of Beneficiary Form from your custodian (the business holding your money or assets).
2. Follow the links to change your beneficiary or fill out the form.
3. Be sure to spell the name of our organization properly: Dallas Theological Seminary
4. Include our tax identification number: 75-0827421
5. Save or submit your information online or return your Change of Beneficiary Form.

Types of Funds to Give

A gift of Retirement Funds (beneficiary of your retirement plan)
A gift of funds remaining in your bank accounts, brokerage accounts or certificate of deposit (CD)
Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) residuals

Giving Toolkit

I’m Here to Help

To train a new generation of ministry leaders, contact Scott Talbot, Executive Director, at (214) 887-5190 or stalbot@dts.edu.