Gift in Wills

Learn how to make a gift in a will to support the work of the United Church of Christ, whether a local congregation, conference, or the national setting.

Gift in Wills: As Easy as 1, 2, 3

Thank you for considering a gift in your will to the United Church of Christ. Gifts can be made to all settings of the United Church of Christ, including Local Churches, Conferences, and the National Setting. Your gift will sustain the work of the UCC for a more just world. Such generosity will leave a lasting impact on our Christian movement and touch the lives of your neighbors, near and far.

For gifts to Local Churches or Conferences, contact the office of the particular entity for instructions as to precise legal name and address. Follow these three steps to make bequests to the United Church of Christ National Setting. Your gift, received by the United Church of Christ Board, will be distributed equally to the ministries of the National Setting unless otherwise specifically designated (see below). This includes Local Church Ministries, Justice & Witness Ministries, Wider Church Ministries, and the ministries of the Office of the General Minister and President and United Church of Christ Board.

  1. The majority of estate gifts come as bequests because these gifts can be easily created as part of a will. You can also make a charitable bequest by designating the United Church of Christ Board as the “payment on death” (POD) of a bank or stock account.When writing your will, decide if you want to make a bequest as either a percentage of your estate, a specific dollar amount, or contingent on the primary beneficiaries.The standard legal wording for percentage bequest is:“I give and bequeath ________ percent (________%) of my estate to the United Church of Christ Board (EIN: 34-1927041), having an office at 700 Prospect Ave., E., Cleveland, OH 44115, for its uses and purposes.”The standard legal wording for a specific dollar amount bequest is:“I give and bequeath to the United Church of Christ Board (EIN: 34-1927041), having an office at 700 Prospect Ave., E., Cleveland, OH 44115, the sum of ______ ($______) for its uses and purposes.”The standard legal wording for a contingent bequest is:“If any or all of the above-named beneficiaries do not survive me, then I hereby give the share that otherwise would be theirs to the United Church of Christ Board
    (EIN: 34-1927041), having an office at 700 Prospect Ave., E., Cleveland, OH 44115, for its uses and purposes.”
  2. Unrestricted gifts to the United Church of Christ National Setting should be designated: “to support the area of greatest need in the life of the United Church of Christ.” We welcome gifts to support Wider Church Ministries, Local Church Ministries, Justice & Witness Ministries, and the Office of General Minister and President. Please consider discussing any designated gifts with the Office of Philanthropy, Technology, Identity, and Communication before finalizing your will.

3. Finally, share your story with the United Church of Christ. We learn generosity from each other. Your story can inspire others to include a planned gift. The amount of your planned gift and the beneficiaries can of course remain anonymous, but other people will be encouraged to make a planned gift by hearing about you, and the hopes and gratitude that led you to make your gift.

The Office of Philanthropy, Technology, Identity, and Communication (OPTIC) will gladly answer questions about making a gift in your will and explain how your gift will impact our Christian movement. We can also answer your questions about how to make restricted gift or gifts of real assets, like real estate, in keeping with the Gift Acceptance Policy of the United Church of Christ.

Once you decide how to make your bequest, consult with your legal and/or financial advisor to make your bequest intention clear.

For more information please contact:

Development Office
OPTIC – United Church of Christ 700 Prospect Ave. E.
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(800) 846-6822
giving@ucc.org