Checks can be given in person during our Worship Service or
Mailed to the Church Office:
Rockpoint Community Church
400 North Haledon Ave
North Haledon, NJ 07508 

Gifts of appreciated investment equities (e.g., publicly traded stocks) can provide a tax efficient way to support the ministry of Rockpoint Community Church. When shares are transferred directly to the church’s custodial account, the donor avoids capital gains taxes that would apply if the shares were sold before donating.
Tax Advantages

• You may be eligible to deduct the fair market value of the donated shares on your federal income tax return, subject to IRS rules.
• The donation must be made from a taxable investment account, not a retirement account like an IRA (see Qualified Charitable Distributions for IRA gifts). Note: The IRS prohibits the church from assigning a dollar value to donated stock. You will receive an acknowledgment of the stock name and number of shares donated. You (and your tax advisor) determine the value for deduction purposes.

What to Know

• Shares must transfer directly to the church’s custodial brokerage account to qualify for tax advantages.
• The church liquidates the shares upon receipt, and proceeds are used to support ministry.
• You’ll receive a written acknowledgment of the stock name and number of shares donated. The gift value will appear on the trade confirmation provided by your investment firm.

Steps to Donate Stock

1. Consult your financial advisor to determine whether donating appreciated stock benefits your tax situation.
2. Notify the church of your intent to give. Contact Kim Veinberg at office@therockpoint.org
3. The church will provide written transfer instructions for your investment advisor or brokerage firm.

Timing
Stock gifts can be made any time during the year. However, if you’re planning a year-end gift to count toward your current tax year, we recommend initiating the transfer by December 20 to ensure timely processing.

Qualified Charitable Distribution Gifts
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a direct transfer of funds from
your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to a qualified charitable organization, such as our church. If you are 70½ years old or older, the IRS allows you to make charitable contributions directly from your IRA without including the amount in your taxable income.
Key Benefits of Making a QCD:

• Tax Advantages: A QCD can satisfy all or part of your Required Minimum
  Distribution (RMD) for the year if you are age 73 or older. Unlike regular IRA withdrawals, QCDs are excluded from your taxable income, which may lower your overall tax burden and help avoid effects on things like Social Security taxation or Medicare premiums.
• Annual Limit: You can donate up to $100,000 per year via QCDs (per individual). This means married couples filing jointly may each contribute up to $100,000 from their respective IRAs.
• Simple and Direct: Making a QCD is relatively straightforward. Simply contact your IRA custodian and request that the funds be sent directly to the church. If the funds are distributed to you first, they do not qualify as a QCD.

What to Know:

• The distribution must go directly from your IRA to the church.
• The church must be a qualified 501(c)(3) organization (which we are).
• You cannot claim the QCD as a charitable deduction, since it’s already excluded from income—but the tax benefit is often more valuable.

Steps to give a QCD gift:

1. Consult your financial advisor to determine whether donating appreciated stock benefits your tax situation.
2. Provide the following information to your IRA custodian:
   • Church Mailing Address:
     Rockpoint Community Church
     400 North Haledon, NJ 07508
   • Church Tax ID:22-2730428

If you have further questions about a QCD gift, please email our office administrator, Kim Veinberg: office@therockpoint.org

What Are Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)?
A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable giving vehicle that functions like a flexible, tax-advantaged investment account dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations. It is sponsored and managed by a public charity—typically a community foundation, financial institution, or specialized organization like Fidelity Charitable or the National Philanthropic Trust—that qualifies as a 501(c)(3) under IRS rules. Here’s how it works in simple steps:

1. Contribution: A donor (individual, family, or business) makes an irrevocable contribution to the DAF. This can include cash, stocks, real estate, or other appreciated assets. The donor receives an immediate income tax deduction in the year of the contribution—up to 60% of their adjusted gross income (AGI) for cash gifts and up to 30% of AGI for long-term appreciated securities—without paying capital gains taxes on the donated assets.
2. Investment Growth: The sponsoring organization invests the funds in a diversified portfolio chosen by the donor (or a default option). The assets can grow tax-free over time, potentially increasing the amount available for charity.
3. Grant Recommendations: The donor (or their advisors) can recommend grants to qualified 501(c)(3) charities at any time, but the sponsoring organization has final approval to ensure compliance. There are no required timelines for distributions, though some sponsors encourage a minimum annual payout (e.g., 5%).

DAFs have surged in popularity—they’re the fastest-growing form of charitable giving in the U.S.—because they simplify philanthropy, offer tax efficiency, and allow donors to bundle gifts, support multiple causes, and even involve family in decision-making.
Setting Up a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) for Church Giving
If you’d like to use a DAF to support your church (or other charities), it’s a straightforward process that can be completed in days or weeks, depending on the sponsor and asset type. As a donor, you’ll establish the fund, contribute assets for an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants to your church at your pace. Churches qualify as recipients since they’re typically 501(c)(3) organizations. Here’s a step-by-step guide based on standard practices:

1. Choose a DAF Sponsor: Select a public charity that administers DAFs. Options include national providers like Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, or Vanguard Charitable (low fees, easy online setup); community foundations (local focus); or faith-aligned ones like the Presbyterian Foundation or Deseret Trust Company (for LDS-affiliated giving). Compare fees (often 0.6-1% annually), minimums ($0-$25,000 initial contribution), and investment options. Faith-based sponsors may prioritize religious causes.
2. Open Your DAF Account: Contact the sponsor via their website or phone for a consultation (often free). Complete an online application, which includes naming your fund (e.g., “Smith Family Faith Fund”), designating yourself (and family/successors) as advisors, and selecting an initial investment strategy (e.g., conservative stocks or bonds). This takes 15-30 minutes and can be done digitally. No legal fees are needed, unlike private foundations.
3. Make Your Initial Contribution: Transfer cash, stocks, mutual funds, real estate, or even cryptocurrency to the DAF. You’ll get an immediate tax receipt for the fair market value, qualifying for deductions up to 60% of AGI for cash or 30% for appreciated assets (no capital gains tax). Use the sponsor’s forms for non-cash gifts, which may require appraisals for large items. Funds are irrevocable once contributed.
4. Invest and Grow the Fund: The sponsor invests your assets tax-free. You can recommend changes to the portfolio annually, allowing growth before granting.
5. Recommend Grants to Your Church: Log in to your online portal anytime to suggest grants (minimums like $50). Provide your church’s name, EIN (22-2730428), and purpose (e.g., “roof repair fund”). The sponsor reviews and approves (usually quick for verified 501(c)(3)s), then sends the check directly to the church. You can grant anonymously or in your name, and there’s no deadline—though some sponsors suggest 5% annual payouts.

From time to time, a particular opportunity arises to help Rockpoint with a particular project or item that will help serve a need or facilitate a new ministry goal. Contact office@therockpoint.org or Pastor Erik at pastorerik@therockpoint.org to learn if there are particular opportunities.