The Peale Society is for friends and members of Marble whose legacies will help assure the future strength and growth of this dynamic church.

For many years, members and friends have included Marble Collegiate Church in their financial and estate plans. These generous gifts have made the ministries of Marble Church much stronger.

To recognize individuals who have included Marble in their long-term plans, the Peale Society was formed in 1992. We invite you to consider joining the Peale Society by including Marble in your estate planning.

Named in honor of Marble’s long-term and noted Senior Minister, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, membership in the Peale Society has grown each year as more people recognize the importance of providing future support for the ministries and programs of Marble Collegiate Church.

As a thank you for your generosity in providing for the future of Marble Collegiate Church, you will become a member of the Peale Society. Membership involves no dues or obligations. It does allow us to thank and recognize you for the plans you have made, and include you in special events held for the Peale Society.

The Peale Society recognizes that with a strong and growing endowment, the future strength of Marble can be assured. Your participation helps inspire generosity in others.

An Introduction to The Peale Society

This video was from a special event on November 19, 2020, with Dr. Michael and Tena Bos, Sister Carol Perry, and others, hosted by Gary Thompson.

You can become a member of the Peale Society by:

• Including a Bequest to Marble in Your Will. Bequests are the most common way to remember Marble in estate planning, and the most important.

• Leaving a will or trust unwritten usually results in unwanted consequences; assets divided up by state statute, and large administrative and legal fees. Distributions mandated by the government make no provision for your charitable goals or values.

• To bequeath a specific sum, your will might include language such as: “I give and bequeath to Marble Collegiate Church in the City of New York the sum of $___.”

• To make a gift of a portion of your estate: “I give, devise and bequeath to Marble Collegiate Church in the City of New York ___% of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate.”

• A charitable bequest is deductible for estates subject to state and federal estate taxes; the savings can be significant.

• Naming Marble the Beneficiary of a Life Insurance or Annuity Policy

• There are several ways to benefit Marble through gifts of life insurance. These include making Marble the owner and beneficiary of an existing policy. The current value of the policy is tax deductible, and any continuing premium payments are considered charitable contributions. If you no longer need a policy you own, you can make Marble the beneficiary of the policy.

• You can also purchase a new policy and make Marble the owner or beneficiary. Contributions of the premium payments are tax-deductible. You are able to “leverage” your gift to Marble and make a larger one than would otherwise be presently possible for you.

• Naming Marble as the Beneficiary of an IRA, 401(k) and/or Other Individual Retirement Plan

• Consider a 401(k) plan and/or individual retirement account (IRA) left to Marble either in whole or in part.

• Left as part of an estate, tax-deferred assets will be subject to income taxes, and perhaps estate taxes and, in some instances, generation-skipping taxes. Where qualified, however, naming Marble as a beneficiary of your retirement plan allows the entire amount of the gift to pass directly to the church, tax-free. Currently, donors older than 70 and a half may direct payments directly from their retirement plans to the church, without the sums being taxed to the donor. The transfer must take place directly between the plan and the church.

• Charitable Gift Annuity

• A Charitable Gift Annuity is a contract between you and a charity that provides guaranteed fixed payments for life. You receive a charitable deduction at the time of funding the Charitable Gift Annuity, and the annual payment percentage is based on your age at the time the gift is made. In addition, a portion of each payment is tax-free. At death, the charity receives the balance of the annuity.

• Establishing a Revocable or Irrevocable Charitable Remainder Trust, Lead Unitrust, or Annuity Trust for Marble

• The Charitable Remainder Trust (CRAT, CRUT, CLAT, CLUT) is an excellent charitable giving vehicle for some donors. It is an arrangement that provides for payments to you for life or a specified period of years. At the end of the Trust term, the remaining balance in the Trust is distributed to the qualified charities of your choice. With the CRT, it is possible to bypass capital gains tax on the sale of highly appreciated assets, generate an increase in income, receive a charitable income tax deduction, and possibly receive a reduction in estate taxes – all while fulfilling your philanthropic objectives for Marble.

• Private Foundations and Donor Advised Funds

• Many individuals and families have created family foundations or more recently, donor-advised funds. These are wonderful ways to benefit the church both now and in the future. Transfers to both types of vehicles are charitable gifts; the vehicles then benefit the charity at your direction.

Please call (212) 686-2770 or email Dr. Elise Brown, to learn more about these options or how you can give from these vehicles now and later.

Your Gift as Your Legacy

All gifts to Marble are deeply appreciated. Unrestricted gifts are always the most valuable because they provide the Church with the flexibility to meet whatever needs are most urgent at the time. If, however, you prefer to designate your bequest to benefit a particular program or to honor a loved one, please contact us in advance so we might assist you with the language and ensure your intentions are honored.

All inquiries to Marble Collegiate Church about planned giving will be kept in the strictest confidence.

Marble Collegiate Church and its staff cannot render any type of legal or tax advice. Please consult your attorney or financial adviser before making planned giving decisions.

Become a Peale Society Member