Ways to Give

In addition to online giving, there are many meaningful ways to support Sioux Falls Lutheran School and its mission. Many of these options may also provide unique tax advantages for you and your family. We encourage you to review the possibilities below and speak with your financial advisor, tax professional, or estate planner to determine what may be the best fit for your giving goals.

A gift to the Eagle Fund is a tax-deductible annual investment in the school. The SFLS Eagle Fund is the heart of annual giving and provides the flexibility to address unexpected needs, explore new opportunities, and remain competitive. The Eagle Fund helps ensure a critical margin of support for educational costs not fully funded through tuition, directly impacting students, teachers, classrooms, and the mission of SFLS.

When making your gift online, simply select the Eagle Fund option from the giving form. If giving by check or another method, please note “Eagle Fund” with your payment so your gift is directed accordingly. 

Cash gifts remain one of the simplest and most impactful ways to support SFLS. These may come from personal income, bonuses, tax refunds, maturing CDs, or other liquid assets.

Many donors prefer to give by check. Checks can be made payable to SFLS and mailed directly to the school or delivered to our office. This remains a simple and meaningful way to support the mission of Sioux Falls Lutheran School.

Scheduled giving is a convenient and impactful way to support SFLS over time. Many donors find that when their gift is divided over several months, they are able to give more than they originally thought possible.

You can set up a monthly, quarterly, or ongoing recurring gift that continues until you choose to make a change. Simply select your preferred recurring giving option on the online giving form to get started. 

• Convenient: Your contribution is automatically deducted from the account of your choice, requiring fewer reminders.
• Sustainable: Spreading support over time makes giving easier on your budget.
• Reliable: Recurring gifts provide SFLS with a steady and dependable stream of support for students, teachers, and mission-driven programs.

Many employers offer matching gift programs that can double—or even triple—the impact of your contribution to SFLS at no additional cost to you. 

We encourage donors to check with their employer’s HR department or benefits office to see if their company offers a matching gift program. You can also search your employer’s matching gift eligibility here.

Gifts made in honor or memory of someone are meaningful ways to recognize a life, celebrate accomplishments, or remember a loved one. When such a gift is made, SFLS notifies the honoree or next of kin, and the gift is administered as you specify.

Any approved form of giving—such as an outright cash donation, stock transfer, or other qualified gift—may be made in honor or memory of someone.

To make a memorial or honor gift, simply send your gift with a note including:

• The honoree’s name
• Address and contact information for the honoree or next of kin (if available)

If contact information is not provided, our team will do our best to locate it. Online gifts may also be made in honor or memory of someone by indicating that intention on the online donation form.

Endowed gifts provide a strong foundation for the long-term financial stability of SFLS. Interest earned through the endowment provides resources that support scholarships, faculty, operations, and other mission-centered priorities.

Each endowed gift is invested to generate both growth and income. SFLS utilizes an annual distribution of (typically) 5% of the rolling 12-quarter average market value to support school operations, student scholarships, and mission advancement. The remaining investment return is reinvested into the fund to help maintain and grow its value over time.

This approach ensures the programs supported by the endowment continue to receive essential resources for generations to come.

A minimum gift of $10,000 establishes a named endowed fund or scholarship.

Establishing an endowed fund also welcomes you into the SFLS Legacy Society, recognizing your commitment to creating a lasting impact for future generations of students and families. 

Planned giving is an excellent way to leave a lasting legacy while supporting the future of Sioux Falls Lutheran School for generations to come.

Planned gifts may include:

• Bequests through wills or living trusts
• Charitable remainder trusts
• Charitable gift annuities
• Gifts of life insurance
• Property deeded with a retained life estate
• Charitable lead trusts

Several planned giving options may also provide the benefit of lifetime income in exchange for the gifted asset, in addition to potential charitable income tax advantages.

To provide immediate impact while also creating a long-term legacy, many donors choose to combine a current cash or asset gift with a planned gift. This approach allows you to support today’s needs at SFLS while also ensuring future generations are blessed by your generosity.

Individuals who establish planned gift arrangements become members of the SFLS Legacy Society, recognizing their commitment to sustaining the mission of the school for years to come. An endowed gift or planned legacy commitment also includes induction into the SFLS Legacy Society.

SFLS partners with FreeWill to offer a free and secure estate planning tool that allows you to create your will in about 20 minutes.

If you have already included Sioux Falls Lutheran School in your estate plans, we would be grateful to know so we can thank you and welcome you into the Legacy Society.

To discuss planned giving options or share your intentions, please contact the SFLS Development Team.

Many families choose to make a larger impact through a pledge fulfilled over multiple years. This allows you to thoughtfully plan your giving while supporting the long-term mission of SFLS.

Donating appreciated stock held for more than one year can be a tax-wise way to give. By transferring stock directly to SFLS, you may avoid capital gains taxes while also receiving a charitable deduction.

Gifts of bonds, mutual funds, and other investment assets may also be used to support SFLS and can offer benefits similar to cash or stock gifts.

If you are age 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to SFLS. This can be an especially effective giving strategy and may help satisfy Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).

A Donor Advised Fund allows you to make charitable contributions, receive an immediate tax deduction, and recommend grants to SFLS over time. Many families use DAFs as part of their annual or legacy giving plans.

Gifts of land, homes, farms, or vacation property (excluding timeshares) may provide significant tax benefits while making a lasting impact for the school’s future.

Certain gifts of personal property—such as collections, royalty rights, or mineral rights—may also be considered and can create charitable giving opportunities beyond traditional assets.

Gifts of goods or services that directly benefit the mission of SFLS may be accepted with prior approval. These can include equipment, supplies, professional services, or other resources that help support students and staff.

For questions about giving options or to discuss a gift confidentially, please contact our Development Team.

Please note: Sioux Falls Lutheran School does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice. We encourage you to consult your professional advisor regarding your individual situation.