Planned Giving
Your Generosity to God’s Glory
To better steward the generous giving of our supporters, Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) offers complimentary gift planning services to help guide customers toward supporting the ministries they care about in their financial plans.
Estate Planning Resources
From naming LCEF in your estate planning to designating tangible personal property for donation, we guide you through the process of providing for and protecting your family while having an eternal impact on the Lutheran community through planned giving.
Why Give to LCEF?
Sharing your financial blessings with LCEF is one way you can make a direct impact on the ministries and missions you care about. Gifts generously granted to LCEF—along with investments—ensure that loans are more afforable for church workers and ministries. To help make the most of the generous gifts of our supporters, LCEF offers several convenient options for giving.
Download our free Estate Planning Guide
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How to Give to LCEF
Customized Contributions
Choose who your gift supports through important programs that strengthen and sustain LCMS workers, churches, schools and organizations like the Church Worker Loan Pool, LCEF General Fund, Grace Place Church Worker Wellness Fund and the Kaleidoscope Fund.
Shared Interest
While your investment with LCEF is already providing low-cost loans for LCMS workers and ministries, you can enhance your impact by donating your interest earned to the causes aligned with your faith.
Giving Calculators
Calculate the different ways you can give to help impact LCMS ministries.
What to Give
Not sure where to start? Here are popular ways to share God’s blessings for the greater good.
Stay Connected Through Our Newsletter
Sign up to receive estate planning resources and updates on how LCEF donors are making an impact.
Meet the Gift Development Team
Get to know the dedicated team committed to helping you align your generosity with your faith and support ministries that matter to you.
Diana Raasch
Director of Donor Relations and Gift Development
Diana.Raasch@lcef.org
314-885-6476
Diana Raasch
Director of Donor Relations and Gift Development
Diana is honored to serve the churches, schools and RSOs of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, working alongside partners in ministry for His glory. As a member of First Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, she is happy to share her life and faith with her husband, Randy, who serves as the church’s administrative pastor.
Diana’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in business and an MBA from Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW). After spending many years at CUW in Advancement and Alumni & Parent Relations, she joined Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) in 2013, where she continues striving to make a meaningful impact.
Outside of work, Diana enjoys spending time with her family, including her two grown daughters, their husbands and four grandchildren. She loves gardening, cooking and baking and is passionate about supporting ministries in a variety of ways.
Al Koepke
Senior Development Officer
Al and his wife, Joan, have been active members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Des Peres, Missouri, since moving from Milwaukee in 1993. He earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Concordia University, Nebraska, and a master’s in educational psychology from UW–Milwaukee.
After teaching at Martin Luther High School in Greendale, Wisconsin, Al spent over 30 years in development roles with Concordia University Wisconsin, Lutheran Hour Ministries, Concordia University Nebraska, and Lutheran Senior Services in St. Louis. In 2022, Al joined Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), where he is privileged to help individuals and congregations turn their generosity into lasting ministry impact.
Al and his wife are blessed to have two children and two grandchildren nearby. When time allows, he enjoys golfing, fishing, and working in the yard. His passion is helping people fulfill their desire to support the ministries they love.
Beth McAnallen
Gift Development Coordinator
Beth is proud to be a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Sappington, Missouri. With a rich background in marketing and operations, she spent eight years at DMB&B Advertising Agency in St. Louis collaborating with major clients like Anheuser-Busch and Southwestern Bell Telephone, while facilitating marketing planning between the agency and its clients.
In addition, Beth also served as Director of Operations at Grace Place Wellness for 10 years, contributing to the organization’s success in various donor relations roles. In 2022, she joined Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), where she continues working to make a positive impact.
Outside of work, Beth enjoys spending time with her husband, Ray, their two grown sons and their significant others and their beloved granddaughter.
Helpful Documents
Schedule a Call to Learn More
Our Gift Planning team is available to assist you with any inquiries you may have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Estate planning basics
When should I start estate planning?
It’s best to start estate planning as soon as you have assets or loved ones to protect—early planning ensures your wishes are clear and your family and church are cared for.
What is an estate plan?
An estate plan is a set of documents that outlines what happens to your money, property and care if you become unable to make decisions or after you pass away. Key parts include a will, trust, powers of attorney, healthcare directives and beneficiary designations.
What is a will?
A will is a written and signed document that explains who gets your assets and who will care for minor children. Typically, witnesses must be involved in signing a will. Some states may also require notarized signatures. Without a valid will, state law decides how your assets are distributed and chooses a guardian for your children. Download LCEF’s free Estate Planning Guide to learn more.
What is a trust?
A trust is a legal agreement that directs a trustee on how to manage your assets for the benefit of your chosen beneficiaries. It can provide control, protection, privacy and sometimes tax or probate advantages. Trusts can be revocable, irrevocable or begin after death (testamentary). A trusted attorney can advise on whether a trust is necessary or not.
Additionally, there are a variety of trusts. A Special Needs Trust holds assets for a person with disabilities without counting those funds toward strict income or asset limits for government benefits like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Some common charitable trusts include:
- Charitable Remainder Unitrust
- Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust
- Testamentary Charitable Remainder Trust
Can a business succession plan be included in an estate plan?
Yes. Including a business succession plan helps ensure smooth ownership transfer, minimize disruptions and address tax considerations.
What is probate?
Probate is the court process that validates a deceased person’s will and oversees the distribution of assets, making sure debts and taxes are settled before heirs or beneficiaries receive their inheritance.
How can I access an Estate Planning Guide?
LCEF offers a free Estate Planning Guide for download.
Key roles in carrying out a will
An executor is the person you name in your will to manage your estate, distribute assets to your beneficiaries and pay final bills and taxes. People often choose a spouse, adult child, close friend or professional. Your estate attorney may recommend that a backup executor be named.
Does my executor need to live in the same state as me?
In most cases, no. Out-of-state executors are allowed, though some states may require a bond, local agent or restrict the role to close relatives. Courts often prefer a local executor for easier handling. Work closely with your estate attorney when selecting your executor.
What is guardianship for minor children?
Guardianship gives an adult you choose the authority and responsibility to care for your child if you are unable or have passed away.
Bequeathing gifts to family
Yes, separate wills usually provide more flexibility and protection. Joint wills become irrevocable after one spouse’s death and can limit the surviving spouse’s ability to adjust to life changes like remarriage or new family dynamics after the first spouse passes away.
Can I leave assets to my grandchildren?
Yes, you can leave assets directly to your grandchildren using estate planning tools like wills or trusts, with options to pass assets through your children if desired. Your estate attorney will be able to share options and tax benefits of each option.
What should I consider when planning gifts for children or other heirs?
It depends on your goals, but most families combine lifetime gifts with inheritances through beneficiary designations or trusts. Read more about how to give through your will and how to save on taxes.
Power of attorney roles
A Power of Attorney (POA) lets you name someone you trust to act on your behalf if you are unable to speak for yourself. A health care POA handles medical decisions, while a financial POA manages money, property and other financial matters.
Do young adults, such as college students, need powers of attorney?
Yes. At 18, parents lose automatic authority over health and financial decisions. Powers of attorney let a trusted person make medical or financial decisions if a young adult is incapacitated, avoiding court involvement. They also encourage early planning and conversations about values, medical preferences and financial responsibility.
Charitable contributions
Planned giving lets you arrange charitable gifts now to be given in the future, often through a will, trust or other estate plan. It can include money, securities, real estate or life insurance, while supporting your family and ministries. LCEF offers resources to learn more about estate planning.
What types of gifts can be included in an estate plan?
You can include gifts to family, other heirs and your church. Speak with your estate attorney and financial advisor to align these gifts with your goals. Visit our “How to Give” page to learn about the most common estate gifts.
How can I give to my church or other ministries?
You may designate your church or other ministry as the beneficiary of an investment account. Download and return LCEF’s investment account beneficiary form to complete this process. To designate a church or ministry as a beneficiary of an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), download and return LCEF’s IRA Beneficiary Designation Form.
Can I donate assets like stock or investment accounts (such as LCEF)?
Yes. Donating appreciated stock directly to a qualified ministry or other nonprofit can provide tax benefits, such as avoiding capital gains taxes and deducting the full market value.
How can I make a gift in memory of someone through LCEF?
Contact our LCEF team to make this unique and thoughtful request.
Retirement giving
What are RMDs and QCDs?
An RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) is the minimum required annual withdrawal from certain retirement accounts once you reach a specific age. A QCD (Qualified Charitable Distribution) lets people 70½+ donate directly from an IRA to ministry or other nonprofit, satisfying all or part of their RMD, if applicable, while excluding that gift from taxable income.
Can all or part of an RMD be directed to a church?
Yes. When it comes to making gifts from a retirement account, you can direct all or part of your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) to your church using a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), subject to the inflation-adjusted annual limit.
Estate planning best practices
Working with an estate attorney is important because they will ensure your will is valid, clear and accomplishes your goals. They help comply with state law, prevent conflicts, coordinate with your overall estate plan, address taxes and probate and handle special circumstances like businesses, blended families and charitable giving.
Can a will be created using an online tool?
Yes, online wills can be legally valid if properly signed and witnessed. For complex situations—like blended families, family member with special needs, significant assets, business and charitable goals—working with an estate attorney is highly recommended.
Besides my estate attorney, what other types of professionals can assist with estate or financial planning?
It’s best to work with a fiduciary, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or certified financial professional, who is legally and ethically required to act in your best interest.
