2012 And the 7 Dimension End Time Prophecies
Imagine – Stephen Hawking, who some have called the “Einstein of Today,” preaching in the inner city streets of London – wearing a sandwich board sign that proclaims, “Repent for the End is Near.”
Does that sound unlikely to happen? Well maybe, considering that Mr. Hawking just wrote in his new book: “The Grand Design,” – that the laws of physics really don’t need a God to explain the creation (or the destruction) of the universe: “Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist. It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going” (Stephen Hawking).
However, many other scientists these days are taking more of a prophetic position when discussing 2012. There are presently 7 zealous groups (see below) preaching that the end of days will come in less than 26 months (December, 2012), and 5 of these groups – are from the scientific community.
7 Signs Predicting the End of Days in 2012
1. The Earth’s Magnetic Field – Scientists predict that the earth’s magnetic fields (north and south poles) that shield us from most of the sun’s radiation will swap places in 2012, causing enough ultraviolet rays to kill everything that it touches (nasa.gov).
2. Sun Storms – Solar experts from around the world who monitor the sun are reporting that solar storms have recently been bombarding the earth with a lot of radiation energy that has been knocking out power grids and destroying satellites. They are calculating that this activity will get worse and predict that it will reach its deadly peak in the year 2012 (nasa.gov).
3. Super Volcano – Scientists report that the Yellowstone National Park volcano in the United States is steadily building up pressure. It has a pattern of erupting every 700,000 years, and we are way overdue. Geologists are predicting its next Big Bang in 2012, will fill the atmosphere with ash, block the sun and plunge the earth into a frozen winter that could last up to 17,000 years (nasca.org).
4. The Atom Smasher – European Scientists are building the world’s biggest particle accelerator designed to smash atoms together to find out what makes the universe tick. Scientists around the world are predicting disastrous results when this machine is turned on for its first serious experiment in 2012. They believe that it could create mini black holes that would crush the earth into a super-dense blob the size of a watermelon (cbsnews.com).
5. The Physicists – Berkley University physicists have determined that the earth is well overdue for a major catastrophic event, and they have calculated and predicted with a 99% certainty that we’re all going to die in 2012 (millerinstitute.berkeley.edu).
6. The Mayan Calendar – The Mayans were the first to predict the end of the world on December 21, 2012. They were very good at building highly accurate astrological equipment out of stone, and they managed to calculate the length of the lunar moon as 329.53020 days, only 34 seconds out – thousands of years ago. Some are saying that since they were able to calculate the lunar cycle – their end of the world prediction must also be right on target (usetoday.com).
7. The Bible – Some Christian groups are proclaiming that interpretations of the Book of Revelation predict the date for the final battle between good and evil (Armageddon), will be in 2012 (gnmagizine.org).
Since I do not have a scientific background, I will refer you to Mr. Hawking concerning the first five scientific prophecies. To be fare he was quoted as saying: “We’re not saying there is no God, we’re saying there is no need for God to explain the universe, and I agree with him on that. I will briefly comment on ancient religions and their apocalyptic predictions, but will save the commentary for the sixth reason for the Mayan archeologist experts. This article will primarily focus on ancient religious manuscripts including biblical scriptures in an attempt to answer the following two questions and will be divided into two parts:
Part 1: Is there any ancient evidence of a 7 – Dimensional God who will bring about the end of the world as we know it? and if so -
Part 2: What are the documented world conditions and time lines for this to happen?
PART ONE
7 Dimensional Background
As a foundation or prerequisite for this article, I would encourage you to read the 7 articles below that support a seven dimensional theory of everything:
1. Contemplating a 7 – Dimensional Theory of Everything,
2. Ancient Mysteries of the Seven Dimensions,
3. The 7 Dimensional God and Ancient Mystery Religion,
4. The 7-Dimension Intervention – A Holistic Diathesis-Stress Approach to Stress-Management,
5. DSM-V and the 7 Dimensions Therapeutic Model,
6. Chess & the 7-Dimensions of Life, and
7. Addictions Recovery Measurement & the Seven Dimensions
As I have repeatedly mentioned in my previous articles, I would like to apologize in advance for offending anyone’s religious sensitivities, as this is a work in progress that is very, very far from perfect, and I am fully aware of my biases toward Christianity. I would also like to say that this article is intended for those that do not believe in God or are confused about religion (16% of our 6 Billion-plus people on planet earth).
With the above disclaimer to being a Prophet of God (that even sounds silly as I write it) or having and/ or knowing the absolute truth, I would like to present what I believe to be the origins of ancient religious knowledge and ageless wisdom that give us some answers to how ancient civilizations viewed these questions. I would first like to focus on the most significant present day forms of religion and then consider their apocalyptic predictions regarding the end of the world.
7 Major Expressions of Ancient Religions and their 7 Dimensional Influences
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse,” (The Bible, Romans 1:20).
It is clear from the above verse that God has revealed himself to all humans throughout history – even prior to the development of religions. Following are the 7 major forms of world religions that include 84% of the world’s present population (World population was 6,871,111,449 on Sep 25, 2010) with some of their 7 Dimensional influences and apocalyptic predictions.
1. Ancient Mystery Religions: The 7 Days of Creation (Prehistory)
2. Judaism: The 7 Spirits of God (2000 B.C.)
3. Hinduism: The 7 Chakras (1500 B.C.)
4. Buddhism: The 7 Points of Proper Religion (523 B.C.)
5. Chinese Traditional Religions: The 7 Lucky Gods (270 B.C.)
6. Christianity: The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit (30 A.D.)
7. Islam: The 7 Heavens (610 A.D.)
Note: According to Adherents.com/ Religions, the “Nonreligious Group” (that includes – agnostic, atheist, secular humanist, and people answering no religious preference) make up – 16%. This is not a complete listing of all world religions as there are over 4,300 distinct faith groups covering all countries of the world.
Seven (7) Major Expressions of Ancient Religions and their Apocalyptic Predictions
1. Ancient Mystery Religions: Every twenty-six thousand years our solar system passes through the twelve zodiac signs. Ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Mayan, Hopi, Cherokee, and the Apache were aware of this great cycle and developed calendars according to it. Mayan cultures and civilizations were aware of this end date as December 21, 2012, and Nostradamus even prophesied about it (Esoteric Agenda Video).
2. Judaism: In Judaism the term “End of Days” is taken from the Tanakh, Numbers 24:4, as a reference to the Messianic era and the Jewish belief in the coming of Mashiach and the World to Come. The Dead Sea Scrolls identifies the Messiah as Melchizedek (Dead Sea Scrolls, 11Q13).
3. Hinduism: Ancient Hindus had a cyclic understanding of external history and internal
spirituality. The Cycle or “Kalpa”, lasting 8.64 billion years in the terms of orthodox Hindus, illustrates the pattern of decline. The final is Kali Yuga or the Dark Age where civilization becomes spiritually degraded, human lives are shortened by violence and disease and there is a general state of decay in nature.
4. Buddhism: Like Hindus, Buddhists generally believe in a cycle of creation and destruction, of which the current epoch represents only the latest step.
5. Chinese Traditional Religions: The I Ching or Tao Te Ching or The Book of Change is fundamental to Chinese Religion. Researchers have studied the fascinating numerology behind the I Ching and were surprised to find that after graphing the beginning of life on our planet and the beginning of historical time, it fit perfectly over the timeline and in doing so, the end of the graph lined up upon December 22, 2012 (Explain 2012.com).
6. Christianity: In Christianity, the End Times are often depicted as a time of tribulation that precedes the Second Coming of the Christian “savior” or a “hoped-for deliverer”, Jesus, the Christian Messiah, who will usher in the Kingdom of God and bring an end to suffering and evil.
7. Islam: In Islam,Yawm al-Qiyamah “the Day of Resurrection” or Yawm ad-Din “the Day of Judgement”, Allah’s final assessment of humanity, is preceded by the end of the world.
Note: The Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, & Islam quotes are from Wikipedia.
It’s interesting that all 7 major expressions of the current religions that dominate our world today have scriptural evidence for the “End of Days.” Eschatology is a part of theology that studies the final events in history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity, commonly referred to as the end of the world. Eschatological passages are found in many places, especially in the Bible’s books of: Isaiah, Daniel, Matthew, and the Book of Revelation.
7 Dimensional Interpretation and the Book of Revelation
The book of Revelation is not rocket science – it is more complex. Over the centuries there have been numerous approaches to interpreting this book. Following are 7 of these views.
1. Preterist View: Holds that the contents of Revelation constitute a prophecy of events that were fulfilled in the first century.
2. Historicist View: Hold that the events predicted in the Bible have been taking place in history.
3. Futurist View: Assigns all or most of the prophecy to the future, shortly before the second coming of Christ; especially when interpreted in conjunction with Daniel, Isaiah 2:11-22, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:11, and other eschatological sections of the Bible.
4. Idealist View: Teaches that it is a symbolic representation of the continual struggle of good and evil. It does not refer to any particular historical events. It is applicable at any point in history (NIV: Commentary).
5. Eastern Orthodox View: The book is seen as a warning to be spiritually and morally ready for the end times, whenever they may come (“as a thief in the night”), but they will come at the time of God’s choosing, not something that can be precipitated nor trivially deduced by mortals.
6. Esoterist View: The book bears multiple levels of meaning, the lowest being the literal or “dead-letter.” They see the book as delivering both a series of warnings for humanity and a detailed account of internal, spiritual processes of the individual soul.
7. Multidimensional View: Just as Stephen Hawking’s concept of the universe does not have just a single existence or history, I would propose that every possible interpretive approach listed above may exist simultaneously.
7 Directions of Prayer
Ancient Cherokee Indians didn’t believe that there were just four directions (North, South, East, & West). Unlike the Abrahamic religious believers in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, who pray with their heads facing down or up, Cherokee indians pray to the 7 directions, the four cardinal points, the sky, the earth, and the center or spirit (cherokee-nc.com).
Before we jump into the book of Revelation, I would like to take this time to pray to our Creator in the seven directions for wisdom, guidance, and understanding.
Considering a 7 Dimensional God
The following verses from the New Testament and the Old Testament may give us some clues to consider the 7 Dimensional God (See: The 7 Dimensional God and Ancient Mystery Religion).
7 Dimensions and the Holy Trinity: God the father (7 Spirits of God: Isaiah 11:2), God the Son (Jesus’s 7 Stars: Rev. 1:16), God the Holy Spirit (7 Gifts: Rom. 12:6-8)
The 7 Dimensional Lamb of God: Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth (Rev. 5:6). The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29).
Jesus’s 7 Stars & the 7 Golden Lamp Stands: “In his right hand he (Jesus) held 7 stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance (Revelations 1:16). “The mystery of the 7 stars that you saw in my right hand and of the 7 golden lamp stands is this: The 7 stars are the angels of the 7 churches, and the 7 lamp stands are the 7 churches” (Revelations 1:20). The above verses indicate that Jesus is holding the 7 angels who are guarding the 7 churches in his right hand.
The 7 Spirits of God: The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him–the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD (Isaiah 11:2).
Zechariah’s Vision of the 7 Eyes & the 7 Lights: “See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are 7 eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day (Zechariah 3:9). “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a solid gold lamp-stand with a bowl at the top and 7 lights on it, with 7 channels to the lights…. ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty…. “(These 7 are the eyes of the LORD, which range throughout the earth.)” Zechariah 4:2-10).
The following verses may give us some more clues to reveal who the 7 – Dimensional God is:
1. God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you,’ (Exodus 22:13).
2. Jesus: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End,”(Revelation 22:13).
3. Melchizedek: “Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever (Hebrews 7:3).
4. Jesus: “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58).
5. In John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
6. In John 10:30, Jesus says that to see Him is to see the Father.
7. Later in John 14:7-9, Jesus adds that to know Him is to know the Father.
7 Messages to the 7 Churches: The Apostle John begins the book of Revelation by explaining how he received this message from God. Then he records specific revelations from Jesus (God) to the 7 churches.
7 Dimensions of Revelation: Seven (7) appears to have a special significance in this book: There are 7 churches symbolized by 7 lamp-stands (1:20); the churches have 7 angels symbolized by 7 stars (1:20); there are 7 spirits before the throne of God, symbolized by 7 lamps (4:5), and also by 7 horns and 7 eyes (5:6); the judgment scroll has 7 seals (5:1) with a corresponding set of 7 “seal judgments”; the 7th seal unleashes 7 “trumpet judgments,” which are heralded by 7 angels (8:1-2); the 7th trumpet unleashes 7 “bowl judgments,” where the bowls of God’s wrath are poured out by 7 angels (15:1); there are 7 mysterious thunders about which John is not permitted to say anything (10:3); 7,000 people are killed in an earthquake (11:13); the dragon has 7 heads and 7 diadems on his heads (12:3); and the beast from the sea has 7 heads (13:1).
One half of 7, is also a conspicuous number in Revelation: two witnesses are given power to prophesy 1,260 days, or exactly 3 and 1 half years, according to the Hebrew year of 360 days (11:3); the witnesses are then killed, and their dead bodies lie in the streets of Jerusalem for 3 and 1 half days (11:9); the “woman clothed with the sun” is protected in the wilderness for 1,260 days, or 3 and 1 half years (12:6); Gentiles tread the holy city underfoot for 3 and 1 half years (11:2); and the beast is given authority to continue for 3 and 1 half years (13:5), (WIKIPEDIA).
Is there any ancient evidence of a 7 – Dimensional God who will bring about the end of the world as we know it? Considering the above verses, I will leave that up to you to decide, but I believe that there is sufficient evidence to support that Jesus the Christ, our High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek is our 7 – Dimensional God.
PART TWO
So, lets move on to question two. What are the documented world conditions and time lines for the end of the world as we know it or the Second Coming of Christ?
Considering this question at this point in history, we will be analyzing the “Futurist View” of interpreting the book of Revelation that assigns all or most of the prophecy to the future, shortly before the second coming of Christ; especially when interpreted in conjunction with the Bible’s books of: Matthew, Daniel, Isaiah 2:11-22, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:11, and other eschatological sections of the Bible.
Matthew 24: 1 – 35 & the End Times World Conditions
The following verses in Matthew reveal what some of the world conditions will be at the time of Jesus’s Second Coming.
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ, and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains (Matthew 24: 4-8).
When will all this happen? (Ancient Hebrew & Babylonian Calendars)
In Hebrew Scriptures, the number 7 represents perfection and completeness; 7 X 70 equals 490-a number depicting “ultimate completion.” It must be remembered that the entire Jewish system was designed under a system of sevens. There were seven days in a week, the seventh day being the Sabbath. Every seventh year was to be a Sabbath year when no crops were to be planted or harvested. After seven sets of seven years (or seven Sabbath years) the Israelites were to celebrate The Year of Jubilee.
Time – A Perfect Circle
In contrast to our calendar, a biblical or prophetic year is made up of 12 months each comprising 30 days to make a total of 360 days – the number of degrees in a circle. This biblical time system represents the mechanics of a perfect solar system. The earth revolves around the sun every 360 days and the moon revolves around the sun every 30 days. Biblical time is laid out for us in beauty and truth according to the mathematics and geometry of a Holy God (Genesis 7 & 8, and Revelation 12). Both the ancient Hebrews to whom Daniel was writing and the ancient Babylonians used a 360-day year calendar.
Daniel’s Seventy “Sevens” & the End Time Calendar
Many Bible scholars believe that the prophet Daniel predicted the First and the Second Coming of Christ in the following verses.
Daniel 9:24-27: “Seventy ‘Sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”
Some bible scholars believe that the “decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem,” occurred in 445 B.C. when the edict decree of Artaxerxes Longimanus was issued (Nehemiah 20), and that this event started the “seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens” or 69 sevens (483 biblical years). They believe that 69 of the 70 Sevens terminated when (Jesus) the Anointed One rode into Jerusalem on a donkey in 33 A.D. (Matthew 21: 1-4), predicting the First Coming of Christ as a political leader.
Many bible scholars interpret the “decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem,” as occurring in 1948, when the modern nation of Israel was formed, and Jerusalem could again be rebuilt. With the threat of Terrorism affecting Israel and the whole world, they believe that Daniel’s “time of trouble” has already arrived, but it will not fully manifest itself until the 7 year period of Tribulation begins (Daniel 12:1). When applied as years, the final 70 years in Daniel’s Seven Seventies – yields the date: 2011 AD: (1948 + 70 = 2018 minus the 7 years of tribulation = 2011). Some consider adding approximately 12 months for the tribulation to begin to estimate the Second Coming of Christ as a political leader as being some time in the year 2012.
7 Jewish Festivals or Feasts of Israel (Prophetic Appointed Times)
The Hebrew word for “Feasts” translates into “Appointed Times” with God-at HIS Feasts (Lev. 23: 2, 4, 37 and 44). Many bible scholars believe that the following 7 annual Jewish Feasts or Holidays also represent prophetic time periods in history:
1. The Feast of Passover – represents Jesus’s Crucifixion in 32 A.D.
2. The Feast of Unleavened Bread – represents Jesus’s Burial in 32 A.D.
3. The Feast of First Fruits – represents Jesus’s Resurrection in 32 A.D.
4. The Feast of Weeks – represents the beginning of the Church Age in 32 A.D.
5. The Feast of Trumpets – represents the present age – for gentiles to be evangelized.
6. The Feast of Atonement – represents the Day of Judgment.
7. The Feast of Tabernacles -represents the New Heavens and the New Earth, and begins the Year of Jubilee.
Some believe that the End Time events of the last three feasts will be based on the prophetic nature of these Jewish holidays found in the bible. Considering this time clock, we are presently in the Fifth Feast of Trumpets (time period) – awaiting the Day of Judgment.
The Year of Jubilee and the Sevens
“Count off seven sabbaths of years-seven times seven years-so that the seven sabbaths of years amount to a period of forty-nine years. Then have the trumpet sounded everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement sound the trumpet throughout your land. Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan (Leviticus 25:8 -10).
The Coming of Melchizedek as Messiah
Then the “Day of Atonement” shall follow after the tenth jubilee period, when he shall atone for all the Sons of Light, and the people who are predestined to Melchizedek. (…) upon them (…) For this is the time decreed for the “Year of Melchizedek`s favor”, and by his might he will judge God’s holy ones and so establish a righteous kingdom, as it is written about him in the Songs of David; “A godlike being has taken his place in the council of God; in the midst of divine beings he holds judgement” (Dead Sea Scrolls, 11Q13, Col.2).
Some bible scholars believe that the Year of Jubilee is also a prophetic appointed future time for the Messiah to return and take control of the earth. Some have calculated that the Seventh Millennium or tenth Jubilee technically began in September 1999, and that if you add 3 and 1/2 years to that – in 2012, we will be 3 & 1/2 years into the 7 Years of Great Tribulation (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:21).
Discussion
The purpose in writing this article is not to stimulate predictions and calculations about dates, but to warn us to be prepared for the real possibility of these predictions coming true.
Jesus said that, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father…… “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him (Matthew 24:36-44).
Although we will not know the exact day or hour, we should be able to forecast the signs of the times. Most “futurist view” bible scholars would agree that the end will not come until three more “End Time” events occur:
1. The False Prophet will appear as the world religious leader (Rev.13 1-10);
2. The Antichrist will appear as the world political leader (Rev. 19:20); and
3. The Abomination of Desolation will occur (Daniel 12:11, Matthew 24:15, Revelation 13:5).
I believe that our Lord Jesus Christ the 7-Dimensional God will return as the messiah in the Order of Melchizedek to fill the dual offices of King of Kings and Priest of God Most High.
I believe that 2012 will be a spiritual wake up call for humanity, but our God will not return until His people have prepared themselves to be a “Priesthood of Believers,” a Holy Nation and a Royal Priesthood to receive him by practicing what he taught us concerning the “New Covenant.” The Old Testament idea of the Levitical priest being the mediator between God and man was only necessary until the death of Jesus Christ.
So why do we continue to have Levitical type church leadership structures (Priest/ Parishioner, Clergy/ Laity, and Pastor/ Congregation)?
Why do we continue to have Levitical style worship in temples, cathedrals, and mega-church buildings?
Jesus came the First Time to reestablish the New Covenant in which ALL BELIEVERS are to become a Holy Nation and Royal Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 5:10). Christ, our High Priest has given us the ministry of mediation (Heb. 7:25) and He gives ALL BELIEVERS the right to become priests in the Order of Melchizedek.
Jesus came the First Time to move us away from Levitical style (temple/ church) leadership. He came to move us into the Melchizedek Priesthood where ALL BELIEVERS from every nation, tribe, people, language, culture, religious background, and gender (Jew, Gentile, Hindu, Chinese, Buddhist, Moslem, men and women, etc.) qualify to become the priests of their families and homes.
I think that Jesus will not come the Second Time until he sees evidence of HIS church practicing the New Covenant. The Great Multitude in white robes (Rev. 7:9) are a Royal Priesthood of families and a Holy Nation of homes from every nation, tribe, people, and language. The question is not when will these end time prophecies occur, but will you be one of these believers that have come out of the Great Tribulation (Rev. 7:14).
My intent in writing this article is not to persuade, influence, convince, or convert anyone to my personal beliefs, but to increase respect and religious tolerance for people of all nations and cultures.
References: All biblical verses are from the New International Version Bible
For more info see: http://www.7dimensions.net
Inheritance Entitlement
Two articles published in USA Today several months ago have inspired me to think a great deal about death and inheritances.The first article noted the generosity of Howard Hughes in donating the majority of his estate to the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation after his death. It went on to discuss the growing trend of the rich to leave much of their estate to charity, rather than pass it on to their children. Most of the children in the article – possibly all of them – discussed the trend in a positive manner; I don’t recall anyone other than the author bemoaning their loss. The second article focused on one family, whose patriarch was dying of cancer and using most of his savings on medical bills. Although his children repeatedly stated that they would rather have hope for their father than an inheritance (one significantly smaller than the Hughes children would someday receive), the father worried about what he would leave to his children.
I found the tone of both articles disturbing. The implication was that parents should build up their fortunes primarily for their children. The entitlement factor that pervades America has now become funeral fodder. I wonder about the interviews you would never get – the decision to put an elderly parent in a state-funded home to preserve the inheritance for their grown children. I wonder why we are beginning to believe that we are entitled to something that someone else has worked hard for. If I were to visit Mr. Hughes and inform him that I deserve his money simply because I am alive, he and most of the rest of the nation would laugh at my daring and dismiss me. Why, then, is it deemed acceptable for us to believe we are entitled to what our parents have worked for?
As a mother of small children – all five and under – I obviously want to be sure that my children will be financially provided for should something happen to my husband and myself. But I also think the most valuable thing I can leave my children is a desire to work hard. Studies have shown that the children of the rich often wind up wasting their lives and their money, squandering it quickly. It is the grandchildren of the rich, sometimes the great-grandchildren, who seek to rebuild the fortune they once had. Granted, this isn’t always the case, and money isn’t always the problem.
However, once my children have grown up and made their way in the world, I don’t think they are automatically entitled to receive my money. Personally, I plan to enjoy my retirement years, and I can only pray that my husband and I will raise them in such a way that they will always put our health before their financial growth. Heck, I hope to raise them in such a way that they can support me in my retirement – but I don’t expect it. Leaving an inheritance for my children would be nice, but is not my primary goal in life.
I recently discussed my father’s intentions following the death of my step-mother – questions about where he would want to be buried and the like. In the process, he mentioned that he owned a life insurance policy for $100,000 so that my sister and I would receive an ‘inheritance’. Since he is a single man on a tight budget, with no one dependent on him for income, I urged him to take the money he was paying into the policy and spend it on himself or some of the debts he was struggling to pay off. He refused, insisting he wanted to leave us with something. Again, I told him that I would rather have him happy now than have some money later.
At the same time, as my husband and I calculated our insurance needs, I tried to plan how much three children would need to support themselves until they were 18. Of course, it would be nice to pay for college….and on the list went. I tried to decide about trusts with annual payouts and interest rates, and when to give them the principle of the balance (I decided closer to 30 would be nice…or maybe 50…). So I guess, ranting aside, I’m not immune to wanting to leave a nice inheritance for my children.
All of that said, I am opposed to children who think they deserve what their parents have earned, whether it is a fortune or a small business, or both. I feel like one of the most important things we can teach our children is to work hard and save hard. And I think that we should make sure as we plan our estates that our children benefit, not just financially but in all aspects of their lives.
However, if Mr. Hughes feels the urge to leave some of his fortune to me, I guess I would take it.
Non Profit Organization Accounting
Certainly, proper accounting is essential for non-trading institutions. These concerns maintain, generally, a cash book and later they prepare a summary of cash transactions appearing in the cash book. This summary takes the form of an account known as receipts and payments account.
Such concerns also prepare ‘income and expenditure account’ (which is more or less on the lines of profit and loss account) and the Balance Sheet.
The day-to-day accounting consists of maintaining.
(i) Cash book for recording receipts and payments, and
(ii) Ledger for classification of transactions under proper heads.
Receipts and payments account
It is a summary of cash book for a given period, but the Receipts and Payments account shows the totals of cash transactions under different heads. All the receipts, be cheque or cash are entered on the debit (receipts) side (as in cash book) whereas all the payments (both by cheque or cash) are shown on the credit (payments) side. Following features of the receipts and payments account will help to identify its nature clearly :
1. It is a summary of cash book, like a cash book, receipts are shown on the debit side and
payments on the credit side.
2. Cash and bank items are merged in one column. That means receipts in cash as-well-as by , cheque are entered in one column on debit and payments in cash as-well-as by cheque are entered in one column on credit side. Contra entries between cash and bank get eliminated.
3. It is not a part of double entry book-keeping. It is just a summary of cash book which is a , part of double entry system.
4. Just like cash book, it starts with the opening balance of cash and bank and closes with the closing balance of cash and bank.
5. Both revenue and capital receipts and payments are recorded in this account. For example, …An organization that is exclusively set up to carryon with the object of carrying out social service or promo & organization of social activities, is a non-trading enterprise. payment for rent and payment for building and machinery both are recorded on its payments side. Similarly, receipts on account of subscription and machinery are shown on the receipts side.
6. Usually, it shows a debit balance which represents cash in hand and at bank. However, in case of bank overdraft, which is larger than cash in hand, the account will show a credit balance.
7. Receipts and payments account fails to disclose gain or loss made by the concern during the period because (a) it is prepared on actual receipt basis i.e. it records all receipts-irrespective of the period to which it relates (previous year, current year or future), (b) it also ignores the nature of the receipts and payments (whether capital or revenue). I
8. Accounting concept of gain or loss is based on “accrual concept” which by its very nature “receipts and payments account” is not capable of considering. Therefore, fails to disclose gain or loss (earned or suffered by the concern) during the period. For example, this account ignores: !
(i) Decrease or increase i.e. depreciation or appreciation in the value of assets;
(ii) Increase or decrease in the value of stock;
(iii) Provision for expenses incurred but payments not made-outstanding expenses.
(iv) Accounting for payment in advance for the services to be utilized in the next accounting period-prepaid expenses.
It also fails to distinguish between:
(v) Capital and revenue payments-whether expenditure or purchase of an asset, and
(vi) Business charge and appropriation- whether business expenditure or drawings.
Limitations of receipts and payments account
Receipts and payments account suffers from following limitations :
(a) It does not show expenses and incomes on accrual basis.
(b) It does not show whether the club or society is able to meet its day-to-day expenses out of its incomes.
(c) It does not show expenses on account of depreciation of assets.
(d) It does not explain the details about many expenses and incomes. In order to explain such questions, treasurer of the club prepares ‘Income and expenditure account’ and balance sheet.
Income and expenditure account
This account is prepared by non-trading concerns who want to know if during the financial year their income has been more than their expenditure i.e. profit or vice versa ( i.e. loss). Since the object of these concerns is not primarily to’ earn profit, therefore, they feel shy in giving it the name of profit and loss account. Because the word ‘profit’ is a taboo which any society ‘looks down upon’. Of course, it discloses whether the concerned institution earned or lost.
It is equivalent to and serves the purpose of ‘profit and loss account’.
It is prepared on “accrual basis” (not on receipt basis) meaning thereby that all incomes are to be included which have been earned in the relevant period (whether actually received or not). Similarly, it includes all expenses incurred in the relevant period (whether actually paid or not). This account serves exactly the purpose which ‘profit and loss account’ serves in a trading concern. On the pattern of ‘profit and loss account’ income is shown on the credit side and expenditure on the debit side. It also distinguishes between ‘capital & revenue’ items i.e. it does not take into consideration capital items {both receipts and payments). It follows double entry principles faithfully.
Balance Sheet
The balance sheet of a non-trading concern is on usual lines. Liabilities on left hand side and assets on right hand side. In trading concerns, excess of assets over liabilities is called ‘capital’. Here, in non-trading concerns, excess of assets over liabilities is called ‘capital fund’. The capital fund is built up out of surplus from income and expenditure account.
Distinction between “receipts and payments account” and “Income and expenditure account” :
Receipts and Payments Account
1. It is a real account.
2. It need not be accompanied by a balance sheet.
3. It is like a cash book.
4. Closing balance is carried forward to the next period.
5. Debit side is for receipts and credit side is for payments.
6. Closing balance represents cash in hand and at bank.
7. It includes both capital and revenue items.
8. It usually shows a debit balance.
9. It ignores outstanding items.
10. It ignores credit sales and purchases.
11. It includes prepaid items.
12. It begins with a balance.
13. It includes items relating to past, present or future periods.
14. It is not a part of double entry system.
15. It ignores non-cash items like depreciation, bad debts etc.
Income and Expenditure Account
1. It is a nominal account.
2. Must be accompanied by a balance sheet.
3. It is like a profit & loss account.
4. Closing balance is merged into capital fund.
5. Debit side is for expenses and credit side for incomes.
6. Closing balance represents either surplus or deficiency.
7. It includes only revenue items.
8. It may show a debit or credit balance.
9. It records outstanding items.
10. It records credit sales and purchases.
11. It excludes prepaid items.
12. It does not begin with a balance.
13. It includes items relating to current period only.
14. It is a part of double entry system.
15. It records non-cash items like depreciation, bad debts etc.
Peculiar items of non-trading concern’s
Generally, in the exercises, the instructions are given as to the treatment of special items. Such instructions are based on the rules of the concern. These should be followed while solving the question. In cases, where no specific instructions are given, the following guidelines may be considered:
1. Legacy
It is the amount received by the concern as per the ‘will’ of the ‘donor’. It appears
on the receipts side of receipts and payments account. It should not be considered as income but should be treated as capital receipt i.e. credited to capital fund account.
2. Subscriptions
The members of the associations, as per rules, are, generally, required to make
annual subscription to enable it to serve the purpose for which it was created. It appears on the receipts side of the receipts and payments account and is, usually, credited to income. Care must be exercised to take credit for only those subscriptions which are relevant.
3. Life membership fees
Generally, the members are required to make the payment in a lump sum only once which enables them to become the members for whole of the life. Life members are not required to pay the annual membership fees. As ‘life membership fees’ is a substitute for ‘annual membership fees’, therefore, it is desirable that life membership fees should be credited to a separate fund and fair proportion be credited to income in subsequent years. In the
examination question, if there is no instruction as to what proportion be treated as income then whole of it should be treated as capital.
4. Entrance fees
This is also an item to be found on the receipts side of receipts and payments account. There are arguments that it should be treated as capital receipt because entrance fees is to be paid by every member only once (i.e. when enrolled as memer, hence it is nonrecurring in nature. But another argument is that since members to be enrolled every year and receipt of entrance fees is a regular item, therefore, it should -be credited to income. In the absence of the instructions anyone of the above treatment may be followed but students should append a note justifying their treatment.
5. Sale of newspapers, periodicals, etc.
As the old newspapers, magazines, and periodicals etc. are to be disposed of every year, the receipts on account of such sale should be treated as income, and therefore, to be credited to income and expenditure account.
6. Sale of sports material.
Sale of sports material (used) is also a regular feature of the clubs. Sale proceeds should be treated as income, and therefore, to be credited to income and expenditure account.
7. Honorarium
Persons may be invited to deliver lectures or artists may be invited to give their performance by a club (for its members). Any money, paid to invitees, is termed as honorarium and not salary. Such honorarium represents expenditure and will be debited to income and expenditure account.
8. Special fund
Legacies and donations may be received for specified purposes. As discussed above, these should be credited to special fund all expenses related to such fund are shown by way of deduction from the respective fund and not as expenditure in income and expenditure account.
9. Sale of old asset
It is a non-recurring item. It cannot be taken to income and expenditure account. It leads to reduction in asset. Therefore, it is shown by way of deduction from the concerned asset. It is important to note that it is the “book value” that is to be deducted from asset. Profit or loss in such a case is taken to income and expenditure account. Where the book value of asset is nil, the entire proceeds of sale be treated as income.
10. Specific Donations
These are received for specific purpose. For example: Donation for building; Donation for prizes; Donation for pavilion etc. These are capital receipts and shown on liabilities side. It is worthy to note that such donations should not be treated as income because if they are taken to income and expenditure account, it will increase income. The increased income may be utilized for any other purpose. Thus, the purpose of donation will not be served. Such donations appear on the liability side because they create a long term obligation (liability) on the institution. For example a donor may wish that prizes may be awarded year after year out of the income earned on his donations. Such a donation account can’t be closed within a year by transferring to income and expenditure account.
11. General donations
These donations are not for any specific purpose and being a recurring income they are to be treated as income and are shown on the income side of income and expenditure account.
12. Endowment fund
It represents donation for a specific purpose. Here, the object of the donor is to provide a source of permanent income to the institution. Thus, it is shown in the liability side of balance sheet. Any income earned during the year in such fund is added to it and any expenditure incurred during the year is deducted from it.
13. Proceeds of concerts, lectures and dramas or cultural shows
A concert is a program of musical entertainment. Concerts and lectures of eminent personalities are arranged in aid of charitable Accounts of Non-Trading institutions. Amount in the income side of institutions. Amount collected from such shows by sale of tickets is an income of institution and shown in the income side of income and expenditure account.
14. Govt. grants. These grants are of two types :
(i) Maintenance grants; and
(ii) Development grants.
The maintenance grants are for meeting recurring expenses. These are treated as income and shown in the income side of income and expenditure account. The development grant is for acquiring assets. A development grant is a liability.
15. Accumulated (Capital) Fund
All entities, profit seeking on non-profit seeking require money for carrying out their activities. In business organization such money is called capital while in case of non-profit organizations it is known by various names such as Capital fund or Accumulated fund.
It represents the surplus of assets over outside liabilities of the organization. It is usually made up by special donations; legacies; capitalization of admission fee ; life membership fee etc. It is increased (or decreased) by any surplus (or deficit) on the Income and Expenditure account. Some of the lesser known names given to this item are General fund or Surplus account.
Donation Thank You Letter – 2 Effectual Examples
It’s no secret that sending an effective donation thank you letter can help an organization to build long-term relationships with donors. Every charitable organization should make it a practice to thank donors for their contributions. This is especially true for new donors.
Sending a thank you note and token gift to donors will help to set the tone of the new relationship between the donor and organization. Fundraising professionals must make donors understand that they are partners in fulfilling the mission of the organization.
The following examples, written specifically for new donors, will show you how to effectively do this.
Note that each letter reinforces a positive feeling in the donor for having given to the organization. This is equivalent to the sales professional who wisely helps his customer to avoid “buyers remorse.” This kind of donation thank you letter often opens the door to future gifts for additional drives or funding objectives.
Samples Donation Thank You Letters
I am writing this letter to personally thank you for the donation you recently made to the Women for Women International organizaton. Your generous gift is helping us to aid women living in war-torn environments to rebuild their lives and communities.
As a new member of our Premium Donor’s Club, you will receive monthly newsletters to keep you abreast of our ongoing efforts. Also, to express our appreciation for your truly generous donation, we have enclosed a gift card for Barnes and Noble Booksellers. Please accept it as a token of our gratitude for your help in this important work.
Once again, we truly are grateful for your sacrifice in contributing to our work. We hope you will feel compelled to donate again in the future.
Sincerely,
Thank you, Mr./Ms. ____________, for your very generous gift to the Children With Cancer Foundation. As a first-time donor to our organization, we want you know that without generous donors like you, we would not be able to continue the important work that we do. Your will be used to help purchase $500,000 worth of much-needed medical equipment for the children’s oncology center downtown.
The greatest benefit of all, I hope, is the feeling you get knowing that you personally helped one child to fight the debilitating disease that is afflicting him or her.
As we promised, you will soon be receiving the beautiful calendar you ordered–our free gift to you for your contribution to our work. Again, thank you so much for your donation. Your continued support is sure to help us in the fight to save many promising young lives.
Many thanks,
Top Five Ways Uncle Sam Reimburses You For Helping Others
Every year, generous families around the country help others by donating time, money and goods to thousands of organizations and underprivileged recipients. But many taxpayers are NOT taking advantage of the income tax benefits that the IRS legitimately allows for their efforts. By using the proper forms and methods, your income tax savings can be in the hundreds, maybe even thousands.
While most taxpayers keep track of their monetary donations, many do not keep track of their non-cash or other charitable contributions. In many cases, these donations may even exceed your cash donations in value. Lets take look at the most common Non-Cash charitable donations and see if you may be able to make better use of these items in the future.
1. Donation of Clothes: If your spring cleaning of the closets has you selecting a variety of gently used garments to pack up and deliver to the local Goodwill, Salvation Army or AMVETS location… join the club. It is easier than having a yard sale and may be a better financial decision too.
While most garage sales collect very little, donating those same items for a fair market value can get you a sizable income tax deduction. On average the fair market value for clothing is about 30% of the new item pricing. This can add up quickly when you look at a pair of slacks at $40 to $80 and women’s blouses at $30 to $120 or more. As styles change, children outgrow or we add new clothing, many people clean out those closets a few times each year. Don’t forget to itemize your donations and get a receipt for your kindness.
2. Donation of Grocery items: Another common item that is donated on various occasions is canned goods, grocery items and even frozen turkey around the holidays. If you participate in these programs, you are entitled to take a deduction for the price that you paid for these items. With food pantries and soup kitchens in constant need of assistance along with school and church food drives, these donations can add up quickly each year.
3. Mileage for Charitable Activities: If you are one of those special individuals that donates your time and a smile to Meals on Wheels or any other non-profit organization that provides needed services in your community, the IRS will allow you to take a deduction of 14 cents per mile (for 2011) for any miles that you incur during your efforts. This can include your participation as a Scout leader, Little League board member or commissioner and many other volunteer activities. You will need to keep an extemporaneous log of your miles driven for these volunteer purposes.
4. Donated Electronics, Computers, Appliances: Many schools, boys and girls clubs and other non-profit organizations are happy to take donations of older electronics that still work. They will provide a receipt and in some cases provide a fair market value for your donation at the same time. But you need to ask for the written and itemized receipt when you make the donation if you plan to take the deduction.
5. Donated Automobiles: There are still several organizations that welcome used automobiles as a donated items. These usually represent a larger value and you should have the organization provide a market value appraisal along with their written receipt. In some cases they will even take vehicles that are not working and get them fixed for resale or use them for parts. Either way, you are allowed to take a deduction for the fair market value of your donation.
Summary: The key to all of these non-cash donations is to make sure that you get a receipt for your donation and prepare a detailed list of the items donated. While each of these five areas can save you a sizable amount of income tax, if your total is going to be more than $500, you will need to have your tax adviser file a separate form for these donations.
It is the IRS Form 8283, specifically designed for Non-Cash Charitable Contributions. It is not a hard form to fill out, but I believe you should also send a copy of your itemized list and the receipts along with your return. It is always better to over-document your deductions, especially since you have taken the time to keep good records.
If your tax preparer is reluctant to use these deductions or come up with the fair market values… look for a new tax adviser. The money you save could pay for a vacation or be added to your retirement accounts to save even more.
To discover additional financial and income tax strategies, check out my blog or download your FREE Wealth Expansion Kit by clicking here. The first step to creating wealth is knowing where you are and then charting a path that will enhance your financial strengths and correct your weaknesses.
Entered Apprentice Freemason – The First Degree
A new member to Freemasonry progresses through three ‘degrees’ being:
1st Degree: Entered Apprentice;
2nd Degree: Fellow Craft; and
3rd Degree: Master Mason
At each ‘degree’, the new member is exposed to ceremonies, moral teachings, and wisdom developed over the years. Besides the above, the other ‘degrees’ goes from the 4th to the 33rd degree, but they not regarded as higher in rank and importance; rather they expand on the teachings of the first three ‘degrees’. The majority of the fraternity remain as a Master Mason i.e. they do not go beyond the 3rd degree.
Freemasons meet today not as operative but symbolic Masons. The ceremonies performed during meetings are based on the customs of former times. The name “Entered Apprentice” refers to a person to be taught the skills of the craft, a beginner taking his first steps, and bonded to an experienced Master. Freemasonry today is an allegory of life and the Entered Apprentice Degree represents the first step in the experience.
In ancient times, the operatives used words and signs to identify themselves when travelling from building to building to guard against unlawful representation. The mystique of the so called “secrets” of Freemasonry is therefore the words and signs of identification.
When a member is initiated as an Entered Apprentice Freemason, he is invested with a plain white lambskin apron, representing the purity of life and action required of all those who call themselves Freemasons.
Freemasonry is founded on the principles of Brotherly Love, Charity, and Truth. It is not a religion or substitute for religion, has no prescribed dogmas or set of religious doctrines, and its Lodges are not places of worship.
The ceremonies performed during meetings draws the parallels between the construction of a building, and the living of a good life. A good building requires a firm foundation, so a good life must be founded on virtue.
Freemasons are expected to be charitable in thought, word, and deed; to love fellow humans, be charitable to those in need, and to deal honesty and ethically in society.
Donate to Non-Profit Organizations
One great way to help less fortunate people is to donate to non-profit organizations. These organizations are created with the common goal of helping poor and hopeless people without expecting for an exchange or any kind of profit.
People who are behind these organizations are the ones who have kind hearts and willing to render themselves in order to serve other people. How great they are because they are sharing their blessings to others.
Non-profit organizations are usually run by many organizers. The more organizers an organization has, the more it will work and succeed. The organizers are the ones who give primary help in many ways, such as promoting the organization to be known to people, finding partners to help in maintaining their causes, and searching for sponsors in order to implement plans successfully.
Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, foundations, and causes. Creating non-profit organizations does not mean that you must build a home or facility to adopt less fortunate people in order to help. In fact, some of these organizations are only made of small groups with few members; they will just work as partners of any big charities or foundations.
You can help these organizations to succeed on their endeavors through donations. With your donations, you can be able to help fulfill others’ goals, as well as you can help less fortunate people, who are the targets of these organizations.
Another good way also of helping these organizations is through promoting or sharing their causes to other people. Through promotion, they will become known to people. The more they are popular, the more chances that many people will help them. Online promotion is the common way of promoting these organizations; many people are willing to help as long as they will be given a chance. Thus, non-profit organizations are becoming popular these days, and this is good news because a lot people are now interested to render help and donate to non-profit organizations without asking something in return.
Blueprint For a Powerful Fund Raising Plan – A Summary
There are a number of key ingredients that exist in every successful organization’s fund raising plan. Organizations that have developed greater financial stability repeatedly report that these “simple” steps are often difficult to develop because they require daily practice and constant maintenance if they are to be effective. They work as well for small organizations as they do for large ones, and can be utilized in all types of settings.
There are no “quick fixes”, but rather a series of principles that can serve to build incredible strength based upon positive human relationships. Such require no large investments in high-tech equipment. They do require a very large investment of time in planning, evaluation-and in the art of human interaction.
The return you will get on this important investment will be a stronger and more financially secure organization. You will find you have a more highly motivated organization that becomes increasingly effective over time.
I. The Importance of Values and Attitudes
The greatest fund raisers have a strong belief in the organizations they work for, the programs and services, and the staff and volunteers who are colleagues. The excitement about the programs and services literally “spills over” as they talk. Their positive attitude is contagious, and others want to be with them and the program. They want to support something that works.
Fund raising is most dynamic when it develops this way. It can work through techniques, but when it is driven by “heart” and “spirit,” things are easier to accomplish and people flourish. I have provided a story at the end of this booklet about Glide, one of the places I have found with a great spirit grounded in a passionate mission and set of values. People are committed and invested, and it is not surprising to find highly effective fund raising to support the many effective programs and services..
People who are involved in developing and implementing your fund raising plan need to believe strongly in what you are doing. And in what they are doing with you.
II. Build a Strong Foundation
The best nonprofits have programs that almost sell themselves. They have the following key ingredients that make for a strong foundation:
A. Programs are based on identified community needs, and represent priorities determined by a broad, representative base of the community and its leadership.
B. Programs are highly effective. They represent excellent models for the field.
C. Staff are well qualified and respected. Staff turnover is low. Staff are paid a competitive wage, and are provided the training and development tools they need to be successful.
D. Volunteers are recruited carefully, through a structured program that receives staff guidance and support. Volunteers are involved in planning and program development, are respected and treated well.
E. The board places emphasis on building organizational excellence in all areas, from programs and staff to systems, to volunteers. The board takes its own responsibilities seriously, and engages in a careful process of recruitment, orientation, committee development and board development.
F. Organizational structures and systems are effective, constantly upgraded to meet changing needs. Board and staff are involved in planning and evaluation to ensure that each key area of the organization is functioning as it should.
G. The organization’s board and staff leaders place an emphasis on careful stewardship of financial resources, and accountability to funders, donors, constituents and the community.
III. Develop the Plan’s Key Sections
The fund raising plan should include the following sections:
Mission, Vision and Philosophy
Organization and Program Case Statements
Market Analysis: Sectors
Institutional Giving (Government Grants/Contracts, Foundations & Corporations)
Individual Giving – (Donor Solicitation; Mailings; Special Events, etc)
Earned Income – (Fees, Sales)
Roles and Responsibilities – Staff and Volunteers
Financial Goals and Giving Targets
Timeline
Evaluation and Accountability
(A longer version of this article and other resources are available on the website.)
Why Using a Car Donation Charity Center is Beneficial?
Everyone knows that car donations can help charitable organizations in a big way. And, these donations can also affect the tax a person is required to pay. It is due to this particular reason that you should go for car donations through proper channel. The best way of doing things is to get in touch with a car donation charity center. These centers offer amazing help to all those people who want to donate a car but don’t go any further due to lack of knowledge about the whole process. If you are also one of those persons who have a car and want to donate it, you should make sure you consult with a car donation charity center.
There are several benefits of doing it. Few of the most important benefits are mentioned here for your understanding.
o The first big benefit of using a car donation charity center is that it helps you enjoy some tax benefits. It means if you sell your car on your own, you will never be able to reap any tax related benefits. The reason is that there are several complications and laws associated with the whole concept. And, of course, there is a lot of paperwork involved in this process. You won’t be able to handle these things alone. That’s when a car donation charity center lends a helping hand.
o With the help of a professional charity center, you can actually enjoy better tax benefits. This is so because you will only be able to get tax deduction if your car is sold above the deductibles. And, a professional company can help you sell your car at the highest rate possible. This is one big reason why you should consult with these companies, as along with helping you with tax deduction, they also help charitable organizations by offering the maximum amount of money.
o If you try to sell your car on your own, you will have to deal with certain issues. For instance, one big issue is to let others know that your car is for sale. Also, you will have to wait for people to drop a look at your car. This can be a lengthy procedure of selling your car. On the other hand, these car donation charity centers sell your car in a really short time. This is so because they work closely with different buyers. So, you can get things done in an effective and quick way.
These are the top reasons why you should prefer consulting with a car donation charity center. These companies can be found online, but do make sure you opt for the best in the business.
20 Biggest Grant Making Foundations For Christian Organizations
The question of what foundations to turn to for funding is one Christian ministries and churches ponder over all the time. There are of course various factors to consider. The degree of compatibility between your mission and the aims of a foundation remains the most important consideration. But at a time when foundation funding is declining, it helps to know which foundations are giving the most – along with knowing a little about their overall purpose, the kinds of Christian organizations they fund, and the kinds of programs that interest them.
The following are the top 20 Christian grant funding sources in terms of funding generosity.
1. Of all the Christian grant foundations accepting applications at this time the Alharetta, Georgia-based National Christian Foundation (NCF) provides the most funds. Seeking to further the gospel of Jesus Christ, its funding territory is national. This is largely a donor advised fund. A donor-advised fund is a charitable giving vehicle administered by a third party and created for the purpose of managing charitable donations on behalf of an organization, family, or individual. A donor-advised fund offers the opportunity to create an easy-to-establish, low cost, flexible vehicle for charitable giving as an alternative to direct giving or creating a private foundation.
NCF helps individuals and families plan their giving through such programs as the Legacy Fund (after death giving). It advises them on asset giving (cash, stocks, real estate, business interests, restricted securities) and shows them how to balance income needs and estate planning goals (through charitable trusts and charitable gift annuities.)
The Single Charity Fund allows supporters to donate all kinds of assets; the Professional Advisors group – comprised of financial planners, CPA’s, attorneys, and more – advises supporters in the art of tax-efficient giving.
2. The Christian Aid Ministries is a foundation based in Berlin, Ohio. Having an international gift giving scope, the Ministries seeks to “provide spiritual and material assistance such as food, clothing, medicine, and Christian literature to needy people in various countries.” It also provides emergency funds and in-kind gifts. The Ministries supports Amish, Mennonite, and other conservative Anabaptists as they minister to the physical and religious needs of people worldwide. It aids victims of war, famine, and natural disasters.
3. The Nehemiah Corporation is a foundation out of Sacramento, California. Its mission is to facilitate “home ownership and asset development opportunities for diverse populations in underserved neighborhoods across the U.S., while maintaining a commitment to successful, responsible homeownership.” It gives mostly to California foundations and individuals and to Christian organizations that support its mission.
4. The Trinity Christian Center of Santa Ana is a foundation from Tustin, California. It supports Christian services and organizations that seek to spread the gospel around the world. It provides care, comfort, and emergency aid to the sick, the disabled, the homeless. It is also known for producing televised religious broadcasts for ministries that spread the gospel worldwide.
5. The Barnabas Foundation is a foundation from Tinley Park, Illinois that supports its nearly 200 member Christian ministries through planned giving and estate planning. Its participating churches include Legacy Churches, Good Steward Ministry Churches, Member Asset Management Churches, Member Churches. It also offers stewardship education as well as development programs that facilitate stewardship “based on God’s ownership of all gifts.”
6. The J. Bulow Campbell Foundation is an independent foundation from Atlanta, Georgia. The foundation seeks to uplift “intellectual and spiritual life, preferably projects of a permanent nature or for capital funds.” It does not fund operating expenses or recurrent programs except in cases where funding might allow a significant new program to succeed without continuing support from the foundation. It gives anonymously to church-related agencies of the Presbyterian Church, but not to congregations. It mostly supports organizations in Georgia, though it does give to organizations in Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
7. The Rupert H. Johnson Foundation is an independent foundation in San Mateo, California that generally funds only educational programs in California and Virginia. Only Christian organizations seeking grants for education programs in these two geographic regions would be eligible for funding.
8. The Rees-Jones Foundation, a family foundation based in Dallas, Texas, funds “programs that help improve the quality of life for the underserved of north Texas.” It provides employee/matching gifts and funds capital campaigns, general operations, management and program development, and scholarship funds. It supports churches that seek to relieve hunger, and it provides medical care for the mentally and physically disabled, educational opportunities for youth, and affordable housing, shelter, and spiritual development for those left behind.
9. The Poplar Foundation is an independent foundation that mostly gives within its base of Memphis and the metropolitan area. It funds mostly youth services and education. Ministries that focus on these two areas are eligible for funding.
10. The Wege Foundation, an independent foundation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, gives mostly within Kent County and above all in Grand Rapids. Christian agencies that provide health, human services, and education are likelier to receive funding from the foundation than those that do not. It funds annual campaigns, building/renovation, capital campaigns, curriculum development, endowments, equipment, matching/challenge campaigns, and program development.
11. The Hope Christian Community Foundation is a Christian public charity community foundation in Memphis, Tennessee that “helps Christians share their wealth with others in the most thoughtful and efficient ways.” It serves ministries by administering and managing agency funds, offering a cash management pool, investing endowments, and making grants through the Hope of Memphis Fund. It partners with churches to serve the community, administer church and donor-advised funds for church members, and offer a cash management pool.
12. The Maclellan Foundation is a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based independent foundation. It gives internationally and nationally, stressing Chattanooga. It is the largest of a group of four family foundations that are committed to “fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ through strategic giving.” The foundation provides financial and leadership training to local organizations that enhance the spiritual wellbeing of the Commission by working “to extend the Kingdom of God to every tribe, nation, person, and tongue.” Toward that end, the foundation offers consulting services, equipment, general/operating support, program development and evaluation, and seed money to Christian organizations.
13. The New York City-based American Bible Society is a foundation that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible in every language it can. The Society wants every person “to experience the Bible’s life changing message.” It collaborates with other Christian organizations including Faith Comes by Hearing, the creator of an audio version of the Bible. Other partners are Feed the Children, the Military Ministry, Mission Year, Samaritan Purse/Operation Christmas Child, United Bible Societies, and the National Association of State and Regional Bible Societies.
14. The National Endowment Association is a public charity in Princeton, Indiana that helps small to mid-sized charities in the United States, mostly religious ministries, endow funds. The objective is to free ministries from the constant demands of fundraising so they can devote more time to their missions. The association helps them solicit long-term planned gifts, something the larger charities already have the means to do. It helps them tap into larger funding sources through tax-exempt planning. It also helps them promote their charity by offering website templates, educational classes, marketing material templates, marketing/fundraising consultation, and donor/consumer seminars.
15. The Harold Simmons Foundation of Dallas, Texas is a company-sponsored foundation. It provides grants that support zoos, arts and culture, education, energy, health, substance abuse treatment, HIV/AIDS treatment, disaster relief, athletics, human services, human rights, community development, programs that address women’s issues, and Christian organizations. It gives mostly in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
16. The Norcliffe Foundation is an independent foundation in Seattle, Washington. It gives to organizations that benefit the arts and cultural organizations, hospitals, early childhood development, higher and secondary education, and historic preservation. It also supports medical research and health associations, hospices, the environment and conservation, and social services that include programs for the disabled, the homeless, child welfare, youth agencies, and the aged. The foundation‘s Christian grantees are the Roman Catholic Church and religious associations. It gives mostly in the Puget Sound area of Washington, especially in Seattle.
17. The Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation of Wilmington, Delaware is an independent foundation that gives throughout the United States. It supports nonprofit institutions, communities, and organizations that support research, medical, health, educational, sports, social services, and artistic programs in communities across the nation. Christian organizations that work in any of these areas are eligible for funding.
18. The Harry J. Lloyd Charitable Trust in Overland Park, Kansas “supports God’s work as described in the Great Commission by spreading evangelism throughout the world.” It primarily supports organizations and programs that further this mission. The Trust provides grants that help start new ministries or new programs or expand current programs. It funds organizations that are creative, accountable, stable, and effective. It also funds Christian programs that provide housing, food, medical assistance, and education for the poor. It may also support medical research in different areas.
19. The Lynn and Foster Freiss Family Foundation is an independent foundation out of Jackson, Wyoming. It mostly funds faith-based entrepreneurial programs, especially one-one-one mentoring. The foundation provides general/operating support, matching/challenge support, and program-related investment/loans.
20. IBS-STL is a foundation from Colorado Springs, Colorado. It came about in 2007 from a merger of the National Bible Society and Send the Light. It gives nationally and internationally to Christian organizations that further its mission of translating, interpreting, and publishing the Bible. Its goal is to give more and more people throughout the world the opportunity to experience the Bible.
Some foundations exist solely to benefit Christian ministries and churches. Others lack a direct connection to Christianity but work to solve problems that are at the core of Christian concern. Some have a limited geographic focus; others have a national focus; still others have an international focus. But wherever your organization operates, and whatever programs it has, many (if not most) of these foundations are viable funding possibilities for your organization. And there are countless other possibilities. The Christian Funding Directory (CFD), Foundation Directory Online, and Foundation Search are the most valuable sources of information about foundations.