We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our donors. By leaving a portion of their estates to ZEMA, two generous donors made it possible for ZEMA to lower and maintain the missionary administrative costs to a level that is, in most cases, less than half the amount required by similar organizations. 

Bequests: You can designate ZEMA as a beneficiary in your will or trust. This can be a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or a residual bequest after other obligations are met.

Beneficiary Designations: You can name ZEMA as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy, retirement account, or other financial accounts. This is a simple way to make a significant impact without altering your will.

Charitable Remainder Trusts: These trusts provide income to you or your loved ones for a specified period, with the remainder going to ZEMA. This can offer tax benefits for you while simultaneously supporting ZEMA.

These two methods of missionary support could allow you to contribute to ZEMA’s ministries and ZEMA missionaries in a way that would simultaneously reduce your taxable income. QCDs and RMDs can be directed to support organizations and ministries within any organization with approved 501(c)(3) status. 

QCDs: the IRS allows people over the age of 70.5 years to make donations that lower their taxable income by directing funds from their IRAs, 401(k)s, or other tax-deferred retirement accounts to support charitable organizations and ministries like ZEMA. 

RMDs: Investors over the age of seventy-three are allowed to satisfy the IRS’s mandated minimum distribution by utilizing QCDs.  

QCDs and RMDs can be designated for individual missionaries since they are employed by ZEMA, which is recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization. If you would like to support a ZEMA missionary or ministry in this manner, please reach out to your financial advisor and ZEMA’s donor processing. These may then work together to ensure it is completed in the way the IRS requires. 

Getting Started

• Check out the following PDF summary documents for QCDs and RMDs. These explain in greater detail how these types of donations might be accomplished.  

• For basic questions, you may contact:  Matt Shears (On ZEMA’s Board of Directors. PH +1 720 473 3638, [email protected] )Bob Thompson (Composed the Summary PDF documents. PH +1 847 790 6441, [email protected])
• Deeply interested? Consult your financial advisor or estate planning attorney to explore the options described to determine the best approach for your situation.
• Finally, after consulting with your financial advisor, contact ZEMA’s donor processing to put them in contact with your financial advisor. They will work together to ensure it is completed in the way the IRS requires.