Supporting IWS

Mission is accomplished through the muscle provided by money. Mission and money must always coexist. The mission of IWS is sustained through the generosity of its donors who sense a calling from God to support this graduate school focused on the renewal of Christian worship, educating Christian leaders across the globe.

IWS is the only school in the world dedicated to graduate education in the biblical foundations, theological reflections, historical development, and cultural analysis of worship. Our mission is to form leaders in worship renewal, with the perspective that “the way to the future runs through the past.” Students study with a superior faculty of worship scholars holding full-time positions in colleges, seminaries, and churches. The IWS education is an applicable and stimulating education that prepares Christians intellectually and spiritually to participate in the worldwide renewal of the Church through God-honoring worship.

Since our establishment in 1999, IWS has been blessed with the ability to build a school and a generous community of loyal supporters. Each year we receive financial gifts from 100 percent of our trustees, almost 100 percent of our faculty and staff, and over 40 percent of our alumni, as well as generous contributions from friends, churches, and foundations. Due to this ongoing generosity, we have been enabled to educate over 700 graduates who come from more than 100 denominations, almost every state in the US, and more than 30 other nations. Each week IWS students and graduates impact tens of millions of people worldwide through their worship leading and teaching.

How to Support IWS

Cash, Credit Cards, and Online Gifts

Donors may make gifts by cash, check, or credit card.

Donations by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and electronic checks may be made online or by phone (904-264-2172 or 800-282-2977). Checks should be mailed to IWS (4001 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32007). Cash gifts should be made in person for security reasons.

If you would like to make a pledge or have any questions, please contact the IWS president by email at president@iws.edu.

Gifts of Appreciated Assets

Gifts of appreciated assets — like stocks — have two main financial benefits: a charitable deduction for the present fair market value and no capital gains tax on the appreciation. Call or email the IWS president to complete a stock transfer for the benefit of IWS.

Matching Gifts

You can multiply your gift to IWS if your employer has a matching gift program. Thousands of companies have programs that will double, or even triple, individual tax-deductible contributions made by their employees. Check with your personnel office to find out about your company’s matching gift program. IWS is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization and all gifts are tax-deductible according to law.

Honorary and Memorial Gifts

Annual fund gifts may be made in honor of a loved one, faculty or staff member. Naming opportunities, including named financial aid scholarships are available.

Bequests and Legacy Giving

Before creating your estate plan and before you sell your business, property, or other appreciated assets, take time to learn about your charitable options. By including qualified charities in your planning you can legally channel capital gains taxes, income taxes, and estate taxes towards the support of Christian causes like IWS.

According to a study at the Boston College Center for Wealth and Philanthropy, by the year 2052, $41 trillion in wealth will be transferred from one generation to the next. In spite of this looming intergenerational transfer of wealth, over 70% of Americans do not have a current will! Without a plan to pass on your personal assets, you and your estate are left at the mercy of the IRS.

We encourage all those in the IWS community to employ long-term estate planning to maximize your legacy to your loved ones and your charitable interests. We also strongly urge you to seriously consider IWS as one of your priority charitable interests. While the annual support of the IWS community is crucial to the fulfillment of our sustainable mission, deferred support like estate planning can leave a Kingdom legacy with an impact that spans multiple generations. This kind of gift is often the single most significant act of generosity toward God that most of us will ever perform. Let your hands be your executor instead of the government!

In 2009 IWS received notice of our first official bequest from an alumnus. A bequest is a simple way to create a legacy that generously provides for the future of IWS and demonstrates love and support for the advancement of our mission. The inclusion of the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies in estate planning assures that your gift will have enduring influence and impact.

Remember: Contact your estate planning attorney and tax professionals for legal and tax advice for employing any charitable giving strategy. The information at iws.edu is not a replacement for (not intended to be) legal or tax advice; for legal or tax advice, consult an attorney. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only. All references to estate taxes and income taxes refer to federal taxes only. Taxes and related laws vary from state to state and may impact your results.

Thank you for your gift to advance the work of worship renewal through IWS.

To give to a fund not listed, please contact the IWS Office. You can let us know if the gift is a memorial or if there are any other special circumstances in the last box on the form. All gifts are tax-deductible. Donations are in U.S. dollars.

We accept electronic checks (eChecks) as well as credit cards issued by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

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