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Qualified charitable distributions

Send part of an eligible IRA directly into ministry.

If you are at least 70½, an eligible IRA distribution sent directly to Life Church may qualify as a QCD. Our free builder creates a letter for your custodian.

Typical timeAbout 10 minutes
2026 individual limit$111,000

A clear path

How it works

Your IRA custodian—not Life Church—determines what paperwork and delivery method it will accept.

  1. 01

    Confirm eligibility

    Review your age, IRA type, annual limit, and personal circumstances with your custodian or adviser.

  2. 02

    Create the letter

    Enter non-sensitive details below. The builder produces a printable request addressed to your custodian.

  3. 03

    Add your account by hand

    After printing, add your IRA account number and signature. Never send the account number to Life Church.

  4. 04

    Submit and follow up

    Send the request using your custodian’s process and make sure the distribution is completed by its deadline.

Free letter builder

Create your IRA instruction letter.

Enter only non-sensitive details. You’ll add your IRA account number by hand after printing.

This template is educational and does not guarantee QCD eligibility. Review it with your IRA custodian or adviser before submitting.

Important distinctions

A QCD is not an ordinary IRA withdrawal.

The distribution must move directly from an eligible IRA custodian to an eligible charity. Do not rely on this page alone to determine tax treatment.

Questions, answered

Before you submit the letter.

Does every IRA distribution qualify?

No. Eligibility depends on age, account type, recipient, timing, and other circumstances. Ask your custodian or adviser to confirm.

Can Life Church submit the request for me?

No. Only you or an authorized representative can instruct your IRA custodian. We can provide recipient information and help identify the gift when it arrives.

What if my custodian requires its own form?

Use the custodian’s form. The generated letter can still serve as a reference for Life Church’s legal name, address, EIN, and your intended designation.