Giving to Idlewild Baptist Church or to The Idlewild Foundation is easy.

Your gifts to Idlewild Baptist Church ensure the continuation of its mission and ministry far into the future. Your gifts to The Idlewild Foundation help us support the ministries of Idlewild Baptist Church and the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Tampa Bay region and beyond. By making a charitable bequest, your heirs will see the important role that faith and Idlewild played in your life.

Here are wording options you can share with your attorney and estate planner in making a charitable bequest to Idlewild or to the Foundation:

  • To designate the amount of your bequest

    “I give, devise, and bequeath to Idlewild Baptist Church, Lutz, Florida or to The Idlewild Foundation, Lutz, Florida the sum of _____ dollars ($ ___ ) [or other specifically described personal or real property] for its general uses and purposes.”

  • To designate a specific percentage of your estate or the residuary of your estate

“I give, devise, and bequeath to Idlewild Baptist Church, Lutz, Florida or to The Idlewild Foundation, Lutz, Florida an amount equal to _____ percent (___%) of the value of my gross or net estate at the time of my death for its general uses and purposes.”

  • To designate a residuary bequest

“I give, devise, and bequeath to Idlewild Baptist Church, Lutz, Florida or to The Idlewild Foundation, Lutz, Florida all of the residuary of my estate, both real and personal, after all specific bequests for its general uses and purposes.”

  • To designate a contingent bequest

“If the above-named beneficiaries ( or if __________) should predecease me, then I give, devise, and bequeath to Idlewild Baptist Church, Lutz, Florida or to The Idlewild Foundation, Lutz, Florida all of my property and estate, both real and personal, for its general uses and purposes.”

Gifts can also be designated to go to specific ministries or departments such as missions, recreation, children’s ministries, music, etc. with only a few simple changes in the wording of the above paragraphs.

Please do not draft a will yourself or attempt to do so using an online service or form will. There are many simple mistakes that can void your will and leave your estate to be distributed according to Florida law of forfeited to the state in some circumstances. Any will or trust should always be written by a skilled and capable attorney familiar with your personal financial circumstances, your family situation, and your specific wishes for your estate. Advice from an attorney and financial adviser should be sought when considering charitable giving. If you are uncertain about how to move forward with a kingdom-oriented gift, give us a call at (813) 264-8713.

About the Author

John Campbell has retired from a 40-year legal practice as a trial attorney in Tampa. He has served in multiple volunteer roles at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida, where he met Jesus.  He began serving as the Executive Director of the Idlewild Foundation in 2016.  He has been married to the love of his life, Mona Puckett Campbell, since 1972.