GIVING AS DEVOTION: Brenda & Tom Sloan
For Brenda and Tom Sloan, giving is an act of worship. Together they devoted 77 years of service to Indiana Wesleyan University, formerly Marion College. Each joined the staff shortly after graduating: Tom rose from admissions counselor to director and later associate director of admissions, while Brenda began as a nursing instructor, earned a master’s degree, and became an assistant professor of nursing.
Giving on Purpose – and on Principle
For the Sloans, studying where and how to give has always been an integral aspect of their financial generosity. In recent years, they’ve made use of an IRA charitable rollover—technically a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).
- Who qualifies? Anyone age 73 or older may direct funds straight from a traditional IRA to a public charity.
- Why? Money sent directly to a charity never passes through the donor’s hands, so the transfer isn’t counted as taxable income. Taking the distribution first and then writing a check would still trigger ordinary income tax.
“IT’S A CONSCIOUS ACT OF OBEDIENCE... WHATEVER WE’VE BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH, GOD ASKS US TO STEWARD WELL.”
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BRENDA SLOAN ’76
Marion College Graduate, Assistant Professor of Nursing
- How much? Beginning in 2025 the annual QCD limit is indexed for inflation; for 2025 it is $108,000.
- Record-keeping: Donors must receive no goods or services in return and need written acknowledgment from each recipient organization.
- Required Minimum Distributions: At age 72, the IRS demands that account holders withdraw a minimum amount each year. Using a QCD to satisfy that requirement keeps the full amount in ministry rather than the tax column.
“The Bible says to give 10 percent, but really 100 percent belongs to the Lord—we’re just stewards,” Brenda said. “Scripture mentions money more than 2,300 times. If God talks about it that much, we need to listen.”
A 37-Year Habit
The Sloans have been giving to IWU’s Church Matching Scholarship for nearly four decades. “If our gift can help students, it’s worth it,” Brenda added.
A resource that shaped their approach is the Ron Blue Institute book “Free to Follow”, which frames generosity through a biblical lens. Their advice: research, pray, and start early so giving becomes a lifelong rhythm rather than a last-minute decision at retirement.
“It’s a conscious act of obedience,” Brenda said. “Even the widow had two mites to give. Whatever we’ve been entrusted with, God asks us to steward well.”