The 1956 Society hearkens back to famed evangelist Billy Graham's founding of Christianity Today in 1956. The Society gives CT's readers and partners a significant way to honor Christianity Today and Billy Graham's vision to give the church a model for communicating biblical conviction with love, what we today call Beautiful Orthodoxy.

If your Christian life has been influenced in meaningful ways by CT, you can shape the ministry's future for years to come. We can help ensure your giving intent and granting desires are carried out faithfully, both during and after your lifetime, and your generosity and legacy lives on.

There are several ways you can join The 1956 Society:

Wills and Living Trusts

To leave a gift in your will or living trust, simply share this sentence below with your attorney or financial planner:

I give to Christianity Today International, 465 Gundersen Avenue, Carol Stream, Illinois, the sum of _______ Dollars ($_____) (or _____% of my adjusted gross estate) for its general purposes.

Here are various examples of how you can remember CT in your will with sample wording that you can use.

IRA and Retirement Funds

You can also add Christianity Today as a primary beneficiary on your IRA or other retirement funds to be received by our nonprofit ministry at the time of your passing. These gifts avoid federal income and estate taxes and is another way to carry on your legacy.

If Christianity Today is listed in your estate plans, please let us know so that we can honor your generosity now to our ministry and include you in The 1956 Society.

Charitable Gift Annuities

If you are 55 or over, and you want a stable source of revenue with a tax deduction, a gift annuity is for you.

A gift annuity is a transfer of cash, appreciated securities, or property to our partner National Christian Foundation that then provides you with a promised source of fixed payments for your life. You will receive an immediate charitable tax deduction for the gift portion of the annuity to Christianity Today, while also furthering our mission of thoughtful Christian journalism.

A minimum amount to start an annuity is $10,000, and can include you or up to two annuitants. If you’re interested, we can answer your questions and give you a personalized illustration for your review.