A charitable lead trust (CLT) helps you provide resources for your favorite ministry and receive tax benefits without giving up assets that you want your family to receive some day. A CLT may be funded with cash, stocks or property. When the trust is established you chose a set period of years or the lifetime(s) of close family members during which the trust makes payments to the ministry you have designated. At the conclusion of the term, the assets in the trust are passed to you, a family member or other beneficiary you’ve selected.