In a world of fleeting moments, giving to the Endowment Fund emerges as a testament to our dedication to leaving a legacy that reverberates through time. This fund isn’t just about contributions; it’s about shaping the very essence of our church’s story for generations to come. As we embark on this path of giving, let’s delve into why supporting the Endowment Fund holds profound importance and how it empowers us to shape the destiny of our beloved community.
History | Purpose
Our Endowment Fund was established during the ministry of Pastor Blaine Taylor, our current Pastor’s father, and has benefited our church many times over in the years since. The Endowment Fund serves as a perpetual avenue for donors to contribute to UMCO’s legacy, allowing them to establish named opportunities and programs, explore diverse planned gift options, and extend our appeal to supporters beyond annual and capital gifts. Your contribution to our Endowment Fund will leave a lasting mark on our church community, empowering us to carry out our mission for generations to come.
Use of Funds
The Endowment Fund has thus far supported:
- Building Maintenance and Improvement: Over the years, the Endowment Fund has played a pivotal role in supporting our church. We have been able to renovate our sanctuary, enabling us to maintain and improve our sacred space for worship. We sit in an air-conditioned sanctuary thanks to the Fund. We added our beautiful solarium, the elevator, the balcony, additional space in our sanctuary, a choir room and so much more. We have put two roofs on the church and repaired our organ. We used the funds to enhance our audio-visual experience including the streaming of our services that those who cannot be present for worship can enjoy.
Our Vision
Together in Christ, Committed to Serve.
We have a vision for the future of our Endowment Fund that extends beyond building maintenance alone. While ensuring the upkeep of our sacred space is crucial, we aspire to cultivate a versatile and robust fund dedicated to enriching our community in various ways. Our goal is to harness the potential of the Endowment Fund to create lasting impact through the development of specialized programs.
- Programs for Children: We aim to establish dedicated resources within our Endowment Fund to nurture the growth and development of our youngest members. These funds will enable us to create innovative and educational programs that cater specifically to the needs and interests of our children. From Sunday School enhancements to youth leadership initiatives, we envision a vibrant and engaging environment where our children can thrive spiritually, intellectually, and socially.
- Music Programs: Music has always played an integral role in our worship and community life. With the support of our Endowment Fund, we aspire to take our music programs to new heights. This includes expanding our choir, offering music scholarships, and hosting concerts and events that not only enrich our congregation’s worship experience but also resonate with the wider community.
- Outreach Endeavors: Our commitment to community outreach knows no bounds. We envision utilizing the Endowment Fund to extend our outreach efforts, making a meaningful impact on those in need within our local community and beyond. Whether it’s providing vital resources, supporting social justice initiatives, or responding to emergencies, these funds will empower us to be a beacon of hope and support in the world.
By diversifying the use of our Endowment Fund, we aim to create a legacy that encompasses not only the preservation of our physical space but also the enrichment of our spiritual and communal lives. Through your contributions and support, we can realize this vision, ensuring that our church remains a source of inspiration, education, and compassion for generations to come. Together, we can build a future where our Endowment Fund becomes a powerful catalyst for positive change, touching the lives of children, music enthusiasts, and those in need through our outreach endeavors.
Types of Gifts
We welcome a variety of gift types to the Endowment Fund, including:
- Bequests: A gift designated in your will or living trust.
- Cash Donations/Write a Check: Direct financial contributions that are immediately invested.
- Charitable Gift Annuity: Involves entering into an agreement with the New England Foundation, with the income provided to beneficiaries determined based on their age(s).
- Charitable Remainder Trusts: Establishing a Unitrust, Equity Trust that provides income to you or your loved ones, with the remaining assets going to the Endowment Fund.
- Consider adding the Gift of Your Home: Whether it be an immediate contribution or a bequest for the future. Opting for the former entails no immediate alterations to your living arrangements; you retain possession and upkeep of your residence while benefiting from a substantial tax deduction.
- Life Insurance Policies: Naming our church as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy.
- Property: Other gifts of real estate, appreciated stocks, bonds, or other assets.
Investment of the Fund
Our Endowment Fund is managed prudently to ensure long-term growth and stability. We work with experienced financial professionals to invest the funds wisely, seeking to generate returns while minimizing risk.
- Endowment Fund Categories:
- Permanently Restricted Endowment: Designed to preserve the original gift in perpetuity, with only the income generated used for specific purposes.
- Temporarily Restricted Endowment: Similar to permanently restricted funds, but with time-limited restrictions, allowing for the principal to be used at a later date.
- Unrestricted Endowment: Offers flexibility, as funds can be allocated for general purposes as determined by the church’s leadership.
- Board Authority:
- The Board has the discretion to establish additional categories within the Fund as needed.
- Permanently or temporarily restricted endowment gifts that establish named funds require board approval, including the gift itself, proposed names, and any accompanying restrictions.
- Contributions:
- Contributions, whether in the form of money or personal/real property, are welcome from anyone.
- Contributions must adhere to the provisions outlined in this resolution and any related policies.
- Fund Management:
- All property contributed to the Fund becomes the property of UMCO.
- These assets are held, managed, invested, and expended strictly in accordance with the rules outlined in this resolution and any related policies.
- Legal Status:
- The Fund is not a separate legal entity; it is considered an integral part of UMCO’s property.
- It operates under the authority of the board in accordance with the Book of Discipline.
How to Designate Your Gift
If you are interested in leaving a gift to our Endowment Fund, we encourage you to:
- Consult with Professionals: Seek advice from your financial advisor or attorney to determine the best way to include our church in your estate plans.
- Contact Us: Reach out to our church office to discuss your intentions. We are here to answer your questions and provide guidance.
- Legal Documentation: Work with your attorney to include specific language in your will or trust designating your gift to the Endowment Fund.
- Notification: Inform us of your plans, so we can express our gratitude and ensure your wishes are fulfilled.
Leaving a legacy gift to our Endowment Fund is a powerful way to ensure that the work and mission of our church continue to thrive in the years ahead. Your generosity will be remembered and cherished by future generations of our congregation.
Testimonials
Listen to Jack Cotton’s “I make an Eternal Difference” presentation this summer. He challenged us to do three things: Imagine what it will be like for you to make an eternal difference in this church campus, pray about what it will be like to make an eternal difference here, listen to the details of what even a minor contribution from your estate plan to this church can do to make a difference.
Listen to Lise Beane’s presentation Watch here! She let us know what she has done to eternally help this church. She makes this form of giving very simple and clear cut.
Listen to Brett Harrison’s presentation AVAILABLE SOON
Endowment Committee:
- Chair: David Eaton
- Lois Taylor
- Carole Eichner
- Trace Schrafft
- Carl Riedell
- Dick Weir
- Bill Cutcliffe
- Heather Wolfe (ad hoc)
Board of Trustees:
- Chair: Jeanine Farrell
- Vice Chair: Trace Schrafft
- David Eaton
- Ted Eaton
- Sharlene Moran
- Fred Hembree
- Linda Fermino
- Heather Wolfe
- Marty DeMartino
For more information or to discuss your legacy gift, please contact:
Gary Melville Director of Development United Methodist Foundation of New England Phone: 501-641-5568 Email: gmelville@umfne.org
or
Dick Weir at, 774-487-1450 or email him at grichweir@gmail.com