Endowment Fund
“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
Our current Endowment Committee Members: Don Boyce (Chairman), Larry Pflederer (Treasurer), Lori Miller, Becky Traut, Linda Lehman, Carol Sim-Campbell, Mark Schweitzer (Chair of Trustees), Matt Nostrand (Resource Rep), and Senior Pastor Jay Carr
Purpose
The UMCL Endowment Fund was created to provide a permanent fund to support the mission and purpose of the church for many years to come. The Endowment Committee encourages gifts to the fund, oversees investment of the funds and determines use of funds for church related purposes not in the regular church budget.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”-2 Corinthians 9:7
Hear More About a Few of Our Projects:
Gifting
Gifts to the fund can be made by cash or check, assets such as stocks and bonds, a bequest in your will or trust, a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA, annuities and insurance policies with the church as beneficiary, or by giving other assets. Your financial advisor or lawyer can advise you of tax benefits that may be available for gifts to the fund. Gifts to the fund are “gifts that keep on giving”, sustaining the future of the church. The assets are invested for the long term in low cost mutual funds, with annual spending limited to 4% of the rolling 3 year average value of the fund. The expected return on the assets is around 7%, so the excess stays in the fund, compounds, and enables the fund to keep up with inflation. It is truly a forever fund. Future beneficiaries will appreciate the everlasting value of your gifts in support of God’s work.
Projects Supported by the Endowment Fund in Recent Years
Among the specific ministries that the Endowment Fund has supported in recent years are these:
Mission trips Scholarships for Christian education and Stephen Ministry training Upgrades to the church organ Meals for underserved children and families in Lake County Improvements in the physical property of the church The church trailer and equipment used for multiple purposes Small group training programs Several other ministries not included in the church budget
Jim Grace playing some of our favorite hymns on the church organ
The church trailer after being updated in order to be used for various missions
A tree planted in memory of one of our donors, Connie Sheffer.
Applying for Funding for Your Project
During the first calendar quarter of each year, the committee solicits requests for funding from the congregation and its leaders. If you have an idea needing financial support, you can apply for funding using the online form or by filling out a hard copy form available in the church office. The committee determines which projects it will support in the May- June time frame each year.
Questions?
If you have questions, feel free to contact one of the pastors or an Endowment Committee member. If you want to see the Endowment fund charter and/or policy guidelines, click on the appropriate link below.
