Below is the text from four congregational Mission Endowment Fund brochures.  You will need to incorporate photos and other graphics of your congregation to customize the brochure for your use.

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Salem Lutheran Church
Lake Mills, Iowa

Enduring Gift Fund

Investing in the work of Christ’s Church Now and in the Future

Background and Purpose:
The Enduring Gift Fund of Salem Lutheran Church as established by action of a congregational meeting on January 28, 1999.

The purpose of the fund is to support the work and mission of Salem Lutheran Church in and beyond our community. No portion of the fund will be used to support regular operating expenses at Salem Lutheran Church.

The fund is called an “enduring” fund because only the interest which the fund accumulates will be disbursed. Your gift to the fund literally will “endure” and keep giving for years to come.

The fund is not meant to replace or in anyway alter the donations received for memorials which will continue to be separately administered. Only those gift and bequests that are specifically designated to the Enduring Gift Fund of Salem Lutheran Church will be administered by the Fund Committee.

The Fund is to receive gifts and bequests, and hold the principal of such gifts and bequests and to expend the income exclusively for the Fund’s designated purposes.

How Can I Give?
Gifts can come from cash, stocks or bonds, real estate, life insurance policies, annuities, wills, trusts or memorials.

Life insurance policies may name Salem Lutheran Enduring Gift Fund as sole beneficiary or one of several beneficiaries (e.g., major benefactors being your children and 10% to the Fund.)

Property can be donated to the Enduring Gift Fund while you retain the income from it during your lifetime.

Making a bequest in your will to the Enduring Gift Fund assures that your wishes are carried out as you desire.

Memorials in the name of a friend or relative can be given directly to the Fund.

What Will My Gift Do?
The Salem Lutheran Endowment Gift Fund is designed to be an active source of mission support in and beyond Salem Lutheran Church. Gifts will accumulate for 5 years, or until a balance of $250,000 is reached. The interest income will then be disbursed in accordance with the following general guidelines:

• 1/3 Missions and outreach into the community.
• 1/3 Missions and outreach beyond our community.
• 1/3 Capital improvements, restoration, or building programs for Salem Lutheran Church.

 Salem Church Council approval is needed for programs that the Fund supports.

 If you are interest in giving to the Salem Enduring Gift Fund see one of the pastors, one of the committee members or your financial planner.

 Members of the Enduring Gift Fund committee are:

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Grace Lutheran Endowment Fund

“Alive Together with Christ”

“But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ . . .” Ephesians 2:4-5

We use the phrase and logo “Alive Together with Christ” to call attention to Christ’s continuing work in, with and through God’s people that the church may fulfill its mission to proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ and build his kingdom on earth. The church’s life revolves around the ministries on the outer rim of our logo: + Worship + Education + Fellowship + Service + Witness, which are the means to share the good news of Jesus. These areas of ministry provide a purpose-driven life for our congregation and ourselves because they encompass the principles of the Christian life. Grace is a place where people are led by the Holy Spirit to develop a vibrant relationship with the Lord and his people; and where people use their spiritual gifts in service to others. At the congregation’s January 2004 semi-annual meeting Grace members approved a resolution amending the by-laws to establish an endowment fund for the long-term benefit of Grace Lutheran Church and its ministries.

Purpose of the Fund:
The Grace Endowment Fund will receive and maintain unrestricted gifts and bequests. The purpose of the endowed capital is to provide earnings to fund internal ministries, mission work (outreach programs), and capital improvements (improvements to building and grounds, and property acquisition) beyond the scope of the operating budget of the congregation. In the normal course of congregational life, the principal of the fund would be controlled at its original value adjusted upward for inflation, and would provide earnings each year, including interest, dividends, and growth capital in the event of principal growth beyond the controlled level.

Fund Management:
The Administrating Commission and Congregation Council will oversee the Endowment Fund which will be managed by a three-person task force elected by the congregation. The Pastor serves ex officio on this Endowment Fund Task Force (EFTF). Funds will be invested by an outside professional investment organization chosen by the EFTF. The investment objective is to provide long-term growth of assets in the Fund, and funds will be managed so that purchasing power of earnings keeps pace with inflation to the extent possible.

Stewardship of the Fund:
The EFTF is steward of the Fund, including receiving gifts, investing them and recommending to Council distributions of earnings to be used for mission work, ministry work, and/or capital improvements. Commissions may also recommend distributions of earnings to the EFTF and Council. The Congregation Council will make the final decision on distributions of earnings. With approval by at least a two-thirds vote at a properly called meeting of the congregation, the principal in the Fund may be utilized to help the congregation rectify an economically devastating situation.

How you become involved:
You may give to the ministries of Grace through bequests in wills, living trusts, designations of pension plans, assignments of life insurance, certificates of deposit, and/or transfer of property such as cash, stocks bonds and real estate. The endowment fund is established to receive only unrestricted gifts that may be used to fund ministries and capital improvements beyond the scope of the operating budget of the congregation. Gifts may be anonymous or as specified by the donor. Your contribution or bequest to the Grace Lutheran Endowment Fund will provide the means to strengthen and increase the congregation’s ministries through earnings and the growth of endowed capital.

Families approach such financial decisions in different ways. In most cases an appropriate route might be to discuss options with: (1) your spouse, (2) your personal financial advisor, and (3) an official of Grace. Appropriate contacts at Grace are the pastor and/or any member of the Endowment Fund Task Force.

Calvary Lutheran Church
Fort Worth, Texas

Calvary Lutheran Endowment Fund

Planned giving allows our gifts to go on giving long after we have gone.

About the Calvary Lutheran Church Endowment Fund:
The organization and structure of the Endowment Fund was established at the Congregational Annual meeting in January 2000. The congregation voted approval of the document and election of a five member committee recommended by the church council.

Endowment funds differ from annual giving. As a permanent fund, endowment income from interest or dividends only is available for distribution.

Three areas of support were designated for the use of available funds.

All funds expended within the 3 areas must be approved by the church council.

Only income from the principal is available for approved purposes.

How is the Income Used?
Generally, the Endowment Fund income is used for the following beneficial purposes not usually included in the church’s annual operating budget. Gifts may include donor restricted gifts.

1. Improvements and enhancements to Congregation facilities, furnishings, and equipment.

2. Christian Education: within the congregation and beyond i.e. Scholarship, Youth programs, Grants for members to attend special training or educational events.

3. Mission development i.e. Support for the mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Outdoor ministries, Social Services and Educational facilities.

Easy ways you can include the Church in your financial plans.
Bequest by will/trust—Add a codicil to update your will including Calvary Lutheran to receive a gift via will or living trust.

“Payable on Death” (POD acct.)--Name your church as beneficiary of your CD, Money Market or Savings Account. (You retain control during your lifetime.)

Life Insurance—give a paid-up policy you don’t need and get a tax deduction: or designate a percentage of an existing or new policy.

Gift Annuity—may increase your lifetime income (part tax free), qualify for an immediate income tax deduction and provide for a future gift to Calvary Lutheran Church Endowment fund. Your Income can start now or begin at a later date.

Charitable Remainder Trust—a special way for persons with significant assets to increase current income and avoid all income tax deductions. Funded with securities, capital gains taxes, plus qualify for substantial mutual funds, real estate or cash. Calvary receives the trust “remainder” after your gone.

IRA’s/other Retirement Income—Name the church to receive the balance of an account when you pass on. Avoid potential future triple taxes on retirement accounts.

Give your House, Farm, Vacation Home—and retain the right to live there too.

Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church
DeKalb, Illinois

Mission Endowment Fund

“As each has received a gift, employ it for another . . . in order in everything God may be glorified.” 1 Peter 4:10-11

The Challenge:
The long history of Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in missions will be enhanced through gifts to the Mission Endowment Fund.

Purpose:
The purpose of the Mission Endowment Fund is to enhance the mission outreach of the Church apart from the general operating budget of the congregation. Gifts will extend God’s work within our church, the community, and the world.

Distribution:
Investment income from the Mission Endowment Fund will be distributed annually at such times as deemed necessary and/or feasible to accomplish the following:

w        Outreach to our youth and community youth

w        Outreach to adults and seniors

w        Support for social ministries

w        Enhancements of music and education

w        Capital improvements, debt reduction, and/or building program of Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church

w        Other ministries deemed to be appropriate

 Unique Features:

w        The Mission Endowment Fund Committee receives request and makes recommendations to the Congregational Council regarding expenditures to support the above ministries

w        For each gift received, an initial tithe of 10% is distributed before the one year anniversary of the gift.

w        The Mission Endowment Fund Committee recommends to the Congregational Council how the Fund should be invested and managed.

w        The Mission Endowment Fund should maintain a principal of at least $100,000.

 What types of gifts can I make to the Mission Endowment Fund?
The Mission Endowment Fund can receive many forms of gifts and bequests.

Cash and Securities—You can make contributions of cash and securities to the Fund on a one-time or on a periodic basis. gifts of appreciated stocks and bonds can often provide you significant tax advantages.

Real Estate—You can make a contribution of real estate or other items of value in consultation with the Mission Endowment Fund Committee.

Life Insurance—You can make a gift to the fund of an existing life insurance policy or purchase another with the Fund as the principal beneficiary.

Charitable Gift Annuity—You can create a charitable gift annuity providing income for yourself or someone else while also providing the Fund a sizable portion.

Trust—You can establish a trust with all assets managed by a trustee, with the Fund as the named beneficiary.

Will—You can make a bequest to the Fund through your will, permitting a gift to the church at your death in full accordance with your specified wishes.

In these and other ways you can support the Christian ministries of Bethlehem Lutheran.

For Further Information:
A response form is enclosed if you are interested in further information our would like to give a gift at this time. A Committee Member will be glad to personally explain the Bethlehem Mission Endowment Fund and assist you with any gift you would like to make. Complete the form and return it to church, or call a Committee member using the numbers below.