Endowment Fund

What is the Endowment Fund?

The St Paul Lutheran Church Endowment Fund and the Planned Giving Committee were established to encourage, receive and administer gifts received as endowments. This fund will allow people to support St. Paul Ministry programs both during and beyond their lifetimes. Gifts and bequests given to the fund will be carefully managed by the Planned Giving Committee.

What will a gift to the Fund mean to me?

The endowment fund provides a means for us, as Christian stewards, to demonstrate and express in a tangible way, our deep gratitude for God’s many gifts and blessings to us. A gift to the endowment fund is a reflection of our faith and Christian love and is over and above our normal regular support of the ongoing mission and ministry of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Trenton, our District and Synod. The members of the Planned Giving Committee will be pleased to meet with you to discuss your participation in the endowment fund and what your gift can accomplish.

How can I participate in the St. Paul Endowment Fund’s activities?

There are many ways in which you can participate in the endowment fund’s activities, depending on your desires and financial resources. The more common methods include:

Remembrance Giving: Gifts may be given in memory of loved ones and friends, in honor of anniversaries, birthdays, baptisms or other special events.

Gift of Property: A gift of cash, stocks, bonds, real estate or personal property can be given during your lifetime or in a personal will.

Gift Annuity Arrangements: A gift of money or property that pays the donor income for the rest of his or her life with the remainder going to the endowment fund can be arranged.

Life Insurance Bequest: The endowment fund can be named as a beneficiary in a life insurance policy for which premiums are paid by the donor, or you may gift a policy to the endowment fund.

Trust: A trust may be created by a donor to provide funds for many uses, including use by the endowment fund.

How will endowment gifts be used?

Unrestricted Gifts: at least 90 percent of the income from this portion of the fund will be made available to all the ministries of St. Paul Church. The Planned Giving Committee shall monitor distributions to make sure equal consideration is given to each ministry according to need.  Distributions for large grant requests will be considered on an individual basis and awards shall not exceed 50 percent of the distribution available for any given year.

Restricted Gifts received with the approval of the Church Council--at least 90 percent of the income will be used as directed by the donor for a ministry or special program of St. Paul Church.

For more information on the St. Paul Church Endowment Fund and Planned Giving please contact the Church Office.