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Planned Giving, Endowment Fund, and Gift Acceptance Policies*

Trinity’s Planned Giving and Endowment Fund Policies were created and adopted by the congregation in December 2005. These funds give members of the congregation the opportunity to return to the Lord a portion of the gifts God has first given to his beloved children. These gifts can be made through bequests in wills, assignment of life insurance policies, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder and other trusts, assignment of certificates of deposit and transfers of property including cash, stocks, bonds, and real estate.

Unspecified gifts received of less than $2,000 will be placed in the Memorial Fund with distribution administered by the Memorial Committee. Unspecified gifts received of more than $2,000 or greater will be placed 60% in the Endowment Fund and 40% in the Capital Improvement Fund unless the Finance Committee recommends a portion of the funds be placed in other funds. Other current funds that can be specified are:  Cemetery, Memorial, Operating Reserve, and Organ. Designated Planned Giving allocations will be accepted and honored as designated as long as they align with Trinity’s mission and program priorities.

The Endowment Fund is administered by the Finance Committee. At the end of each year, a portion of the proceeds of the Fund is transferred to the Gift Fund Committee to be distributed for outreach to the church community, scholarships, special programs, benevolent organizations, disaster response and those in spiritual and/or economic need.

Planned Giving is a matter of faith and stewardship, so you might want to talk to your pastor about your decision. Consultation with your financial advisor and attorney might also be advisable.

The ELCA Foundations has professional gift planning staff throughout the nation and gift planning tools for every situation. All of their gift planning services are made available to individuals and congregations without obligation.

Gifts to Trinity can be made for many reasons—to the Glory of God to mark a special occasion such as an anniversary, birth, baptism, wedding, or recovery from an illness—as well as a tribute in honor or memory of a loved one.

*Copies of the Planned Giving Policy, the Endowment Fund Policy, and the Gift Acceptance Policy can be obtained from Trinity’s Church Office.