The Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, established by the congregation in 1995, receives gifts for the growth of the church.  It is a vital component of the ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church.  The Endowment Fund provides a way for members and friends of Trinity to make special gifts during their lifetime and at the end of their lives, to carry on the ministry of Christ through Trinity Lutheran in future years.


How Is The Fund Administered?

The Endowment Fund Committee is made up of five church members elected by the congregation.  The senior pastor acts as an advisor.


What Does The Endowment Fund Do?

A gift to the Endowment Fund is a gift that keeps on giving.  The Endowment Fund provides perpetual financial support for Trinity's mission.  The Endowment Fund uses investment earnings to support religious, charitable and educational activities not part of the regular operating budget of our church.  Benevolent grants from the fund help achieve the mission of Trinity Lutheran here at home, in our local community and the world.  The fund helps to support outreach and benevolence programs, and educational ministries of Trinity Lutheran Church and Schools, as well as assisting with specific capital expenditures and equipment for the church and schools.


When Will Income Be Dispersed?

The fund is intended to exist in perpetuity, which means the principal investment will not be diminished by withdrawals.  A portion of the income generated is typically distributed on a semi-annual basis at the discretion of the fund Committee.  The more our fund grows, the larger the income will be that it provides.


How Will The Fund Be Managed?

The Endowment Fund is professionally managed by SmithBarney and provides income to the church based upon our fund's market value.  The income will provide support for Trinity Lutheran Church's mission.


What You Can Do

People of God are called to be good stewards, responding to God's grace in Christ by making financial gifts to others.  Planned gifts of kindness are offerings from the heart to ministries of the church.  Donations during your lifetime or a bequest in your will can direct valuable funds to church ministries.  Contributions in many forms and of any size are welcome, whether immediate or deferred.  By making a gift to Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, you can continue to support the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the ongoing mission of His Church for generations to come.


Ways To Contribute To The Endowment Fund

One can contribute gifts of any size to the Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, in a variety of ways, including:
     ●  To honor or memorialize someone through a gift of cash
     ●  Through gifts of real estate or personal property
     ●  Through investments, such as stocks or mutual funds
     ●  By naming the Endowment Fund as a beneficiary of an insurance policy or
         retirement plan asset (IRA's, 401Ks, etc)
     ●  By including the Endowment Fund in your will or trust
     ●  Through you estate planning, utilizing a charitable gift annuity or a
         charitable trust

Often, when preparing our wills, we wonder to whom shall we give, either now or upon our death.  Because Trinity Lutheran Church means so much to us, this can be one way to express our appreciation by including the Endowment Fund as a beneficiary.


Benefits To The Donor

Your gift will provide for the future ministry and outreach of Trinity.  Depending upon the type of gift you may choose to make, there may be special financial benefits for you.  These may include:
     ●  An immediate charitable income tax deduction may be claimed
     ●  Certain gifts may create fixed or variable rates of income
     ●  Capital gains tax may be totally or partially avoided with certain types of
         gifts
     ●  Estate and gift taxes may be reduced
     ●  One or more beneficiaries may receive lifetime income from your gifts


Grant Applications

Grant applications are evaluated with consideration to the policies, funding objectives and the mission statement of the Trinity Endowment Fund.  The fund favors innovative proposals that:
     ●  Help people grow in faith and service to God and neighbor
     ●  Promote the mission of the congregation and greater church
     ●  Strengthen the ability of our congregation to respond more effectively to
         needs of people not funded through regular contributions and budgeted
         funds
     ●  Help develop new leaders for the church


Eligibility

Members of Trinity may request a benevolent grant for a specific project or qualified organization.  If requesting on behalf of an organization (e.g. Habitat for Humanity), that organization must be classified as a charitable organization under Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Please speak to a Committee Member for more information on eligibility requirements.


For More Information

Contact your financial advisor or your attorney to discuss ways you can give to the Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Fund.  You may contact a member of the Endowment Committee (EndowmentCommittee@tlchurch-hawthorne.org) for further information on the fund.