Endowment Fund

Would you like to leave a legacy contribution to MVUC by making a donation that will enhance life on the Hill for years to come? MVUC has a well managed Endowment Fund that receives such gifts. The Endowment Fund helps to ensure the church’s continued financial health and builds our future.

The Endowment Committee was established in 1987 to manage the MVUC Endowment Fund. The endowment exists to help secure, strengthen, and extend the long-term survival and mission of MVUC and Unitarian Universalism. The Endowment Fund is a permanent “rainy day account” for MVUC.

The policy established by the Board of Trustees requires the Endowment Fund’s liquid assets reach $1,000,000 before any expenditures can be made and the principal is not to be spent. Looking ahead, we believe that once the fund reaches $1,000,000, income derived from it can provide longevity and assistance during financial emergencies. The fund can also provide additional monies for maintaining our buildings and grounds or funding other programs and initiatives.

Through the generosity of many of our Members and Friends over the years, as well as investment income, the MVUC Endowment now has over $500,000 in liquid assets and substantial contingent assets we anticipate receiving through estate planning undertaken by Members. These generous contributors are providing stewardship for those who will follow them to our Holy Hill.

There are many ways that Members and Friends can contribute to securing the financial future of MVUC through the Endowment Fund:

·Direct gifts, e.g., gifts in memory of a person or a special occasion

·Appreciated stock or other securities

·Life insurance policies

·Bequests in your will or trust

·Beneficiary designation for your retirement plan benefits

Some examples of recent donations:

• Founding member John Kofler made extraordinary contributions to MVUC during his lifetime.Numerous friends and family have made contributions in memory of John to the MVUC Endowment Fund.It seems most appropriate to honor John in this manner, as MVUC was an important part of his life.I am certain that he would want future generations to benefit from the support that MVUC provides to members and friends.
• One of our founding members has designated MVUC as beneficiary of a whole life insurance policy, an example followed by others.
• Several members have placed real estate properties in trusts, with MVUC designated to receive these properties on their death.Other members have remembered the MVUC Endowment Fund in their wills.
• One of the most popular life income and estate planning vehicles is the Charitable Remainder Trust.Cash or other assets are donated to the charitable trust with the donor or other beneficiaries receiving an income interest for life or a term of years.You can use many different kinds of property to fund Charitable Remainder Trusts.In addition, they are the only life income instruments where you or your financial advisor retain a measure of control over the trust assets. The Charitable Remainder Trust is tax-exempt by virtue of the fact that there must be a charitable beneficiary of the remainder interest.Advantages of Charitable Remainder Trusts include:

·You are entitled to an income tax deduction for the present value of remainder interest.

·Any capital gain on appreciated assets is by-passed.

·You or other beneficiaries receive an income interest for life or a term of years.

·You make better communities by providing needed resources for services and programs.

Each gift represents a belief that it is important for MVUC to provide a religious voice of reason into the future. We deeply appreciate each of these gifts and the many others we have received. They will help ensure the long-term viability of MVUC.

Some of the various methods by which you can contribute to our endowment have tax implications that should be discussed with your financial advisor. You may wish to consult with an attorney or financial planner to determine the option that best matches your circumstances and financial situation.

Please feel free to contact any member of the committee with questions concerning the Endowment Fund and how to contribute.Our email address is endowment@mvuc.org. Current members are:

Bill Burns, Chair
Nancy Fox
Oma Cox
Joan Darrah
Rob Dickinson

Gifts and Bequests
Financial gifts in support of the annual budget or the Property Major Maintenance (PMM) Fund may be accepted. Unrestricted gifts or bequests in memory of or to honor an individual shall be given to the Endowment Fund unless otherwise specifically designated. All other unrestricted gifts will be designated to the Endowment Fund, capital projects, or current programs as the Board of Trustees may decide.