North Indiana United Methodist Foundation
Endowment Management Services
 
Endowment Management Services
The Foundation provides professional funds management through its Investment Service Fund, which is available to churches and agencies of the North Indiana Conference.  The Foundation will also provide investment-consulting services, without a fee.  A Foundation representative will be glad to meet with your committee to answer questions; please feel free to contact us about these services. Click here to contact us
 
Starting an Endowment
Does your church have an active Endowment Committee/Fund in place to receive gifts?  If not, consider these questions:

  • Have any of your members died in the last few years? 

  • Is your congregation encouraged to remember the church in their estate plans?

  • Are you receiving bequests from your deceased members? 

  • Are you "getting your share" of bequests from deceased members?  If not, perhaps we can help you.

Bequests can provide a vital source of revenue to fund new and exciting ministries in your church.  If you are not receiving these special gifts, you are likely limiting the growth and vitality of your congregation. If you are not getting your share of bequests, there are steps that can be taken.

Is it time for your church to consider encouraging bequest or memorial gifts?  You say you don't know how to get started, just contact us.  We regularly meet with churches to help them consider whether they should start an Endowment Fund and how to go about it.  We provide sample documents, educational materials and resources.  There is no charge for our services.  We are here to serve the local churches and agencies of the conference.  Click here to contact us

Growing an Endowment
Many of our older members have lived a very conservative life and have saved and accumulated over the years.  Most do not consider themselves to be wealthy but many have significant net worth.  Many of these members have a deep love for their church but, because they are on a fixed income, are unable to give at the same level they did in years past.  There are many things a church can do to encourage more bequest giving.  Those would include:

  • Encouraging members to consider the church in their estate planning.

  • Create an Endowment Fund to receive, protect and manage such gifts. Having an Endowment Fund provides the donor with a sense of trust and assurance that their gift will be properly managed and protected.

  • Educate the congregation on the importance of having a will and the benefits of other gifting tools available to them.

Approximately 70% of Americans die without a will.   Most of the remaining 30% have never been asked to add their church to their will.  We can help you develop a plan to encourage gifts from both groups. Click here to contact us