Endowment
In October 2014, the St. Barnabas Vestry approved the establishment of an endowment fund to generate income and appreciation on invested assets. This fund is for special needs of the parish, including outreach and new ministries, special projects, capital expenditures for growth and expansion of facilities, and financial support if the future of St. Barnabas is in jeopardy. These funds are designed to be invested for support of the church in perpetuity, and will not replace operating funds, which are paid from weekly collections, annual stewardship offerings, grants, and short-term gifts.
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For details on investment policies, guidelines, performance of the endowment funds, or more information on making a gift, please contact the Vestry Treasurer or the Chair of the Endowment Committee.
What is an endowment fund?
An endowment fund is a special account that is established in order to generate revenue that can be used for specific purposes that fulfill the church’s mission. An endowment fund is designed to function in perpetuity, making it possible to provide financial support to an organization over the long term. One of the distinguishing characteristics of an endowment fund is that the principal amount contained in the account is not disbursed for any reason. Funds donated are invested through prudent management, and a percentage of the returns can be disbursed yearly. These funds are never commingled with the operating funds of the church.
Why give to an endowment fund?
An endowment fund allows parishioners to make a final testament to the importance of Christian faith in their lives and to their willingness to make resources available for the important work of the church after they are gone.
Unlike regular gifts to the operating fund of the church, gifts to an endowment are meant to provide long-term resources to forward the church’s mission.
Gifts to an endowment can also provide certain tax benefits for the giver or his/her heirs. There are numerous vehicles employed to make gifts to an endowment, so a legal advisor should be consulted about practices that work best for various situations.
What sorts of donations are acceptable?
Gifts to an endowment are often larger sums, but can be any amount. Gifts are usually donated in the form of cash, publicly traded securities and, subject to the prior approval of the Vestry, real and personal property.
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Gifts to the endowment fund can be made as a current gift or deferred gift (a deferred gift will not accrue to the church immediately, but upon a specified event, typically death).
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The Vestry may place certain restrictions in connection with acceptance of gifts of real and personal property and interests in closely held companies. The Vestry has appointed an Endowment Committee whose members can answer questions and assist you in determining whether these kinds of gifts can be accepted and what conditions may apply to donations of this nature.
How are endowment funds invested?
The Vestry manages the endowment fund in accordance with uniform legal and financial principles and practices for such funds. To assist it, the Vestry benefits from periodic reporting and advice of the Endowment Committee. The Vestry has selected the PNC Institutional Asset Management, a division of PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. as financial advisor.
How can I make an endowment gift?
Current cash gifts can be made by writing a check, made payable to the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Endowment Fund. Gifts of stock or real property will require approval of the Vestry; contact the Senior Warden or an Endowment Committee member to learn more about possible restrictions.
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Funds donated for a specific restricted purpose can be made; however, the minimum requirement to create a restricted endowment fund is $50,000.
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Deferred gifts can be made in a variety of ways. The church office has additional information about these gifting options. You should also speak to your legal advisor about the methods that are best for you.
Planning for the End of Life - Making a Will
“The minister of the congregation is directed to instruct the people, from time to time, about the duty of Christian parents to make prudent provision for the well-being of their families, and of all persons to make wills, while they are in health, arranging for the disposal of their temporal goods, not neglecting, if they are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses.”
—The Book of Common Prayer, Page 445
It is important that people of faith make plans for the end of life. The preparation of a Will to ensure that you and your family have your life assets in order, is what we will discuss when you tune in to watch our podcast, prepared by the St. B Endowment Committee. This short video presented by hosts, Forrest Fairley and Tom Kirkpatrick, former Endowment Committee Chair, will make it easier to understand the “Why’s” of establishing a Will for yourself or your family.
For another great resource see this helpful guide for Planning for the End of Life.