The Foundation currently has about $700,000 invested. With investment and the continued generosity of our congregation, we are hopeful of increasing the funds substantially over the coming years. YOU can help the church expand its ministries and mission with your contributions to our endowment.
How can I give to the Foundation?
There are many ways to support the Foundation. You may make a pledge to the Foundation. Contributions may be given in memory of a loved one or in honor of persons or special occasions, such as weddings or anniversaries. Some choose to include bequests to the Foundation in their wills. Some planned giving options include real property, stocks, annuities, charitable trusts, and life insurance policies. Gifts of any amount are welcomed and appreciated by the Foundation. All gifts will impact our mission to bring Christ and His love to our local and global communities, and will be recognized on All Saints Sunday and listed on the Church’s website, if the donor agrees. All gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible, as allowed by law. Please consult with your tax or financial advisor.
Can I make a planned gift to the Foundation? How are planned gifts to the Foundation different from other gifts to Southminster?
The decision to contribute to the Foundation is a spiritual commitment of loyalty and love. It is a way to continue giving and supporting our church as part of your faith legacy. We seek planned giving to grow our endowment from our members, friends and supporters. Please click on our planned giving link below for information. There you will find up to date, narrated, short videos explaining Charitable Beneficiary Designations, Charitable Bequests, Charitable Remainder Trusts, and Gift of Retirement Assets. Please consult with your financial advisor if any of these planned giving tools seem appropriate for your situation. Some have described giving to the church as the sum of four parts: support for the annual budget; support for capital spending for major church expenses/projects; contributions to Gifts and Memorials in honor or memory of someone; and endowment gifts to the Foundation as estate and or legacy giving.
For more information on planned giving, click here.
What kind of ministries/missions are supported by the Foundation?
Since its inception in 2009 the Foundation has approved annual grants totaling more than $250,000 to a wide range of local, national, and international missions. The Foundation funds annual grants not to exceed a maximum of 4% of the previous year end fund balance.
The Ministry Committee of our Board of Directors reviews all grant applications annually. We typically have more requests for funding than we can fulfill. Based on the Foundation’s By-Laws, the committee considers how much is requested, how many will benefit, where the work is being done, what type of benefit is being provided by the grantee, whether the grant applicant has been a previous recipient, and the quality of the grant. Grants applications are received annually and are due by September 1. Grants are awarded and distributed by November 30 each year. Grant recipients are required to report on the use of their grant. Grants are precluded for operational expenses, bricks and mortar, maintenance, salaries, etc.
To view a video highlighting the impact of our foundation, click here.
How Can I Apply For A Grant?
We look forward to receiving applications Grants are made primarily to cover special projects or one-time needs of the receiving organizations. Grants will not be made to cover core administrative, operational, or staffing costs, and will not provide for ongoing funding needs. Grants will not be awarded to individuals, to organizations that principally benefit individuals, or to organizations that promote or attempt to influence legislation or political campaigns. A grant application may be printed from the link on the Foundation web page and may also be obtained from the church office.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors hopes that through our congregation’s generous giving, lives will be changed and communities transformed. If you desire further information about the Foundation and how you can join our efforts, please contact:
Southminster Presbyterian Church Foundation for Ministry, Inc.
