The Bethel Endowment Fund

What is the Bethel Lutheran Church Endowment Fund?

The Fund was established to assist Bethel Lutheran Church members in contributing gifts and memorials of all kinds into a permanent fund. Its purpose is to enhance the outreach of the congregation apart from the general operating budget. The principal portion of contributions to the Fund will remain permanently within the Fund and the income generated by principal will be used in a manner consistent with the loyalty and devotion to our Lord as expressed by the donors through their contributions.

The Fund is managed by an Endowment Fund Committee of five persons elected by the congregation. The Committee will prepare a full and complete account of the Fund's activities for inclusion in the congregational annual report.

How may one participate?

Contributions to the Endowment Fund can occur several ways. Gifts or memorials may be made directly to the Fund in the form of cash, stocks, bonds, life insurance beneficiary, or other property.

Cash contributions are always welcome in any amount, large or small.

• Gifts of securities can be made to the Fund. There may be a tax advantage to the donor here, also. Your attorney will be able to give you current information relating to this type of gift.
• Bequests and gifts are welcome. A bequest is a gift by a will which assures that your property will be distributed as you desire. A will is a legal document. Wills should be written in consultation with a lawyer. Bequests to the Fund are free of Federal estate taxes and inheritance taxes.

• Life insurance policies, new and existing, may be used for gifts to the Fund. There are a variety of' ways to give through life insurance, some of which are tax deductible.
• Life insurance makes it possible for you to finance a sizable gift to the Fund by payment of relatively small annual premiums.

Charitable Remainder Trusts and Charitable Gift Annuity Agreements may name Bethel Lutheran Endowment Fund as the beneficiary. The ELCA assists our Endowment Fund Committee by arranging these contracts. These are deferred gifts which provide the donor an income for life.

Bethel Lutheran Church has established the Endowment Fund to assist its members in being proper stewards of the gifts and resources God has first given us.

A deferred gift through your will or insurance can mean much to the church which has guided you throughout your lifetime. The gift will stand as a witness of your personal faith and stewardship.

If you wish to have more information about how the Endowment Fund operates, or how you can take part in this program of Bethel Lutheran Church, contact the church office. A member of the Endowment Fund Committee will then call to help you.