Endowment
The Endowment Fund of First Baptist Church was established in April of 2000 as a way to provide a permanent, perpetual source of funds to strengthen the mission and ministry of God’s work through our church fellowship. Since it was established, assets of the Endowment Fund have grown to more than $4.1 million. The contributions to the Endowment Fund are intended to remain in the fund in perpetuity, while the earnings provide annual income distributions to the missions and ministries of our church. As we do not know all the specific needs of future generations, we encourage gifts that are unrestricted as to very specific purposes. This will allow future congregations to determine the future church ministry needs for budget purposes.
Ways to Support the Mission of First Baptist Church Through the Endowment Fund
- You may make giving to the Endowment Fund a part of your giving for gifts in excess of tithes given in support of the church budget.
- Named memorial funds may be established as permanent remembrances of friends, colleagues, and loved ones.
- If you have no Will, you may include First Baptist Church as a beneficiary when you complete this vital planning process. If you need assistance in obtaining professional estate planning advice, you may contact the Church Administrator, who can assist in making estate planning professionals available to you.
- If you already have a Will and wish to add a bequest to First Baptist Church, you may ask your attorney to prepare a Codicil to your Will.
- If you have a Revocable Living Trust Agreement, your attorney can prepare an Amendment to the Trust Agreement which may provide for a gift to First Baptist Church.
- Your insurance agent can prepare the proper designation form to allow you to modify the designation of beneficiaries to include First Baptist Church as a beneficiary.
- Instead of sending flowers as a memorial gift at a time of a funeral, you may wish to make a gift to the Endowment Fund.
- You may wish to make a lifetime gift of appreciated property, either real estate or cash, rather than making a cash contribution.
- If your estate plan uses a Charitable Remainder or Charitable Lead Trust, The First Baptist Church Endowment Fund could be the tax-qualifying charity named in your trust.
In considering any substantial gift during your lifetime or through your estate, we strongly encourage you to discuss the details with your tax advisor or estate attorney. Proper planning may make a substantial difference in estate or income taxes if done according to IRS rules. If you will let the Business Administrator or a member of the Endowment Committee know you are contemplating such a gift, we will be pleased to answer any question and be of assistance in a manner that is confidential and convenient to you.