St. Martin's Endowment Fund - "The Gift that Keeps on Giving"
"The world and all that is in it belongs to the Lord; the earth and all who live in it are His." Psalm 24:1
What It Is
St. Martin's Evangelical Lutheran Church Endowment Fund is a perpetual trust established to maintain and expand St. Martin's ministries, programs and facilities. In 1965, the Fund was incorporated as a separate "sister" entity of St. Martin's. The Fund accepts only gifts which can be invested and reinvested without restriction. In 2000, the Building Endowment Fund was established to receive gifts designated for use in debt reduction, construction, and repair of the facilities used by St. Martin's.
The Board of Directors is chosen solely from St. Martin's membership.
Members presently on the Board represent business experience as trust officers, insurance representatives, bankers, accountants, attorneys, and managers. It is the job of the Endowment Board to make the very best rate of return on the assets it holds while preserving the safety of its capital.
Each year it turns over its net income to St. Martin's for use as the church council determines. Through 2002, the Fund has earned over $633,000 for the benefit of St. Martin's ministry.
The Board of Directors is chosen solely from St. Martin's membership.
Members presently on the Board represent business experience as trust officers, insurance representatives, bankers, accountants, attorneys, and managers. It is the job of the Endowment Board to make the very best rate of return on the assets it holds while preserving the safety of its capital.
Each year it turns over its net income to St. Martin's for use as the church council determines. Through 2002, the Fund has earned over $633,000 for the benefit of St. Martin's ministry.
Gift Opportunities
Regular gifts, memorials, and honorariums have been the primary building blocks of the Endowment Fund "pyramid." Many use the Fund to remember or to honor a friend or loved one and to recognize birthdays, anniversaries, or special accomplishments. These gifts are helping the fund to grow consistently as well as offering recognition and thanks.
Others create a lasting legacy for St. Martin's. For most people, there is a tremendous sense of satisfaction knowing they have managed their affairs in a way that will not only take care of their families, but also will support the Church that they care about. In addition to fulfilling their charitable goals and acknowledging (financially and spiritually) their gratefulness to God, donors may receive tax benefits and lifetime incomes through several types of tax-favored plans.
Examples of giving opportunities include:
The first four choices involve relatively simple actions.
A direct gift of assets such as cash, property, or stock can be given to a St. Martin's fund. The donor of a cash contribution is eligible for an income tax deduction, while a donor who makes a gift of a capital asset, such as stock or property, is eligible for an income tax deduction and can avoid paying capital gains taxes on the asset appreciation.
Any donor who has a will can make a charitable bequest. The value of the gift is removed from a person's estate, reducing the amount owed in taxes. The gift can be expressed as a percentage of the estate, specific property or investments, or everything that's left over after other obligations are fulfilled. If you don't have a will, consider making one today. Texas has a plan for your estate, but you might not want things done their way. Your own will is your legacy to the world as you leave it. If you already have a will, please ask your attorney how you can change it to include St. Martin's.
A donor can name St. Martin's Endowment Fund as the beneficiary of or the recipient of distributions from a qualified retirement account (IRA, TSA, 401(k), etc.) thereby protecting the asset from income taxes and possible estate taxes.
Donors can use life insurance to make a donation by transferring ownership of an existing life policy, by changing the beneficiary of an existing life policy, or by purchasing a new life policy and naming St. Martin's Endowment Fund as the beneficiary.
The last three choices: charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder annuity trust and charitable remainder unitrust are more complex and should be discussed with a financial advisor or attorney.
Each person's dreams make every gift unique and important. Martin Luther stated, "The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious."
Others create a lasting legacy for St. Martin's. For most people, there is a tremendous sense of satisfaction knowing they have managed their affairs in a way that will not only take care of their families, but also will support the Church that they care about. In addition to fulfilling their charitable goals and acknowledging (financially and spiritually) their gratefulness to God, donors may receive tax benefits and lifetime incomes through several types of tax-favored plans.
Examples of giving opportunities include:
- Direct Gift
- Charitable Bequest
- Qualified Asset Beneficiary Designation
- Charitable Life Insurance
- Charitable Gift Annuity
- Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust
- Charitable Remainder Unitrust
The first four choices involve relatively simple actions.
A direct gift of assets such as cash, property, or stock can be given to a St. Martin's fund. The donor of a cash contribution is eligible for an income tax deduction, while a donor who makes a gift of a capital asset, such as stock or property, is eligible for an income tax deduction and can avoid paying capital gains taxes on the asset appreciation.
Any donor who has a will can make a charitable bequest. The value of the gift is removed from a person's estate, reducing the amount owed in taxes. The gift can be expressed as a percentage of the estate, specific property or investments, or everything that's left over after other obligations are fulfilled. If you don't have a will, consider making one today. Texas has a plan for your estate, but you might not want things done their way. Your own will is your legacy to the world as you leave it. If you already have a will, please ask your attorney how you can change it to include St. Martin's.
A donor can name St. Martin's Endowment Fund as the beneficiary of or the recipient of distributions from a qualified retirement account (IRA, TSA, 401(k), etc.) thereby protecting the asset from income taxes and possible estate taxes.
Donors can use life insurance to make a donation by transferring ownership of an existing life policy, by changing the beneficiary of an existing life policy, or by purchasing a new life policy and naming St. Martin's Endowment Fund as the beneficiary.
The last three choices: charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder annuity trust and charitable remainder unitrust are more complex and should be discussed with a financial advisor or attorney.
Each person's dreams make every gift unique and important. Martin Luther stated, "The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious."
The Needs of God's Kingdom on Earth
Would you like to accomplish something really wonderful? St. Martin's counts on your annual gifts. Your help will be missed when you are gone unless you arrange to keep your gifts coming. The challenge as a Christian is to act as a responsible steward with our material assets and to make plans that not only share material blessings entrusted to us, but also the values we hold. Will you make plans that reflect your gratefulness and give from abundance? The legacy you leave behind might actually be powerful in getting God's work done.
At St. Martin's, the number of parishioners and the number and size of ministries continue to increase as does the opportunity for outreach in the community. St. Martin's Endowment Fund protects what we have and underwrites new inreach and outreach needs as part of "God's Kingdom on Earth."
A member of the Endowment Fund Board can visit with you about your situation and what gift ideas might work for you. All information will be held in strict confidence. Write St. Martin's Endowment Fund, 606 West 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701, or call the church office (512) 476-6757 for more information. We can direct you to assistance for your specific situation.
At St. Martin's, the number of parishioners and the number and size of ministries continue to increase as does the opportunity for outreach in the community. St. Martin's Endowment Fund protects what we have and underwrites new inreach and outreach needs as part of "God's Kingdom on Earth."
A member of the Endowment Fund Board can visit with you about your situation and what gift ideas might work for you. All information will be held in strict confidence. Write St. Martin's Endowment Fund, 606 West 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701, or call the church office (512) 476-6757 for more information. We can direct you to assistance for your specific situation.
Proposals for Endowment Requests
To request Endowment Funds, complete the following form and submit to Chris Baker.
One-half of the Endowment Fund proceeds are considered for dispersal in May and the remainder of the funds are considered for dispersal in November. Deadlines for submission of requests and proposals for Endowment Funds are May 1 and November 1 of each year.
Requests for money from the Endowment Fund must meet the following stipulations from the Endowment Board:
The Endowment Fund Requests Committee is appointed by the Executive Committee to oversee all requests and proposals, and to recommend action to the Congregation Council.
List all information for your proposal, including purchase or expenditure options, beginning and completion dates, staffing (if any) needed, St. Martin's staff involvement required, and any other information you think would be helpful for the Endowment Fund Requests Committee to consider in your proposal.
Endowment Request Form (PDF Document - Opens in new window)
File Size: 45KB
One-half of the Endowment Fund proceeds are considered for dispersal in May and the remainder of the funds are considered for dispersal in November. Deadlines for submission of requests and proposals for Endowment Funds are May 1 and November 1 of each year.
Requests for money from the Endowment Fund must meet the following stipulations from the Endowment Board:
- Funds may not be used for normal budgeted expenses.
- Funds most provide fulfillment of St. Martin's strategic plan.
- Funds must be used for purchases of an enduring nature.
The Endowment Fund Requests Committee is appointed by the Executive Committee to oversee all requests and proposals, and to recommend action to the Congregation Council.
List all information for your proposal, including purchase or expenditure options, beginning and completion dates, staffing (if any) needed, St. Martin's staff involvement required, and any other information you think would be helpful for the Endowment Fund Requests Committee to consider in your proposal.
