Congregational Planned Giving Program
Introduction $25-45 trillion in wealth will transfer between now and 2052 Only 30% of Americans have developed an orderly plan for the transfer of their estates Of this 30%, only one in three have remembered a charity in their estate plans People of faith want to remember the Lord’s work in their estate plans, but need to know the options available to them
Introduction The purpose of a congregational planned giving program is to... Educate, Encourage, Enlist, and Excite... members about using planned giving instruments to support WELS ministries.
Introduction Manual focuses primarily on setting up an endowment fund Also gives an overview of other ways members can make planned gifts Coordination of these efforts at your church would be done through a Congregational Planned Giving Committee WELS provides assistance
Scriptural Truths for Joyful Generosity 1. God owns it all. Psalm 24:1 2. By grace God supplies all our needs. Philippians 2:13 3. By grace God entrusts to us the task of management. Philippians 2:13 4. God desires our thankful response. Colossians 3:17 5. God determines that our offerings are an important way to express our thankfulness to him. 2 Corinthians 9:7
Table of Contents I. About Congregational Endowment Funds II. Setting Up a Congregational Planned Giving Committee III. Promoting Planned Giving in Your Church IV. WELS Organizations that Can Help You
About Congregational Endowment Funds Definitions Purpose Why an Endowment? How an Endowment Fund Works Getting Started
Definitions Endowment fund: dedicated fund of which only the growth can be used Trust fund: same as endowment except that principal can be used at discretion of voters Income: dividend or interest earned on an investment Growth: capital appreciation or capital gain of an investment Principle or Capital: The main body of a fund as distinguished from interest or profit
Purpose Provides a permanent source of income to be used for a specific purpose. Common uses: Educational scholarships Missions and outreach support Supporting the ongoing ministry of the congregation Congregation in India
Why an Endowment? Provides a framework for receiving gifts through bequests, memorials, and donations of assets Reminder for members that wills and estate plans are part of Christian stewardship Opportunity for members to make gifts without negatively impacting regular giving of the congregation
Why an Endowment? Allows members to designate gifts to areas of special interest Additional funding for current operations as well as future, expanded efforts Allows establishment of new programs Creates a source of future income for the congregation, assuring continued ministry
How an Endowment Fund Works Principal is invested and preserved Part of income is spent on current needs An endowment fund can have sub-funds to support multiple needs Community Outreach Children’s Special Needs Family Assistance Retirement
Setting Up A Congregational Planned Giving Committee Flow Chart Building the Committee Special Issues Setting a Clear Purpose Commitment to the Program Consistent Communication Asking for Gifts Gift Administration Policies Distribution of Grants
Flow Chart Interested committee studies concept Study Group meets with a Christian giving counselor Study Group makes recommendations to Church Council Church Council brings resolution to voters Voters accept Voters/Church Council appoints Congregational Planned Giving Committee Committee organized and begins to educate, encourage, enlist, and excite
Building the Committee Committed to purpose Willing to work Communication skills Leadership skills Attention to detail Connections to members Opinion leader Women and men Many age groups Geographic areas Interest areas Income groups Other First qualification is strong Christian faith Decide what you are looking for
Special Issues Should the Church Council also be the Planned Giving Committee? Be careful about conflicts of interest. Members/Terms Size: three to five people Term length: four years Rotation: limit of two terms, terms should be staggered A sample fund endowment fund bylaws is provided
Setting a Clear Purpose Section I discussed possible purposes of an endowment fund Congregation must retain ability to change the purposes of the fund Exhibit A shows some sample sub-funds that can be set up with different purposes
Consistent Communication First element: a clear, compelling identity Second element: communication resources (promotional articles available online at Ministry of Christian Giving page on Connect) Third element: a plan for using these resources over and over again Sample one-year strategy available in manual
Asking for Gifts Identify prospective donors Prepare yourself Call to set up appointments Visit prospects Ask Follow up with materials and another visit
Gift Administration Policies Most important aspects of gift administration: 1. Treat every donor with gratitude and respect 2. Agree on gift acceptance policies and apply standards consistently 3. Invest with WELS Investment Funds 4. Adopt appropriate policy on conflicts of interest Exhibit B in manual provides sample gift acceptance policy.
Distribution of Grants Sample Distribution Policy (Section 7 of Bylaws): Annually distribute 4% of the three-year (or since inception) rolling average market value of the fund as of June 30 Limitations in place to insure the preservation of the historic dollar value of the fund
Promoting Planned Giving in Your Church Different Ways to Make Planned Gifts Estate Planning for Christian Stewards
Reference Materials in Manual: Committee can also provide members with basics on making planned gifts using... Different Ways to Make Planned Gifts provides overview of different gifting vehicles Estate Planning for Christian Stewards is a practical guide for developing a Christian estate plan
IV. WELS Organizations that Can Help You WELS Ministry of Christian Giving WELS Foundation WELS Investment Funds
WELS Ministry of Christian Giving A Christian giving counselor can help regarding the establishment of a Congregational Planned Giving Committee and an endowment fund.
WELS Foundation Can assist the congregation in accepting complex gifts and gifts of unusual assets Offers gift plans that allow the donor to remain anonymous and which can benefit a variety of WELS organizations, including the congregation Manages the various gifting vehicles
WELS Investment Funds WELS Investment Funds can serve as the organization which invests the funds received. Working from a large base of assets and expertise, such an organization can invest more effectively for the very long-term.
For more information... Contact WELS Ministry of Christian Giving PPhone: or WWeb: Thank you for considering a planned giving program for your church. May God use this as another means for sharing his Word with all people!