From The LCMS Foundation President
 Welcome to our Web pages! We hope you find
them helpful. The Foundation is the only Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod organization that offers you comprehensive charitable expertise
and services to help you plan and direct your passion for giving
to family and all ministries today, tomorrow and forever.
July 2008
Click here to watch The Foundation's 50th Anniversary Video
What is an Endowment Fund?
An endowment fund is a gifting agreement between you and the Foundation where you designate the LCMS ministries to receive your gift over a period of time. The timing and the amount of the distribution can be tailored to meet your specific ministry goals. The fund is managed by the LCMS Foundation, which invests the funds and makes the distributions to the selected ministries.
An endowment fund can be used by donors to “endow” their annual giving. For example, Mary gave approximately $2,000 a year to her local congregation. As part of her estate planning goals, Mary wants her church to continue to receive $2,000 annually even after her death. Working with her estate planning advisors and the Foundation, Mary created an endowment fund which will be funded with approximately $40,000 from her estate. Assuming an average 5% return, the endowment fund will distribute approximately $2,000 a year to Mary’s church. Mary used the endowment to make a meaningful and lasting gift to the Lord’s work!
Endowment funds are also great way to establish a memorial to a loved one or remember other special occasions. Because you choose the endowment name, you can even include the special name, occasion or purpose in the name of the fund.
These are only a few examples of how endowment funds can be used. Your Gift Planning Counselor can help you establish an endowment fund that accomplishes your ministry goals.
Click here to start to establish your Endowment Fund today!
Thomas Ries
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