The Aurora United Methodist Church's

Endowment Program

 

 

Planning For the Future

Purpose of the Endowment Program

Seven Invested Funds and Categories

        Building

        Christian Education

        Greatest Needs

        Missions

        Music

        Scholarship

        Youth

 

Types of Gifts

        Charitable Gift Annuities

Funds Invested with the Nebraska Conference Foundation

Endowment Fund Balance

Those who have BENEFITED from the Endowment

 

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

The Aurora United Methodist Church ENDOWMENT FUND seeks to ensure that future generations will come to know and celebrate the Good News of Jesus Christ. Worship, Christian education, service and fellowship are the essential ingredients for a Spirit-filled congregation. Giving is a vital part of Christian living. The ENDOWMENT FUND is designed to combine many gifts, small and large, and to have them managed for the permanent benefit of our church.

All gifts will be added to the principal of the ENDOWMENT FUND. Only income is used for special ministries except in unusual circumstances when a portion of the principal may be made available. These gifts continue the work of the church for years to come. The giving is a true expression of the giver’s concern for the church and its future ministry.

 

PURPOSE

The purpose of the fund is to provide a means whereby gifts to the church may be held with income and/or principal to be used to fulfill the purposes of the church in Christian ministry and mission. Responsibility for investment and management of the Fund shall be vested in the Board of Trustees of the Aurora United Methodist Church subject to the direction of the Church Conference as prescribed in the current edition of the Book of Discipline. The Endowment Committee shall assist in promoting and management of the fund.

 

SEVEN FUNDS WITHIN THE ENDOWMENT

All income is used to further the ministry of the Aurora United Methodist Church

  • The Building Maintenance Fund

Income generated from gifts in this category are used for these purposes of the building:

Construction

Reconstruction

Remodeling

Repair 

Replacement

 

Only the income from this investment are used for these purposes.

A separate non-endowed fund has been established for donations directly to the building expansion.

               

 

 

               
      The Christian Education committee uses the income generated from this fund to further the Christian Education of our members.  This includes (but is not limited to) the funding of Rejoice! scholarships, Vacation Bible School programs, Christmas programs, and other educational purposes.

 

 

 

 

  • Greatest Needs Funds

       These are funds that do not have a designation except to help "with the greatest needs of the church."  Income from these investments is entrusted to the Committee on Trustees for the furtherance of the ministry of the Aurora United Methodist Church

 

 

 

 

      Income generated from gifts to this fund are used by the Outreach Committee to fund mission projects and missionaries on a local, regional, nation, and international level.  The current recipient to this year's allocation can be found at this link.

 

 

 

 

  • Music Fund

      The Worship Committee is entrusted with the income generated from this fund to purchase music, improve the sound equipment, maintain current musical equipment (i.e. piano, bells, etc.), and for the purchase of new equipment.
       A separate fund has been established to directly help with the upkeep of the Pipe Organ.  This fund is intended to be used only during times of need for the Pipe Organ.

 

 

 

 
     Income generated from this investment will be used to fund scholarships for members of the Aurora United Methodist Church currently enrolled (or will be enrolled) in facilities of higher education.

     One also has the opportunity to endow a Memorial Scholarship in the name of a loved-one.  Income from each memorial investment is used to fund one (or more) scholarships.

     Currently six families have endowed Memorial Scholarships:

 

Doyle M. Garwood Memorial Scholarship

Clarence Luthy Memorial Scholarship

Cecil R. Sims Memorial Scholarship

Don Carrico Ministerial Scholarship

Raymond Christenson Memorial Scholarship

Bill Kropp Memorial Scholarship

                

 

 

 
Income generated from this investment is used by the Youth Council to fund the youth ministry of the Aurora United Methodist Church

 

 

 

TYPES OF GIFTS

  • Charitable Gift Annuity (lifetime income for the donor)

If you are age 60 to 65 or older, you will see a significant increase in your income with this Gift.  Through the purchase of a Charitable Gift Annuity from a non-profit institution such as The United Methodist Church will allow you to increase your income, provide an opportunity for a charitable income tax deduction, provide partially tax-free income, and allow you the opportunity to support God’s work through your church -- forever! Not only will you have the higher income to meet your lifetime needs, but you can also be assured that a portion of the assets with which God has blessed you will continue to support God’s work in the church and in our community.

To learn more about how a Charitable Gift Annuity might benefit you and help you to achieve your estate planning goals, please contact the Nebraska United Methodist Foundation at 800 / 435-6107, or you can contact the church office and we will help you get started. There is no fee and no obligation to set up an Annuity.

  • Charitable Remainder Trust (lifetime income for the donor)

  • Cash (fully tax deductible)

  • Stocks or bonds (especially if appreciated in value)

  • Real estate (especially if appreciated in value)

  • Life insurance (either a new or existing policy)

  • Bequests of Gifts by Will (exempt from estate taxes)

  • Retained Life Estate (continue using property but receive income tax and estate tax deductions)

  • IRAs and other “Qualified” Plans through a beneficiary designation (currently the best gift at death)

  • Lead Trust (provides current income to church with trust assets later returning to family)

  • New! Family Endowment Fund (for individuals not close to retirement age)

 

FUNDS INVESTED

The Fund is invested with the Nebraska United Methodist Foundation. This organization invests the funds of over 130 United Methodist churches, groups, and organizations. Directed by an elected board of Trustees, this body invests only in accordance with the Social Principals of The United Methodist Church.

 

ENDOWMENT FUND BALANCE

On December 31, 2003, the balance in Aurora's Endowment Fund was $56,397.63.  The entire amount is invested with the Nebraska United Methodist Foundation.  The following is a financial history of the fund.

Endowment Fund Balance

1994 - $100.00

1995 - $2,215.00

1996 - $6,259.27

1997 - $6,593.56

1998 - $28,797.51

1999 - $30,499.49

2000 - $31,186.75

2001 - $42,584.37

2002 - $56,397.63

2003 - $58,624.21

   

 

YOUR CONTRIBUTION CAN BE YOUR GIFT OF A LIFETIME!

GIVING reflects the love of Christ in the hearts of people. It is a vital part of Christian living. The next move is yours. Consider your responsibility to dispose of the worldly goods that God has provided for your use.

 

THOSE WHO HAVE BENEFITED

from the ENDOWMENT PROGRAM

   

 

 

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