A strong endowment can make all the difference in the life of a church. It serves as a commitment to sustaining a church’s legacy for generations to come while allowing current members to participate in future ministry in a meaningful way.

Endowments may be used to fund children’s choirs, mission trips and repair HVAC systems. Some sit untouched until a need arises, while other churches use their endowment principal’s annual interest every year. Either way, an endowment can provide structure for a church’s legacy and supports the call to make disciples for Christ into the next generation.

Fayetteville FUMC is an example of a church committed to a thriving future while actively engaging with the needs and wants of their growing congregation today. Their endowment fund began not as one lump sum donation but as a concerted effort between long-time members who had a vision and who took the time to set up a Permanent Endowment Fund. These members saw the growing need for an endowment and their desire to leave a church legacy grew stronger.

In order to establish an endowment fund, Fayetteville FUMC consulted with the Foundation to determine what steps they needed to take. A Foundation representative took their committee through each step of the process, from creating a charge conference resolution, to establishing gift acceptance policies and to outlining the duties and membership of the Permanent Endowment Committee. Their endowment fund was set up in accordance with the Georgia United Methodist Foundation’s guidelines, ensuring the United Methodist Book of Discipline was followed by providing clear guidelines for who would serve on the committee, what types of donations would be accepted and how the endowment dividends could be used. The goal of a clear structure is not to limit the funds use but rather to ensure their longevity.

Assisted by the Foundation, Fayetteville FUMC set their endowment fund in motion in 2016. Today they have multiple endowment funds for various purposes, including a general fund, missions, music, Special Needs Ministry, Youth Ministry, Children’s Choir, a Capital Improvements and Building Maintenance Fund and their General Children’s Ministry Endowment. Their Permanent Endowment Committee meets two times per year to review grant applications from across their church and allocate the money from each of these endowments to the most deserving requested causes.

As both their endowment funds and their ministry have increased, the impact of their hard work has been felt throughout their missions. The General Endowment Fund covered the cost of a new HVAC system, while their Children’s Choir growth has been bolstered by the Children’s Choir Endowment Fund. And one of their most treasured missions, the Sunshine Ministry, was granted funding for a part-time aid to assist with the members of their Special Needs Ministry.

Senior Pastor Kaylen Short of Fayetteville UMC has watched as the endowment fund has grown and its mission has been expanded. He says, “An endowment is a perfect example of ministry. Even if you begin with a little bit and you tend to it wisely, that work will eventually bear fruit in a way that someone else gets to celebrate and give thanks for your foresight. “ He was grateful to explain that, in his case, “I’m not the one who planted it, I get to benefit from the good work. I still tend to it and care for it well, but I am seeing the work and giving thanks for those that came before me. “

If your church could benefit from an endowment fund or needs help beginning the process, reach out to us today or learn more on our Endowments page.