Proposed Revised FCC Endowment Policy

To note….  Has gone through seven drafts with the Trustees  Unanimously approved by Trustees  Unanimously approved by General Board

Current Endowment Policy, & Gifts, Wills, & Bequest Policy  Strengths Firm and long-standing commitment to the importance of having an Endowment Policy to strengthen church Explicit, appropriate, and generous commitment to “tithe” to mission received gifts Commitment to mission when funds are withdrawn from the Endowment Fund

Current Endowment Policy, & Gifts, Wills, & Bequest Policy  Weaknesses Contained in two separate documents, plus notes from a congregational meeting Endowment Policy language is almost 50 years old, and no longer reflects “best practices” of congregational endowments Overly complex Is not nearly as effective stewardship tool as it could be

What Doesn’t Change  Strong Commitment to mission!  Policy not “lightly” changed  Policy makes room for genuine financial emergencies but makes the bar for determining such appropriately strict

What Does Change and Why  Simplification 2 ½ pages instead of 12 Much easier, therefore, to share with those potentially interested in making a planned gift Brings policy in line with current church practices, structures, names of governing groups, etc.

What Does Change and Why  Primary STEWARDSHIP emphasis The current policies read and function primarily as “finance” policies. The stewardship emphasis is implicit, but not explicit. Proposed policy puts stewardship “front and center”

What Does Change and Why Biblical warrant Makes much easier, therefore, to assure donors that the gifts they give at death will permanently help support the church they’ve loved during their lives!

What Does Change and Why  Following “best practices” as recommended by the Christian Church Foundation and as with most churches nowadays, uses a stated percentage draw each year to support the ongoing operational budget. BUT….

What Does Change and Why  At the same time explicitly makes provision to grow the principle/“market value” of the Fund – which over time increases the ministry possible!  Protects the fund value/principle in years where Fund growth is less than stated percentage draw

What Does Change and Why  Makes explicit what happens to the Endowment Fund in the event of FCC’s dissolution/closure  Helps protect the Fund for ministry with Disciples-related causes in the event FCC were ever to cease being a Disciples church. This is a matter of gratitude to our forebears which we owe to them!

What Does Change and Why  Sets the Policy in the clear and explicit context of FCC’s “Vision and Mission Statement.”

What Does Change and Why  Endowment Policies are not just about how we bank our money, but how we do mission and encourage mission and see everything we are and do as about “radical hospitality” and “joyful generosity”!