Endowment Program

THE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM
OF THE NORTHWEST TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 

What is the Endowment Program?

The Endowment Program of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference is a program that will allow gifts and memorials to be made to the Annual Conference within a permanent fund. This permanent fund will be used in such a way that only the interest generated by the fund will be spent to support the designated gift or memorial. Therefore the Endowment Program of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference will provide permanent funding for the designated use that could continue for many years.

What is the Endowment Program's purpose?

The Endowment Program has two purposes:

providing members and friends opportunities to make charitable gifts to the Northwest Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.

providing funds for ministries that are not a part of the Conferences established programs and which are not funded through the annual operating budget of the Conference.

What is the Endowment Program»s legal name?

The legal name of the Endowment Program is The Endowment Program of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Gifts to the Endowment Program should be made in this name.

Can the Charter be changed or amended?

Amendments to the Charter shall be enacted by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Annual Conference at its regular session.

How is the Endowment Fund administered?

The Endowment Program will be administered by the Permanent Endowment Fund Committee of the Annual Conference, under authority granted by the Annual Conference. The Committee shall consist of 6 at-large members (one from each district) plus 5 ex-officio representatives who will consist of the chairperson of the Board of Trustees (or a member appointed by the chairperson of the Board of Trustees, The chairperson of the Council on Finance and Administration (or a member appointed by the chairperson of the Council on Finance and Administration), the Conference Director of Missions and Administration, one member of the Cabinet of the Annual Conference appointed by the Bishop, and a representative of the Texas Methodist Foundation (without vote).

What are the rules regarding gifts to the Endowment Program?

Gifts to the Endowment Program shall be classified as "restricted" or "unrestricted" and then assigned to one of the following categories:

Mission Funds (for missions in and beyond the local church and community).

Property Funds (for maintenance, care, improvements or additions to, or construction of physical facilities throughout the Annual Conference).

Special Needs and Ministries Fund (for special needs and ministries as determined by the Annual Conference).

Are copies of the Endowment Program Charter available?

Yes, copies of the Charter are available on request from the Conference Office of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference.

Who is legally responsible for the Foundation?

The Permanent Endowment Fund Committee of the Annual Conference is legally responsible for the Fund. They report annually to the Annual Conference of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference.

How large or small a gift will the Endowment Program accept?

Restricted Gifts are limited to a minimum of $10,000. However, any gift is welcome for the Unrestricted Fund. The Committee shall have the authority and responsibility to accept or reject any and all gifts to the Endowment Program in keeping with the authority granted by the Annual Conference.

How will my contribution help?

Your donation to the Endowment Program will provide permanent support for mission and ministry of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference, subject to the charter and the corporate laws of the State of Texas. The Endowment Program will continue in perpetuity.

Who determines the investments of the funds?

The charter of the Endowment Program provides for investment through the Texas Methodist Foundation. Investment approval is overseen by the Endowment Committee of the Annual Conference. Any transfer of the Endowment Program assets for investment with another institution, other than the Texas Methodist Foundation, must be approved by a majority vote of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference, at which a quorum is present, upon recommendation of the Endowment Committee and the Council on Finance and Administration.

Can I specify how my gift can be used?

Yes, you may designate a gift and how it is used. However, a Restricted Gift may be limited to a minimum amount of $10,000. An endowment gift may be pledged over time to reach the $10,000 minimum for a specific restricted gift. Once the minimum is achieved, you may continue to add to the restricted fund in any amount. Other gifts will be deposited in the Unrestricted Fund and may be made in honor of memory of a loved one or cause. Consideration will be given for administrative reasons to a minimum amount when a gift is designated to create a permanent endowment. Consideration might also be given to allow a specific time period in which such an endowment might reach a pre-set minimum amount. If the endowment does not reach that goal by the stated time period, then provisions can be made for 1) transfer of the gift to a General Endowment, or 2) for the endowment not to make any distributions until the corpus reaches a certain amount. Once a designated permanent endowment has been created, gifts of any size can be accepted.

Will the amount of the gift be confidential?

Yes. The amount and details of all gifts or donations to the Endowment program are treated as confidential business transactions unless the donor and Endowment Committee agree otherwise.

How will my gift be acknowledged?

Each donor will receive an official letter of acknowledgment. In addition, persons honored by gifts of families of persons memorialized will be informed that a gift has been made in their name.

Does the Endowment Program replace other church/conference giving?

No. Gifts to the Endowment program are special gifts that are intended for the permanent benefit of the conference. The object of the Endowment program is to strengthen the Conference through supplemental gifts.

Is a gift to the Endowment Program deductible for Federal Tax purposes?

Yes. Your gift is tax-deductible for income, estate, and gift tax purposes as long as you abide by local, state, and federal laws.

Can I obtain advice from the Conference regarding my gift to the Endowment Program?

Yes. The Endowment Committee will be happy to provide information on simple gifts. More complicated gifts may require financial or legal advice from your family accountant or lawyer.

EXAMPLE CODICIL FOR A WILL
(Potential Donors should consult their family lawyers)

I,_________________________________,of___________________________,

___________________________________ declare that this is the (first) codicil to my last Will, which I executed on __________________, 20______.

I give _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

to The Endowment Program of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.

I have signed this on the ______________day of ______________, 20____.

The foregoing instrument, consisting of this page, was signed, published, and declared by ___________________  to be the (first) codicil to his/her last Will and Testament in our presence and we at his/her request and in his/her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

Dated this ________________ day of ____________________ , 20____.

________________________________________________

    residing at _______________________________________

                       _______________________________________

    residing at _______________________________________

                       ______________________________________________________________

(Self-proving affidavit recommended; please consult your own lawyer.)

How can I contribute to the Endowment Program?

By making a simple and direct gift of money to the Endowment Program.

By contributing non-cash gifts, such as antiques, artwork, business inventories, collections of value, jewelry, corps, land contacts, notes, oil leases, royalties, stocks and bonds, real estate, actually anything of value (with approval of the Endowment Committee).

By making a gift to the Endowment Program in your Will.

By making the Endowment Program a contingent beneficiary in your Will in the event that you are not survived by immediate family.

By establishing a Trust providing for members of your family or others during their lifetime, but keeping the estate intact for a later gift to the Endowment Program.

By naming the Endowment Program as a beneficiary (or contingent beneficiary) for all or part of an insurance policy. This approach may appeal to you if you no longer need the protection provided by existing policies. New policies also can be purchased with income and estate tax advantages as well.

By making a contribution honoring a loved one or friend on any special occasion ¿ a birth, anniversary, retirement, award, or birthday. An appropriate message indicating your contribution will be sent to the person being honored.

By the giving of a Memorial Gift. What a great way to provide a memorial to a relative or friend by presenting a gift to the Endowment Program. Families of the person designated by the donor are notified of the memorial.

By the use of Corporate Matching Gifts. If you are employed by or retired from a company with a matching gift program, you may be able to double or triple your gift dollars to the Endowment Program. Contact your company»s personnel office for information.

If you have questions you can contact Dave Andersen at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .