Endowment Funds
Gifts Without End – Amen
West Side has been blessed with a long history of members and friends who have supported our vision and mission by sharing their time, talents and financial gifts. Over ten years ago, several gifts were made to West Side from the estates of deceased members that were designated to provide a source of long-term financial support for the church. Subsequent contributions from members and friends have been added as endowed gifts. The provisions of our endowment funds require that the principal of each fund remains invested with only the earned income being available for distribution.
The General Endowment Fund was the first fund established to support special projects with funding not falling within West Side’s regular operating budget. Examples of Fund distributions in recent years include amounts for Stephen Ministry, the new computer lab, our youth’s Appalachia service project and tables for Weiss Hall. The Endowment Fund Committee initially reviews all grant requests and makes its recommendations to the Finance Committee for approval. The United Methodist Foundation of the Detroit Annual Conference provides investment management services for this Fund.
The Garden Endowment Fund is another endowed fund where only the earned income can be used for special purposes needed by West Side’s Gardens. The Endowment Fund Committee oversees and coordinates distributions from this Fund as well. Investment management is provided by the United Methodist Foundation.
The Memorial Endowment Fund provides support from long-term memorial giving. The United Methodist Foundation also manages its principal. Over the last two years, the fund has provided approximately $1,500 in support of church needs such as handbell tables and our new hymnal supplements, “In Faith We Sing.” The Memorials Committee oversees spending for this fund.
The Christian Education Endowment Fund was established in 1991 with a generous gift from Dick and Norma Sarns in order to supplement and enrich the church’s ministry to children, youth, adults and families of the congregation. The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation manages its principal. The Christian Education Committee is responsible for allocation of fund earnings. At least one $1,000 and in recent years two scholarships have been awarded every spring using available money. Earnings from fiscal 2002 were used to purchase Sunday school room tables and chairs, toddler room bookshelves, 2 DVD players and lamps for the lounge. Two $500 scholarships for adult education were also offered this past year.
If you would like to make a contribution
to the Christian Education Endowment Fund you may
do so by making a check payable to:
Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation
West Side Christian Education Endowment Fund
201 S. Main St Suite 501
Ann Arbor MI 48104
If you are looking for ways to provide long-term support to West Side or are performing current estate and tax planning, you may want to give consideration to endowment fund gifts. If you would like more information on these funds or how to make gifts that never end, please feel free to contact us.
Doug Weber – Chair, Endowment Fund Committee
Marg & Jerry Charbeneau – Chair, Memorials Committee
Mary Marzec – Director of Discipleship: Chair,
Christian Education Endowment fund Advisory committee