Endowment Funds
Gifts Without End – Amen
West Side is blessed to have a long history of members supporting our vision and mission through the sharing of their time, talent and financial gifts. A little over ten years ago, the first of several financial gifts were made to West Side from estates of past members and by current members to provide long-term unending support. These gifts resulted in the creation of several endowment funds that we benefit from today. Their principal remains intact and the earnings generated by these funds provide the unending support to West Side.
The General Endowment Fund established over a decade ago supports special projects outside the regular church’s operating budget. The General Endowment Fund, managed through the United Methodist Foundation of the Detroit Annual Conference, has provided financial support in excess of $10,000 annually for the last several years for special church programs and projects such as Stephen Ministry, our new computer lab, our youth’s Appalachia service project and tables for Weiss Hall. The Endowment Fund Committee coordinates spending of the fund.
The Garden Endowment Fund also overseen by the Endowment Fund Committee was established through gifts of members several years ago and income is to be used for specific future purposes related to our Gardens. The United Methodist Foundation manages the fund.
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