Salem offers two additional opportunities for you to support your church and its ministry. These are Memorials and Endowments.
Memorials and endowments are a wonderful way to remember loved ones; and also for you to designate, at death, a portion of your estate for the work of your church. Many of us have deep roots in our community and feel a deep sense of dedication toward our church and its ministry in the Wolfsville area. As we think of the future, beyond our lifetime, it is comforting to imagine our church continuing to be a robust ministry, active in leading people to Christ, changing lives, and reaching out and supporting the local community during our lifetime and beyond.
1. MEMORIALS
Purpose: To remember or honor a loved one or church member with a contribution to the church.
a. You may make a memorial gift at any time in memory or honor of a loved one.
b. Memorial gifts to the church may be designated at time of death, often included in an obituary.
c. You can designate a memorial gift to a specific project or need in the church, e.g., Building and Improvement Fund. If you do not wish to designate a specific project or need, Salem’s Church Council retains discretion and authority to use these funds in the best interest of the church.
d. You may wish to include a memorial gift as a bequest in your Last Will and Testament.
2. ENDOWMENTS
Purpose: To build a permanent fund which will remain unspent. Only interest or dividend income will be used to support the endowment’s purpose.
A. Cemetery Perpetual Endowment Fund
Many years ago, Salem established a perpetual endowment fund for the upkeep of our cemetery. The contributions to this endowment fund will never be spent, but the interest earned from the investment of this money pays for mowing, trimming, and other upkeep. This fund originally contained contributions from congregation members and family members of people who are buried at the cemetery. In subsequent years, the endowment fund received contributions from two estates, the Catherine Powell Estate and the Earl and Evelyn Grossnickle Estate. These endowment funds will remain unspent to ensure the maintenance of Salem’s cemetery for generations to come. Another way to assure the future upkeep of your grave site is to include, in your will or trust, a bequest for the Salem Cemetery Perpetual Endowment Fund.
B. Endowment for Ministry
The purpose of the Endowment for Ministry fund is to enable Salem Church to support its mission, and ensure its financial stability for future generations. All gifts and bequests to the Endowment for Ministry will be held in perpetuity (unspent), and only the income generated will be used to support God’s work, as directed by Salem’s ministry in Wolfsville. Funds generated from the endowment may be used for pastoral ministry and ministry programs; church building utilities, equipment, maintenance, expansion, and grounds upkeep; and outreach, mission projects, and benevolences.
Management of the Endowment for Ministry:
Salem’s Church Council will manage and approve all investment decisions. In addition, when funds are generated from the endowment, the Church Council will designate the specific ministry for which the funds are to be used.
Outright Gifts:
Outright gifts may be given at any time. Gifts may be given in memory or honor of loved ones.
Planned (Deferred) Gifts:
As you do your estate planning, have you considered including your church in your plans? Many like the idea that their bequest will be permanent, perpetual, never spent, but remains there for the future good of the church. A gift to Salem through your Last Will and Testament, Trusts, Life Insurance, Retirement Assets, etc., allows you to make a meaningful contribution in support of Salem’s ministry for future generations; and it gives you an opportunity to leave a permanent legacy at Salem Church.
All gifts are tax deductible. Names of those memorialized will be displayed on plaques in the church building.
Ways You Can Give?
- Cash Gift
- Gift of Appreciated Stock
- Gift of Savings Bonds
- Gift of Real Estate*
- Gift of a Bank Account or Certificate of Deposit
- Gift of a Life Insurance Policy
- Gift in a Will or Trust
- Gift of an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
- Gift of a Charitable Gift Annuity
- Gift of a Charitable Remainder Trust
*Salem can accept a gift of real estate only if another party shoulders the responsibility for managing and disposing of the real estate.
NOTE: You may wish to consult your financial planner or estate planner to assure that your wishes are properly and legally documented.