Transfer the Blessings ! Faith Lutheran Church has been blessed with special gifts and bequests to the point that we now have the resources to make our ministry come alive in new and exciting ways. The vehicle to accomplish this ministry is through our Faith Lutheran Church Endowment Fund. The Fund's purpose is to receive gifts and bequests for the use in the mission and ministry of Faith Lutheran Evangelical Church--Missouri Synod, its districts, seminaries, colleges, institutions or agencies.
This is a great way for you to bless and support the ministries you care about in a meaningful and enduring manner.
Why an Endowment Fund? It enables us to fulfill our congregational mission -LOVING GOD, LOVING PEOPLE, SERVING OUR WORLD by doing ministry beyond the limits of our annual budget. It is also consistent with the LCMS Foundation's vision that "every Christian have a Lifetime Plan for Giving". The LCMS has foundation staff folks who can help you develop a personal lifetime plan for giving.
How is this done? Actually, quite simply: Gifts and bequests are made to the fund, which are then used for the purposes, projects, and programs approved each year by the FLC voters' assembly, and executed by the Endowment Fund Management Committee.
What does our Lord have to say about loving others? Many things, of course, and specifically in 1 John 3:17-18 . . . 17But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18Little children, let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth.
Great . . . how do I proceed? If you want to learn more about making a gift or bequest to the Endowment Fund, please contact Pastor Bill, or any member of the Faith Lutheran Endowment Fund Management Committee. If you want to request a grant to support or fund a ministry, project, or program, you can do so by downloading and using the FLC Endowment Fund Grant Request form (below), or you may obtain a copy of the form from the church office.
Current Endowment Fund Management Committee members are: Jane Miniard, Chairperson, Jessica Bivens, Don Feeney, Bill Truex, and Mark Yoder.
FLC Endowment Fund – Frequently Asked Questions
The Faith Lutheran Church (FLC) Endowment Fund provides an opportunity for a perpetual gift to be given to the mission of the church. The fund is a means for the people of the church to fund ministries to the community, region and world through a perpetual gift. The fund complements the ministry of Faith Lutheran in Oak Ridge by encouraging good stewardship and extending ministry outreach and support. The fund encourages parishioners to give proportionately of our accumulated resources in life and death. Endowment Fund Management Committee members for 2015 are Jessica Bivens, Don Feeney, Jane Miniard (chair), Bill Truex, Mark Yoder and Lloyd Hinkle, ex officio member.
Q. What are the Endowment Fund's priorities? A. The purpose of the Endowment Fund is to provide periodic distributions beyond the operating budget of this congregation to ministry expression as stated below.
Maximum of 25% for special projects within the local area wherein the congregation resides.
Maximum of 25% for special ministries with the Mid-South District of the LCMS.
Maximum of 25%for Synod-wide, national or international ministry.
Maximum of 45% distributed for extraordinary ministry initiatives within this congregation.
Distributions are not intended for the ordinary operation of the church or its building programs.
Q. How much will be available in each of these categories? A. Fund information will be published annually in the newsletter and on our web site at http://www.faithoakridge.com/
Q. Do you give grants to individuals? A. Yes, however they need to be submitted by an FLC member and are not meant for individual use.
Q. Do you give funds for use outside the U.S.? A. Yes, per guidelines set forth of "Maximum of 25% for LCMS church-wide ministries.
Q. Do you fund capital projects? A. No, not normally, as they are addressed through the church building fund, special drives and/or the congregational budget.
Q. Do I have to contact a Committee member prior to submitting a request? A. No, unless you have additional questions.
Q. How often can I apply for a distribution? A. One "area" (one of the four categories) every grant cycle (annually).
Q. Do you give funds for general operating support? A. No
Q. Do you sponsor special events and dinners? A. Possibly, IF they fall within the "extraordinary programs/ministry initiatives within this congregation.”
Q. What do you specifically not fund? A. Fundraising is not considered for the following purposes:
General and federated campaigns, including fundraising events, dinners (with exception mentioned in previous Q/A), or mass mailings.
Clinical research or treatment trials.
Sponsorship of general conferences or seminars except those that meet the extraordinary programs/ministry initiative.
Publication of books or the production of films.
Public policy research or (public policy) activities of any kind.
Routine institutional or general operating expenses, general endowments, deficit reduction, or general administrative overhead expenses.
Support for conduit organizations, unified funds, or organizations that use grant funds from donors to support other organizations or individuals.
Q. How do I determine if my organization is eligible to apply for a grant? A. Any organization/individual may apply and the request must be within the approved specific purposes, projects, and programs guidelines set above.
Q. When are grants made? If so what are the dates? A. Applications are considered quarterly. Deadlines are the last day of each Quarter (i.e. - March 31st, June 30th, September 30th, and December 31st Grant decisions are made during the following month and recipients notified.
Q. How do I apply? A. Ask for an application through the church office or go to http://www.faithoakridge.com/ then download and print the grant request form in PDF format.
Q. Where do I send my applications? A. Applications may be sent to or dropped off at the church office.
Q. What follows? A. You may be asked for additional information to help the Committee in qualifying the need for the grant. Once evaluated, either a grant will be granted or a rejection letter sent.
Q. If a grant is given, what should be expected next? A. There will be a presentation of the grant, followed by an evaluation process of the project.
Q. What does the evaluation consist of? A. A review of the financial expenditures and the outcome(s), success, and/or impact of the project.
Q. Can youth/youth groups apply? A. Yes, as long as an adult is designated as a financial /project advisor or director on the application.
Q. Who can apply for Endowment Funds? A. Any person or organization regardless of affiliation with Faith Lutheran Church.
Q. What projects will be considered for funding? A. Projects will be considered that:
Promote the mission statement of the Faith Lutheran Church.
Fit the categories identified in the Endowment Committee’s Policies and Procedures.
Q. How are projects evaluated? A. Projects are evaluated by the following process:
Goals are clearly defined and stated.
Degree of project innovation, creativity, and collaboration
Cost effectiveness of the project
Overall impact of the project
History of the project
Q. How is the Fund managed? A. The fund is managed by the five-member Endowment Fund Management Committee of Faith Lutheran Church. Their actions are guided by the dictates of Scripture and written bylaws, policies and procedures of the fund.
Q. How do I Contribute to the Fund A. One can contribute gifts of any size to the Faith Lutheran Church Oak Ridge Endowment Fund in any of the following ways:
Memorials
Estate Planning
Insurance Beneficiary
Appreciated Assets
Retirement Plan Assets
Gifts of Real Estate
Cash Gifts
Gifts of Stock***
***Gifts of Stock A stock portfolio is often among the most valuable assets you own—and one that can carry substantial capital gain or appreciation in value. With careful planning, you can reduce or even eliminate federal capital gains tax while supporting our work. Read on to see why donating stock can offer even more tax benefits than writing a check.
You give stocks.
You receive an income tax deduction.
Stocks are sold and Faith Lutheran Church Endowment Fund receives the cash proceeds.
Stocks are considered to be appreciated for tax purposes if they're worth more now than when you purchased them.
How It Works. As stock prices increase, so do the taxes you owe on the long-term capital gain, which are generally charged at a rate of 15 percent (0 percent if you are in the 10 and 15 percent tax brackets) through 2012. But when you donate publicly traded stock you've owned for more than one year to a qualified charitable organization such as Faith Lutheran Church, you enjoy two major tax benefits: You will be exempt from paying capital gains taxes on any increase in value—taxes you would pay if you had otherwise sold the securities. You are entitled to a federal income tax deduction based on the current fair market value of the securities, regardless of their original cost. The income tax deduction for long-term capital gain property is limited to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income in the year you make the gift, but your excess deduction is deductible for up to five additional years.
Gifts can be placed in envelopes specially marked for the fund and put in the offering plate or sent to: Faith Lutheran Church Attention: Endowment Fund, 1300 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830. For questions call the church office at (865) 483-5431. In lieu of flowers...create a legacy in remembrance of your loved one.A gift in lieu of flowers at the funeral of a loved one or friend is a most rewarding way to honor their memory. You may wish to consider a memorial to the Faith Lutheran Church Mission Endowment Fund. A contribution in your loved one's memory will be designated to support ministry in our community, region and world through a perpetual gift. Gifts can be made payable to Faith Lutheran Church Endowment Fund and sent to the address below:
Faith Lutheran Church Attention: Endowment Fund 1300 Oak Ridge Turnpike Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7