Foundation (continued)

GOAL AND PURPOSE

The Foundation was established to maximize earnings and to benefit Trinity much like a savings account serves a family. Since its by-laws require that 10% of the earnings be retained each year, the potential of the Foundation will not diminish with time.

Having the Foundation allows us to accept new opportunities for Christian service when they become available. Funds are made available for special Church needs without disrupting our budget. Trinity is assured of carrying our present ministry and mission to Salina and the world. Finally, special Church scholarships can be provided to Trinity members.

The donor also benefits by joining others in an act of Christian stewardship which will perpetuate Trinity's Christian influence through the years ahead.

PRIORITIES

Your first priority in your giving to the Church should be your annual plan of giving to the Operating and Mission Budget. It is Trinity's lifeline. The Foundation is an additional but crucial priority.

PARTICIPATION

Gifts to the Foundation may be in the form of a memorial to honor a loved one, a gift of thanksgiving on some special occasion, or a gift to obtain a current tax benefit. There are two general categories of gifts:
GENERAL PURPOSE: This type of gift has no restriction regarding the use of the income and is encouraged because of additional flexibility in meeting unknown requirements of future years.
RESTRICTED: A person giving this type of gift may restrict its use for some special purpose. This means Trinity must follow the donor's wishes, unless this becomes impractical or impossible.

WAYS OF GIVING

You can share in and become a part of the Trinity Foundation by contributing a Living Gift, Life Insurance, or by making a Bequest in your will. All of the following may have certain tax benefits.
LIVING GIFTS: More and more people are deciding to help advance the work of the Church by making gifts while they are living. These may be money, securities, property, or a gift which provides income for life. This brings to the donor a sense of personal accomplishment.
LIFE INSURANCE: A person, whose life insurance coverage now exceeds family needs, may find that giving an existing policy is an ideal way to make a gift to the Foundation.
BEQUESTS: By remembering the Foundation, as well as your family and loved ones, in your will, you are helping to carry on Christ's work on earth long after you are gone. In this manner you can gain a deep, inner satisfaction and achieve a kind of personal immortality.
REAL ESTATE: A gift of your personal residence can be made to Trinity, with the right to continue to use it for your lifetime, and take an immediate tax deduction (and another estate tax deduction at time of death). In this way, middle income persons can make a sizable bequest with some immediate tax advantages.

GIFTS THROUGH YOUR WILL

The simplest and preferred form of gift is a General Bequest whereby you bequeath a stated amount or a percentage of your estate to the Foundation without any conditions attached. If you prefer to provide a sum of money for a specific project or program such as Christian Education, Music, Missions, Property Maintenance, etc., simply Designate Your Bequest. If you are unsure of the needs of your estate, specify a Residuary Bequest. This provides that the remainder of your estate or portion thereof, will be left to the Foundation after all other bequests are fulfilled. A Contingent Bequest bequeaths to the Foundation any part of your estate the other beneficiaries are not able to receive. Please consult your financial advisor or your attorney when wording your bequest in your will.

SECURE THE FUTURE

Trinity United Methodist Church sees bequests and living gifts as an essential factor in maintaining and improving the services rendered to this and future generations of those who seek the extension of our Christian way of life. The next move is yours. Consider your responsibility to dispose of the worldly goods which God has provided for your use. You should, therefore, plan wisely for the Christian use of your estate both during your lifetime and after you are gone. In returning a portion of the goods accumulated through your life's work as a Christian, you pass love and faith to new generations who follow.

The foundation is for every person
who wishes to extend his or her stewardship
through the Church during their lifetime and
to perpetuate it in their memory.

WHO ADMINISTERS THE FOUNDATION?

A Foundation Committee has been appointed by the Administrative Council with the approval of the Charge Conference of the Church. This committee must report to the Administrative Council and the Board of Trustees at least quarterly. An investment sub-committee is in charge of investing the Foundation's assets in accordance with investment policies approved by the Foundation Committee. If you would like to discuss the Foundation, make a contribution, or obtain a grant applicationlease contact the Church office for the names of the members of the Foundation Committee. Contact the church office for names of the committee members if you would like to discuss the Foundation, make a contribution, get an application, or have question about the application.

(An application is online in PDF format that requires PDF reader.)