There are many benefits to establishing an endowment fund, but the primary one is that it generates a predictable source of income that may support a youth program, your priest’s salary, your general operating budget, or the inevitable and expensive building repairs. With this steady funding, the stress associated with fundraising lessens, allowing your parish leaders to turn their attention to increasing membership and developing appealing programs that will enhance parish life.

As an example, to help ensure that future generations will not have to witness the deterioration of a beloved sanctuary or parish hall, you can create an endowment dedicated exclusively for maintenance costs. Ideally, the best time to do this would be during a capital campaign. Anticipate how much it will cost each year to maintain and repair your parish and include this amount in your campaign goal.

Start Small and Make a Big Difference

Accounts with ACEF can fund long-term commitments, specific programs/projects, or general expenses such as facility repairs/renovations, grounds and maintenance, clergy retirement, scholarships and more. Both parishioners and churches alike can establish funds with ACEF using proceeds from the sale of assets, income from fundraising, or estate planning. It is a misconception that endowments can be created only with a large donation. A parish can create a named endowment with just $2,000, offering parishioners two full years to raise that amount.

In Lieu of Flowers Can Become a Lasting Legacy

Several parishes have built substantial endowments through many individually named legacies created to honor loved ones in lieu of flowers. In one case, a parishioner asked family and friends to make a donation instead of sending flowers to her loved one’s funeral and so created a legacy in honor of that person in perpetuity. Others followed the example, and over the years, with more such gifts and investment returns, the endowment has grown to $1 million.

Spread the word

If you are interested in establishing an endowment or would like to distribute ACEF brochures to members of your parish, please contact Berjouhi Saladin at 212-686-0710 or acef@acefinvest.org