Resources
The Foundation provides free materials and consultations to congregations as they explore ways to be faithful stewards of endowment gifts left to their care. Staff can be contacted to visit with church leadership to help develop strategies for a planned giving ministry and to assist in crafting a permanent fund policy. To schedule a visit, contact the development officer who covers your area.
To check on the availability of these in printed quantity, call (800) 668-8016.
This is an example of a congregation's permanent fund policy that outlines what the permanent fund is designed to do, who is responsible for oversight, how distributions are to be made and how gifts are to be handled. It is available. Brochure (Word doc) and a (pdf).
This booklet helps congregational leaders and permanent fund trustees work through issues related to starting and promoting permanent funds to help undergird a congregation’s ministry. This also includes a sample permanent fund policy and a sample of conflict-of-interest statement that trustees might want to consider. Brochure (pdf)
These articles, designed for church newsletters, help promote planned gifts to the congregation. The articles can be customized by inserting the congregation's name where appropriate. Articles cover estate planning, life-income gifts and ways to endow a donor's pledge. Articles (Word doc)
Gifts from donors’ estates are a special blessing. These gifts are often their final testimony that the church is called to stretch and serve many future generations. In all of the work that we do, however, one paramount consideration deserves special focus: We must make it a priority to understand and to honor any donor restrictions on gifts made to the church. Brochure (pdf)
This brochure outlines suggested steps to make a seminar successful in your congregation. Brochure (pdf)
This paper was developed in response to questions about congregations feeling "under attack" or worried about takeovers. Brochure (pdf)
This booklet contains a compilation of helpful tips and instructions for those involved with finances in the local congregation. It was compiled by the financial ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). English Handbook (pdf) Espanol Handbook (pdf)