Remember Your Church

Remember Your Church

In Your Will or Estate Plan

  • We hope this information is helpful as you think about your giving this year and in the future.
  • If you have questions or would like to learn more, please contact the church office.

Thank You!

Make a difference

Your gifts to Bethany United Methodist Church support ministries that change lives and share the love of the living Christ with a world in need.

With a little planning, a gift to the church through one’s will or estate plan can be a meaningful testament to one’s faith, an inspiration to family and friends and a force for life-changing ministry in the world.

What is an endowment fund?

An endowment fund is a permanent fund that is invested to promote and enhance the church’s
ministries.

Why do we have endowment funds?

Endowment funds provide an excellent opportunity to make gifts that provide for services not covered under the normal operating budget of the church. The principal of the funds is maintained in perpetuity and the earnings generated can be used today and in the future to benefit the church and its mission.

What endowment funds exist?

The church has established three funds:

  • The Bethany Endowment Fund to support the ministry of the church
  • The Scholarship Endowment Fund to support post-secondary education
  • The Children and Youth Ministries Endowment Fund to support programs related to children and youth

In addition members have established named funds to support particular ministries of the church.

Can I add to an endowment fund?

You can add to any of the three endowment funds created by the church. The Bethany Endowment fund is the fund we encourage most people to consider in making a gift to an endowment fund. The Bethany Endowment fund offers the broadest opportunities to create, improve, expand or maintain programs of the church, beyond the normal budget items.

Can I create my own endowment fund?

You can create your own fund. The church establishes guidelines to make sure the fund is large enough to be economical and the mission can be achieved. A memorandum of understanding is established with Bethany and the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation to
ensure the purpose of the gift can be supported and the distribution policy is clearly outlined.

Who determines how funds are used?

Bethany’s Memorials and Bequests Team is charged with the responsibility of coordinating the distributions from the funds that are consistent with each fund’s purpose. The team consists of the pastor, church treasurer, a representative from the trustees, a representative from the finance team, and six at-large members of the church.

Who manages the endowment funds?

The Memorials and Bequests Team monitors the investment manager of the funds, reports earnings available for distribution, ensures donor intent is clearly established and followed, promotes the funds, and works with potential donors to develop appropriate gifts and funds. The investment of the funds has been delegated to the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation.

What is the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation?

The mission of the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation is to be the primary resource in the Wisconsin United Methodist Fellowship for lifelong financial stewardship. It provides options for church-related entities to pool their funds for the purpose of professionally managed investment services adhering to the United Methodist Social Principles. It serves the long-term investment strategies of ministries, endowments, trustee funds and other permanent funds. These services also allow for professional oversight and cost savings as participants in a larger investment pool, freeing the resources of Bethany to focus on its mission and appropriate use of the funds.

Are gifts tax deductible?

Yes. Gifts to the endowment funds are charitable donations as a gift to the church, and deductible for income tax purposes just as any other gift.

What kinds of gifts can be made to an endowment fund?

Many types of gifts could benefit our endowment funds. A few examples include cash, stocks and bonds, mutual funds, real estate, life insurance, and planned gifts.

Is my gift too small?

Because all gifts to existing funds are pooled, they have a cumulative effect, making even the smallest gift significant. Every gift contributes to the overall growth of the principal amount, which compounds the return on investments.

Can I make a gift to Bethany under my will?

You can make a gift to Bethany under your will or trust by naming the church—specifically “Bethany United Methodist Church of Madison, Wisconsin.” Bethany can also be designated as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan. If you would like your gift to be added to an endowment fund, you would include the name of the fund in the gift — for example a gift to “Bethany United Methodist Church, Madison, Wisconsin, to be added to the Bethany Endowment Fund.”

What is a planned gift?

A planned gift to the church is a financial gift structured to serve the needs of the church as well as the giver. The most common planned gift is a gift through a will or trust, also known as a bequest. Another planned gift is a charitable gift annuity that provides payments for life and tax benefits to the donor, and ultimately benefits the church. Many types of planned gifts can be created with the support of the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation.

Who do I contact to discuss this further?

For more information about creative and effective giving, contact the church office at (608) 238-6381.