Each year, hundreds of people make gifts through the Foundation to support the work of the church.
Some donors designate their gifts for endowments such as the Living Spirit Fund, the Peace & Justice Fund, the Faith & Mission Fund, the Theological Education Fund, the Leadership Fund, the Mission and Service Endowment Fund, or the New Ministries Endowment Fund. Their gifts perpetually support the church through grants to unique, innovative programs and projects that make a difference in people’s lives across Canada. Visit the Grant Information section of the website for more information about the impact of these gifts.
In 2009, the Living Spirit Fund provided a grant to Carlington Community Chaplaincy in Ottawa for its Mentoring Moves Mountains program. The program provides training for adult volunteers who mentor other adults living in a multicultural, multi-faith, social housing community. The volunteers support their mentees’ self-growth in relation to emotional, physical, cultural, spiritual, and personal needs.
Some donors establish personal endowment funds that support their own congregation, the Mission & Service Fund, mission units of the church, or other charities that are important to them.
In 2010, a personal endowment fund that was created in 2005 provided a grant to Riverbend Integrated Community Ministries in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Riverbend puts on the 10×10 Art Project each spring, distributing blank 10″ × 10″ canvases and art supplies to local residents in marginalized areas of Saskatoon. The art the residents create is then displayed at a gallery and a restaurant for a month-long silent auction. The proceeds from each art piece sold are divided evenly between the artist and Riverbend. Local residents of the core neighbourhood are hired to lead the project and work with Riverbend staff to make it happen. This project creates jobs, empowers marginalized people, and results in funds to support Riverbend’s other programs and ministries.
Some donors use gifts of publicly listed securities (such as mutual funds and stocks) to support their own congregation, the Mission & Service Fund, mission units of the church, or other church funds or charities that are important to them.
In 2010, donors made gifts of securities to
- create two new personal endowment funds,
- provide support to 66 congregations and pastoral charges,
- make gifts to 18 United Church–related organizations including theological schools, mission units, and camps, and
- support the global partners of The United Church of Canada, United Church emergency appeals, Mission & Service and World Development and Relief, and various other United Church trusts or endowments.
Many people passionate about the future of the United Church have promised to leave a gift through their estate or by using life insurance. Some of these gifts will establish personal endowment funds; others will contribute to existing endowment funds and support the work of the church in perpetuity.
A donor recently called the Foundation to discuss her estate plans. The donor wished to ensure that some of the organizations she supported in life would continue to receive her support even after her death. Through a bequest in her will, she will establish a personal endowment fund that will make annual grants to the Mission & Service Fund and her congregation.
There is no question that the generosity of United Church people is making a difference today and will continue to make a difference in the decades to come.