The Westminster Endowment Fund

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To Enlarge and Perpetuate our Christian Mission

 

Endowment Fund Purpose

Established in 1981, the mission of The Endowment Fund of Westminster Presbyterian Church is to further the religious and charitable purposes of our Church. At the same time, The Fund can help perpetuate Westminster's influence in our personal lives, the lives of our children and other loved ones, the community where we live, and non-local domestic and international projects.

How the Fund Works

The Board of Managers, elected by the congregation, receives contributions in the name of the Endowment Fund and converts those to income producing assets.  Only the income produced from these assets, not the original principal or capital appreciation, is available for distribution.

Requests for Grants from the Endowment Fund are reviewed by the Board of Managers. If the Board concurs that the proposed endeavor will advance Westminster's mission and influence, the Board forwards the request and its recommended funding to Session for endorsement.

Contributing to the Fund

Contributions to The Endowment Fund can be made at any time and in any amount.  Methods of contributing can include:

  • Check made out to the "The Endowment Fund of Westminster Presbyterian Church"

  • Transferring of securities or real estate

  • Naming the Fund as a beneficiary in a will

  • Naming the Fund as a beneficiary in a life insurance policy

  • Assigning an existing life insurance policy

  • Contributing through a Life Income Structure.

Guidelines for Grant Approval

The Endowment Fund encourages individuals or groups to seek grants for activities or projects which will further the religious or charitable purposes of Westminster Presbyterian Church and thereby extend this Church's Christian influence. Guidelines have been developed to help the Board of Managers evaluate a Grant Request and are summarized as follows:

  • Grant Requests must be sponsored by a Westminster member.

  • A Westminster member must be actively involved in the program or project for which the grant is intended.

  • Grant is to be a one-time funding to establish a program or project and not an on-going commitment.  If an on-going commitment is needed, then Session/Trustees must approve subsequent funding from the Church operating budget.

  • Grants are not for programs or projects that are part of the Church's normal operating budget.

  • Grants to agencies outside of Westminster are for new programs, and not for normal operating budget items.

Procedure for Requesting Grants

Each request for a grant must be submitted to The Endowment Fund via the church office on the Request for Endowment Fund Grant Form or via the online application form (See below).  Once this form is received by the Board of Managers, it will be reviewed at the next meeting of the Board.  Members submitting grant requests are encouraged to discuss the details with members of the Fund Board prior to the meeting, and may be asked to attend the Board meeting.

What the Fund Supports

Since inception in 1981 the Endowment Fund has provided over $725,000 in grants to over 130 separate programs and the value of the fund is over $1,200,000.  This funding has been balanced between local missions, non-local missions, and new Westminster programs.  Listed below are some examples of projects supported by the Endowment Fund:

Local Missions

  • Dilworthtown Community Church

  • Westminster Thrift Shop (for start-up in new location)

  • Bournelyf Camp (for disadvantaged children)

  • Barclay Friends Home (Elderly Care)

  • West Chester Senior Center

Non-Local (National and International) Missions

  • Threads of Hope (start-up cottage sewing industry, Honduras)

  • Katrina Relief

  • Serving at the Crossroads Clinic

  • Pakistan Missions

  •  Bosnian Dialogue Project

  • Weimer Church (Germany)

New Westminster Programs 

  • Bridge to Honduras

  • Stephen Ministry (Caring Support) 

  • Joseph's People (Job Search Aid)

  • Recovery Ministry (Divorce Counsel)

  • Youth Fellowship

Contact Information

Please contact Endowment Fund President, Burt Rothenberger, for further information.  He can be reached at bfrothen@comcast.net . Additional members of the board are Bruce Bryan, Treasurer; Mary Anna Reimann, Secretary; Rhoda McNitt, Vice President; Bob Sumner, and George Warren. 

Grant Request Forms

Grant Request Forms are available: