Endowment Fund

This fund was estabalished in 2014 and exists to ensure the long-term financial resilience of our church, enabling our members and friends to continue their loving support of WBUUC beyond their own lifetimes.

Separate from the operating reserve set aside in each year’s budget, the Endowment’s assets are invested for continued growth, in anticipation of future challenges and opportunities as WBUUC pursues its mission of spiritual development and service to the world for decades to come.

Donors may support the Endowment through gifts of cash, stock and other current assets, or by designating gifts from their estates. Whatever the form or amount of their gifts, donors become members of the church’s Legacy Circle.

Giving in support of the Endowment Fund can take many forms, such as:

  • A tax-deductible gift today of cash, stocks, annuities, stocks, cash or other current assets.
  • A direct bequest to the fund in your will or trust documents.
  • Designation of the fund as a beneficiary of life insurance policies or of retirement funds, such as an IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or profit-sharing plan.

It is important that all gifts designate the recipient as “White Bear Unitarian Universalist Endowment Fund.”

If you are in the process of making a planned gift, or would like more information about planned giving, please contact the Operations Director at (651) 204-8224.

If you have already decided to make a legacy gift to WBUUC, please let the church know by completing the Letter of Intent form and send it to Endowment Fund, c/o WBUUC 328 Maple Street, Mahtomedi, MN 55115, or via email.

Download the Letter of Intent Form Email Us

Many sincere thanks for your generosity on behalf of WBUUC’s future.

Endowment FAQs

Historically, the Church has raised its funds on an annual basis from pledges made in the annual campaign. At times these funds have been supplemented by capital campaigns for building the sanctuary and making improvements. The Church has grown over the years and requires a permanent reserve fund to produce income that allows for planning flexibility on behalf of long-term goals

It is more important to respond to the Pledge Campaign, since that is what funds our annual Operating Budget which the Board uses to plan for staffing and regular organizational needs. Remember, though, that you can also include the Endowment Fund in your estate plans and make a valuable contribution to the long-term vitality of our church.

Giving in support of the Endowment Fund can take many forms, such as:

  • A tax-deductible gift today of cash, stocks, annuities or other current assets.
  • A direct bequest to the fund in your will or trust documents.
  • Designation of the fund as a beneficiary of life insurance policies or of retirement funds, such as an IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or profit-sharing plan.

Please note: It is important that all gifts designate the recipient as “White Bear Unitarian Universalist Endowment Fund.”

The Church has a Gift Acceptance Policy which provides more specifics about the kinds of gifts that we do or do not accept. For example, if someone wanted to gift real estate to the church, it would need to be sold and converted to cash before the gift would be accepted. Any questions may be directed to the Endowment Committee.

One good reason to support the Church with a current contribution to the Fund is that it will allow you to see the benefit while you can appreciate its meaning. For example, if you intend to leave $10,000 to the Endowment Fund in your will, you could contribute that sum now and shift your bequest to a loved one or other favorite charity. The contribution you make now could grow in value and will provide the Church with income to use every year for the rest of your life and beyond.

The process of giving money to the Endowment is simple and there are reasons to do it now, that may apply to you. For example, many people over 70 receive Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) every year from retirement accounts. These distributions are often several thousand dollars, and you may not need the funds immediately. Donating them to the Endowment will reduce the giver’s taxable income by the same amount.

The fund is maintained under the direction of the Financial Oversight Committee and the Board. It is accounted for in the Annual Budget under Restricted Assets. The funds are invested in long-term mutual funds such as the Schwab Endowment Account and the national Unitarian Universalist Common Endowment Fund.

The Legacy Circle recognizes the group of individuals who have prepared a planned gift to the Endowment Fund, as in a will or beneficiary provision, as well as those who make present-day gifts of cash or other assets to the Fund.

A Letter of Intent to make a planned gift from one’s estate is available on the church website or from the office. You will need to make sure that your Will or Trust documents include WBUUC’s Endowment Fund in them first. Then, just fill out the Letter of Intent and send it to the Church or drop it at the office. Individuals who present a Letter of Intent to make a gift of any size become members of the Legacy Circle.

Estate planning is for everyone. Most people have more wealth than they realize, and modest savings or property can grow in value over time. Most importantly, planning gives you the voice to make your personal wishes known and followed, and to leave a lasting legacy.

Content Revised October 2025