SAINT MATTHEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PERPETUAL ENDOWMENT FUND

The Perpetual Endowment Fund was established almost seven years ago to encourage special gifts to the Church, whether during the lifetime of a giver or under his or her Will.  The purpose of the fund is to provide a continuous and reliable source of monies to enable the church to better meet the needs of the community and undertake projects outside the annual operating budget.

Progress to date
Since its inception, more than $52,000 has been gifted to the Fund from many current and past members of the church.  The trustees have invested these contributions in the New Covenant Balanced Income Fund, a mutual fund managed by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) Foundation.  Capital appreciation has increased this gifted amount to over $$55,000.  The dividends and interest earned by the fund are disbursed each year in ways that will "faithfully enhance the life and work of the Church" for benevolence programs or for special needs within the Church and the greater community. 

In 2006, the income was distributed and used for youth scholarships enabling several of our youths to participate in camps and trips sponsored by te Church, to restock the winter food pantry on the Spirit Lake Nation rreservation in North Dakota and provide nursing educational assistance to two of our members.

The earnings during 2007 totaled $1,580.  $200 will be used to restock the food pantry on the Spirit Lake Nation reservation, $300 to the St. Matthew Youth Scholarship Fund and $1,080 for the Educational Assistance Program.

How you can help
There are various ways to help the Endowment Fund grow in addition to outright lifetime gifts and bequests under a Will.  For example, one of our members bought a gift annuity from the Presbyterian Foundation, which provided a charitable income tax deduction and will pay the member a fixed amount for life, similar to a pension.  Whatever amount is left over will be paid to the Endowment Fund.  Thus, the giver wins and the Endowment Fund wins. 

Members and friends are urged to continue support of the Perpetual Endowment Fund.  For more information on how you can contribute, please contact one of our Trustees, either by sending a message via our web site's Guest Book , or by calling  the church office, 301-598-4400.