Question 1

What is a Named Endowment Fund at Siebert?

Accepted Answer

An endowment is based on an initial gift that provides annual income earnings generated by the investment of the principal. With an endowment fund, your gift is invested with other gifts to maximize its value. Annual amounts are distributed to one of the giving priorities at Siebert that you have designated, while the fund principal remains to provide support in perpetuity.

When you create a Named Endowed Fund with Siebert Lutheran Foundation, you establish a permanent fund in your name, your family’s name, or in the name of someone you wish to honor or remember.

Question 2

How can I designate endowment funds?

Accepted Answer

Donors have several choices for allocating their gifts:

Growing the Body of Christ (Please choose judicatory and funding priority) 
1. Choose judicatory
ELCA
LCMS 
WELS

2. Choose funding priority: 
Investing in church and lay leaders through seminary and continuing education.  
Encouraging next generation ministries and young leaders. 
Catalyzing innovation, new models, and mission start-ups.

Educating while Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ 
Educating while Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ (General)
Early childhood, K-12, student and family support services, preparing Christian urban teachers. 
Higher education and prep for college, careers and jobs.  
 
Serving as the Hands and Feet of Christ 
Serving as the Hands and Feet of Christ (General) 
Urban neighborhood outreach and revitalization including Lutheran site-based food ministries, housing, and health and wellness ministries, including addiction treatment.  
After-school and summer programs based at Lutheran congregations and agencies, which serve youth in communities to provide hope, spiritual renewal, and wellness. 
Adult learning opportunities, prison and reentry ministries, jobs, entrepreneurship and economic development.

Note: Donors may not allocate their gift to a specific grantee partner(s).

Question 3

When will my Named Endowment Fund start being used?

Accepted Answer

To preserve the integrity of the Fund as a quasi-endowment, no distributions will be made from the Fund during the 12 months immediately following the creation of the Fund.

Question 4

How will I know my gift is having an impact?

Accepted Answer

Each year, a tailored annual report to donors will provide information including fund totals and any distributions that have been made. Donors will also have access to Siebert Lutheran Foundation’s annual audited financial statement. This report is a complete picture of the organization, its operations, and the outcomes that endowment income (in addition to other funds) makes possible. In addition, Siebert publishes an annual Community Impact Report to showcase the work of its grantee partners.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Named Endowment Fund at Siebert?

How can I designate endowment funds?

When will my Named Endowment Fund start being used?

How will I know my gift is having an impact?

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