Endowment

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CROSS WINDS ENDOWMENT MINISTRY FUND

Christians give to the life and mission of the church out of a loving response for what God has given us. The Endowment Ministry Fund provides a way for members and friends of Cross Winds to leave a legacy that will live on past their lifetimes. Through this Fund, the Church is able to carry on God’s work, reaching beyond the limitations of the annual budget. Consider giving a gift today to the Cross Winds Endowment Fund as one way of furthering your lifetime commitment and stewardship to the church’s mission and ministries in the future. The Endowment Ministry Fund is a permanently restricted, self-sustaining source of funding. Earnings are paid out annually according to the church's wishes. Donations such as cash, checks, or stock options and other types of gifts may be given.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cross Winds Endowment Fund?

The Cross Winds Endowment Ministry Fund is a permanently restricted, self-sustaining source of funding. An endowment fund pools contributions from its donors and invests those contributions so that they will grow. The portfolio is managed professionally, and then a portion of the investment fund is withdrawn each year and used for purposes designated by the church. As such, donations made today are truly lasting gifts, which will continue to support our church for many years into the future.

How is a gift to the Endowment Ministry Fund different than my annual giving?

While your current gifts to the church go to the annual operating budget and to ongoing missions, a gift to the Endowment Ministry Fund is invested with the objective of protecting and growing the principal. The annual earnings are able to provide gifts to be used by the church. In this way, your gift becomes a perpetual gift which goes on giving into the future.

How do I know that my contributions provide for the future?

Contributions to the Endowment Ministry Fund are managed conservatively, with the objective of growing the fund’s principle to keep pace with inflation. Each year a percentage of the Fund is made available for the work of the Church. In this way your contributions will live on providing for the continual work of Cross Winds.

How is the Endowment Fund invested?

We have chosen to invest the portfolio through the MN United Methodist Foundation, which has a long successful track record in managing endowment assets for hundreds of United Methodist churches. In addition to good performance, they invest in keeping with the social principles of the United Methodist Church.

What is the minimum donation?

There is no minimum donation to our general endowment fund.

May I donate something other than cash or investments?

We are appreciative of all gifts, as we know they come from grateful hearts. Some gifts may be very illiquid or costly to manage. In such cases, the Endowment Team will make the final determination regarding whether to accept any individual gift. If you are contemplating such a gift, please speak with the pastor or to a member of the Endowment Team so that we may understand the circumstances and make a decision that will be best for all.

Ways to Give

There are many ways you can choose how you want to make your gift. The Endowment fund is ready to receive gifts of cash, stock, or bonds, or as a beneficiary in a life insurance policy, 401K, or IRA. Endowment gifts can be given in honor or memory of family, friends, or special occasions.

Cash or Check

Cash may be given at any time to the fund. Cash gifts may be given when a donor has received a financial blessing and wishes to share that with the church. Others have given in memory of friends or family. Please indicate Endowment Fund with the gift.

Electronic Giving - Online or Text

You can use our secure online system for debit card or credit card contributions.

Stock or Mutual Funds

Stocks or mutual funds shares that have appreciated can be transferred to the church. You receive an income tax deduction for the full fair market value. You will not pay capital gains tax.

Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)

You can make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA or other tax-deferred retirement plan and have it count toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) for a particular tax year. This is a tax-efficient way to give to a charity like the Cross Winds Endowment Ministry Fund, reduce your current tax liability and also lower your future taxes by reducing the size of your IRA or other tax-deferred retirement plan assets

Real Estate

Real estate may be given. The donor will receive a deduction for its appraised value. Capital gains tax will be avoided.

Last Will and Testament Giving

Last will and testament giving can be a final act of stewardship in which a portion of an estate is designated to support the work of the church.

Life Insurance Policies

Life insurance policies, annuity contracts and retirement plans (pension, 401K, IRAs) pay out future funds in accordance with beneficiary designations. You can name the church as the primary beneficiary or as the contingent beneficiary (in the event that your individual beneficiaries do not survive to the time of distribution). These gifts are free of estate tax.

Charitable Remainder Trusts

Charitable Remainder Trusts provide a fixed annuity for the life of the donor. Upon the death of the donor, the balance remaining in the trust will be transferred to the Endowment Fund.

Life Estate Contracts

Life estate contracts allow the donor to deed a personal residence to the Endowment Fund. The donor retains the right and full benefit of living in the property until completely transferred to the Fund.

Learn More

Find out more about the Endowment Fund.