At the recent Asking Budget meeting the congregation approved withdrawing $32,500 from the Endowment Fund to support the 2024-2025 budget. That vote only serves to help balance one
year’s budget.

The Endowment Fund exists “to provide a long-term base for church growth and improvement.” That opens the question of how many ways the fund can be used to support the congregation’s goals. Last year, Robin Gray and Rev. Holly hosted a series of meetings seeking to establish a formal policy for using Endowment Funds. Working from the core of the Eighth Principle which calls us to dismantle racism and other oppressions, we began to build a vision. Discussants wanted to cap the amount drawn from the Endowment Fund at a level that could protect it for the future. Within that cap, they wanted to divide the money three ways between the Annual Budget, Capital Improvement projects, and Social Justice projects. A trial proposal was offered for discussion, but the proposal did not go to a formal vote.

This year, an Endowment Use Team is working on a proposal to be voted on at the Annual Meeting in May. Marty Beech, Maggie Bowden, Lee Chipps Walton, Len Martin, and Robin Gray bring diverse interests and experience to the team. They are drafting a proposal that will balance potential growth with the effects of inflation, and preserve the endowment well into the future. In addition, the proposal will confirm dividing the withdrawals between the Annual Budget, Capital Improvement, and Social Justice projects.

You are invited to discuss the evolving Endowment Use Plan on Saturday, April 6 at 10:00 AM, or Sunday, April 28th at 12:30 PM. Child care will be available for both meetings, as will remote participation via Zoom. The team will distribute information about the current iterations of the plan in advance of the April meetings. For more information contact Robin at robingray021@gmail.com.