UUCT Endowment – Spring 2026 Update

The endowment works quietly in the background of congregational life, but it deserves a moment in the light. Here is a brief update for those who tend to this ministry and for those considering becoming a part of it.

Performance Through the first half of 2026, the portfolio continues to perform well. Over the trailing ten years, the endowment has achieved a 11.8% average annual rate of return — strong, consistent growth that reflects both favorable markets and the discipline of low-cost, ESG-oriented investing through Vanguard funds that align with our Unitarian Universalist values.

What It Does Each year, a modest distribution from the endowment flows into church operations, helping sustain our programs and reduce the burden on annual pledges, particularly important in uncertain years. The endowment does not replace congregational giving; it deepens our resilience.

How It Grows The endowment grows primarily through bequests — gifts from members who choose to include UUCT in their wills or trusts. This is perhaps the most consequential gift a member can give: not a single act of generosity, but an ongoing commitment to the community you loved in life.

If you have already included UUCT in your estate plans, please let us know. We would be honored to welcome you into our legacy circle. If you have not yet considered it, we invite you to. A conversation with an estate attorney about even a small percentage of your estate could mean decades of ministry for those who follow us.

Questions? Reach the Endowment Committee at Lee Chipps-Walton at endowment@uutallahassee.org.