An enduring act of love and commitment.
LINKING PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE GENERATIONS OF UCG.
What is the Endowment?
The United Church of Gainesville (UCG) Endowment is a perpetual fund created by donations from UCG members and friends for the purpose of serving the mission and ministries of the church. Gifts to the Endowment become part of the Endowment’s principal, which is invested year after year in publicly traded securities that generate interest and dividend income. This income is used to fund projects that advance the church’s mission but lie outside of UGC’s annual operating budget. This process continues in perpetuity since the Endowment’s principal is never invaded.
How old is the Endowment?
The UCG Endowment was established in 1999 using the legacy gift of the late Irene Zimmerman, a devoted church member, and community leader. Since then the Endowment has grown through generous gifts from many people, often in memory of deceased church members.
Why donate to the Endowment?
Each donation to the Endowment is an enduring act of love and commitment that makes a lasting difference at UCG, linking past, present, and future generations of the church.
How do I donate to the UCG Endowment?
You may donate to the UCG Endowment in two basic ways, either as an outright gift now, while you are living, or as a planned (legacy) gift later, after you have died.
Ways to donate to the Endowment:
Outright (current) gifts:
- Direct charitable distribution from a traditional IRA*
- Appreciated property (real estate or publicly traded stocks and bonds)
- Memorial gifts to honor a deceased church member or loved one
- Cash, check, or credit card**
- Planned (legacy) gifts:
- A bequest in a will***
How is the Endowment used?
Each year the earnings from the Endowment, about 5% of the fund balance, support a church mission or project that lies outside of the annual operating budget. Here are some examples:
- Puerto Rico work project travel for United Youth
- Web-based church management software
- Coffee maker system with portable urns
- LED projector for the sanctuary
- Seed money for the Gainesville Peer (mental health) Respite Center
- Makeover of the United Youth room
- The hiring of new associate minister
- Playground equipment and water fountain
- An automatic electroshock defibrillator (AED) for use at the church
- New church signage at the corner of 17th Street & 5th Avenue
- Support for Interfaith Habitat for Humanity House
- Publish best-of-sermons by UCG ministers
- Support UCC “God is Still Speaking” campaign
- Seed money to sponsor visiting lecturer J. Phillip Newell
- Retractable screen for the sanctuary
What are the tax benefits?
Donations to the UCG Endowment may provide tax benefits to the donor or the donor’s estate. As a qualified not-for-profit organization in the State of Florida, the United Church of Gainesville is eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. However, tax implications differ significantly according to the type of donation and the circumstances of the donor or the donor’s estate. Please consult an accountant or tax attorney for detailed information.
Who do I contact about a gift?
Members of the Board of Endowment Management welcome questions regarding potential gifts to the UCG Endowment. Gifts of all sizes are welcome. If you have already composed a planned gift for UCG, you are invited to notify the Board by completing an Endowment Gift Notification**** available on this Website or at the church office. If you wish to make a gift in excess of $100,000 that will be restricted to a specific UCG ministry, please contact the chairperson of the Board of Endowment Management or the senior minister via the church office (below).
United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th Avenue
(352) 378-3500
*Qualified Charitable Distributions from an IRA
**Credit card gifts require UCG to pay a 2.6-4.0% service fee
