THE ROLE OF YOUR ENDOWMENT COMMITTEETHE ROLE OF YOUR ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE

Organizations run their endowment funds in many ways. This is true for endowments that are managed locally and for funds that are established at the Foundation. That's because an endowment fund must always reflect the plans and desires of its donors and the organization it benefits. However, it is possible to make some generalizations about the roles and responsibilities of the local committee, and those of the Foundation.

The Role of the Organization's Endowment Committee

  • Define the Committee's relationship to the governing structure of the congregation/institution.
  • Define the purpose(s) of the endowment fund; communicate those purposes to the organization's donors and volunteers.
  • Plan and carry out activities that create visibility for the fund.
  • Accumulate small cash gifts and transmit them collectively to the Foundation.
  • Consider and make decisions about special purpose gifts.
  • Plan for spending/giving away distributions from the endowment fund.
  • Plan and carry out fundraising activities for memorial gifts, bequests and major lifetime gifts

The Foundation's Role

  • Accept gifts to the fund (all gifts must meet Foundation minimums).
  • Prepare transfer papers for gifts of securities and provide instructions to donors.
  • Evaluate real estate properties offered as gifts, consult with local advisors, assist with transfer documentation, list property for sale, evaluate buyers, close sale.
  • Invest gifts according to Foundation investment policy.
  • Make quarterly reports to the Fund Advisor on the value of the fund.
  • Offer assistance to the Endowment Committee by providing a video, sample newsletter articles/bulletin inserts and a customized brochure format for use in promoting the fund. The Foundation can also provide resource referrals, telephone consultation to committee members, fundraising ideas, visibility ideas, and information on other charitable organizations and causes.
  • Provide consultation to donors and their advisors about charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts and other more complex gifts.