Ensuring the long term vitality of our ministries

Supporting St. Mark’s long term success… Strengthening our faith community… Taking our ministries to the next level… Reaching new members through expanded ministry… These are just some of the reasons behind the St. Mark Lutheran Foundation.

The Foundation

In 1992, St. Mark established an endowment fund to enhance the mission of our church. That led to the 2010 creation of the St. Mark Lutheran Foundation. The purpose of the foundation is to ensure the vitality of St. Mark through both endowed and non-endowed funds that will support special ministry needs beyond the annual budget. These needs may include:

• Scholarships for sending our congregation’s youth to college and Bible camp
• Activity programs for our senior members
• Unanticipated capital improvement needs
• Equipment needs for the music, missions or disaster relief programs
• And many, many others

Ways of Giving

There are a variety of ways you can give to the foundation. You may elect to do a “gift of today,” such as cash gifts, stocks, property, memorials for a lost loved one, or in celebration or recognition of a wedding, graduation or other special event.

You may also give a “gift of tomorrow,” of such things as trusts, annuities, life insurance policies, or a bequest in your will.

As a first step in the process, you are invited to complete our Interest Form (in .pdf format) or if you’re further along, you may completed our Commitment Form (in .pdf format). In virtually all charitable contributions there are tax advantages to be considered. Your attorney, accountant, or financial adviser can assist you in selecting the best way for you to make a gift.

Many churches encourage members to allocate five to ten percent of their annual giving to an endowment at the foundation to ensure the church’s long term vitality; however, any amount is welcome.

Two Foundation Funds

Giving to the foundation can be done easily via two funds:

St. Mark Endowment Fund – The basic idea behind an endowment fund is that the money given is invested, and the interest generated can be used for various church needs, including future needs that cannot be anticipated at the time a contribution is made. Up to five percent of the endowed fund may be spent each year.

Discipleship in Action Fund – This fund is non-endowed, giving the church maximum flexibility to determine its use to meet immediate church needs.

Special Designations

In giving to the Discipleship in Action Fund, you may request a designated use for your gift noting a specific purpose, or give an undesignated gift. Designated contributions might include requests for funds to be used toward: Missions, Facilities, College Scholarships, Camp Scholarships, Music Program, Children/Youth, and Senior Program. Designated giving is welcome (pending Foundation Committee acceptance), but undesignated gifts are especially helpful in meeting immediate, and often unexpected, needs.

Distribution of Funds

Distribution of the Foundation’s funds is overseen by the St. Mark Foundation Committee. Below is a list of the committee members that you may e-mail for more information:

• Sarah Buckley
• Angela Dethlefs-Trettin
• Pastor Michael Foss
• Ron Peterson
• Rachel Stauffer
• Susie Rissman
• Brian Worth

Thank You

Many thanks for your prayerful consideration of a gift to the St. Mark Lutheran Foundation. Together through our long-term giving, we can further our mission to “Grow in Faith, Share Jesus Christ, and Serve Others.”