The Endowment Fund

Establishment, Mission and Purpose

The Kirk O' The Valley Endowment Fund was established on November 20, 2001 with a resolution approved by the Session. It is invested with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation. It was established to provide members and friends of the Kirk with an opportunity to extend their stewardship beyond a lifetime, and to fund the mission of the Kirk for future generations.

Giving

• Endowment Sunday

On the first Sunday of every month, members are encouraged to put cash or checks into the Endowment Jar equal to the date of the Sunday. If a Sunday is missed, members can put it in the following Sunday. For example, the suggested donations for 2007 are September $2, October $7, November $4, December $2, and in 2008, January $6, February $3, March $2, and April $6. This should continue monthly.

• Milestones Endowment Giving

If you have a birthday, anniversary, birth or death in the family, or a special event such as graduations, retirement, etc., you can give special gifts to commemorate those special times. Giving $1 per year per event, such as $25 for a 25 th birthday, gives the donor the opportunity to become part of the endowment of the Kirk. Suggesting donations to the fund, instead of receiving gifts from friends and family, is a special way to say how much the Kirk means to you and your family. Of course, any amount of donation per event is appropriate.

• eBay donations

Any items you want to sell on eBay can be brought to the Kirk. They will then be taken to the store "ChatsworthOnlineSales" in Chatsworth to be sold. If you take the items in directly, the address is 9517 Irondale, (just North of Plummer) Chatsworth, CA 91311
Phone: 818-701-0789. Don't forget to inform them that it is for the Kirk.They handle the selling and the Kirk gets a percentage of the money that is received after selling. The donor will receive an official contribution receipt for a tax write-off.

• Amount to give

Any amount from $1 to "the sky's the limit" is welcome in the Endowment Fund. It is hoped that every member of the Kirk will become a part of this Endowment, although it is strictly voluntary.

Acceptance of Gifts

In addition to cash gifts, the Endowment Fund will accept stocks and marketable securities that are listed on a major exchange and these shall be sold as soon as possible. All gifts will be converted to cash unless otherwise agreed to with the donor. Real and personal property will be accepted only after a determination is made by Session that accepting the gift will not result in any risk to the Kirk. The Session has the right to refuse any gift it considers inappropriate.

Benefits of the Income

The Endowment policy states: "Income for use by the Kirk each year shall be defined as a percentage of the total value of the fund on the previous December 31 provided the initial gift principal is not invaded. . . . . . . The purpose is to make money available for special programs of the Church, the School, and major capital projects outside the Kirk’s normal operating budgets."

In January 2007, the income received from the Endowment Fund was used to redesign and replant the Meditation Garden off the narthex in the church. A new bench was added, as were plants and annual flowers. During nice weather, members can stroll or sit in the garden.

In January 2008, the income received was used to purchase three sets of tables and chairs. They are metal with stone table tops and mesh chair coverings. They are placed in the patio area and will provide comfortable seating when the patio is in use after the church service and during any evening events. The Kirk School is able to use them for meetings and other gatherings during the day.

Reality

It has become obvious that this mission is daily becoming a reality. The "Fund for Our Future" will secure a church for our children and others that come along.
There is no greater way to state your beliefs in the work of our church.

The purpose is to make money available for special programs of the Church, the School, and major capital projects outside the Kirk's normal operating budgets. The income from the fund shall not be used to support day-to-day operating expenses of the Kirk Church.   The designated income for the Kirk School from the fund may be used to support day-to-day operating expenses for the Kirk School.