Endowments: The Answer to Church Sustainability
Endowments play a crucial role in securing the long-term financial stability of Catholic
institutions. These funds provide a steady income stream that supports the Church's mission,
ensuring its sustainability for future generations. Establishing and growing endowments requires
careful planning, education, and spiritual commitment.
The Basics of Endowments:
- What is an endowment?
An endowment is a fund of gifted assets that are invested to provide long-term support
for a parish, school, or other ministry in perpetuity. - How do endowments work?
Endowments are created when people gift assets to the Catholic Foundation. Then those
gifted assets are invested, and the returns of those investment returns are used to support
the endowment’s purpose. A portion of the fund is made available annually, while the
remaining assets are retained to grow over time. - Who manages endowments?
Partnering with the Catholic Foundation of Arlington will help ensure a Catholic
endowment is invested using socially responsible investments while maximizing growth
over time. - What are endowments used for?
Endowments are like a security blanket, ensuring nonprofits always have a source of funds to fulfill their mission like:
• Scholarships: endowments can be used for financial need-based scholarships.
• Staff Positions: endowments can be used to provide ongoing support for staff to
ensure a parish or school thrives over time. ie. Saint Gertrude Principal Endowment
• Diocesan Programs: endowments can be used to support a particular program or
activity in the long term. ie. San Damiano Retreat Center Endowment
• Ministry: endowments can be used to fund general or specific parish ministries
overtime. ie. Saint Mary’s Youth Ministry Endowment
• Operations: endowments can be used to fund the ongoing day-to-day operations of a
church, school or ministry. ie. Saint Leo Parish Endowment
The Spiritual Dimension of Endowments
Beyond their financial and operational benefits, endowments hold a profound spiritual
significance. They represent a commitment to the future, ensuring that the Church's mission can
continue to thrive.
As Pope Benedict XVI remarked, "The world promises you comfort, but you were not made for
comfort. You were made for greatness." Endowments empower Catholics to contribute to
something greater than themselves, building a legacy that reflects their faith and values. Through
endowments, donors can ensure that their faith continues to inspire and support future
generations.
Stewardship as a Form of Worship
Endowments embody the concept of stewardship, a central principle in Catholic teaching.
Stewardship involves using God's gifts responsibly for the benefit of others. By establishing and
contributing to endowments, Catholics engage in a form of worship that honors God's blessings
and ensures their continuation for future generations. This act of giving is not just a financial
contribution but a spiritual one, reflecting a commitment to the Church's mission and the wellbeing of its community.
Legacy of Faith
Endowments create a lasting legacy of faith. They allow donors to support causes they or their
loved ones are passionate about, leaving a permanent mark on the institutions they care about.
Did you recently inherit a gift from your mother who loved the church? Would you like her
legacy to live on forever through an endowment established in her name?
As Pope Saint John Paul II once said, "The future starts today, not tomorrow."
Endowments allow Catholic institutions to plan for the future with confidence, knowing they
have the resources to serve God and humanity.
The spiritual dimensions of endowments remind us that this work is not just about financial
security but about honor God’s Gifts and creating a legacy of faith for the future. If you would
like to establish an endowment in your name or a loved one, Contact the Catholic Foundation of
Arlington team at 703-778-8600 or [email protected].
