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An endowment is an investment fund managed
by professionals in which a portion of the interest
earned (its growth) can be used to support AGAPE’s programs. AGAPE’s endowment policies
provide protection against the principal being
touched or reduced.
The goal is to manage the endowment fund so
that it provides support to the agency and grows
in size at the same time, especially as additional
donations are made over the years.
A Different Kind of Giving
Giving to our endowment is a different kind of giving than giving to support our
annual fund drive. Although it can provide current support to AGAPE, the primary
focus is on the long term benefits.
 An Endowment for AGAPE will:
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Support current programs and enable AGAPE to consider expanding
into new program areas.
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Reduce the level of dependency on state funding to support our
programs.
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Serve as a safety net to protect the agency if there is a serious crisis
with traditional funding sources.
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Ensures that AGAPE will continue operating for generations to
come by providing the foundation securing the long term financial
health of the agency.
Ways to Give
In building an endowment, the challenge is to have the necessary funds to
operate our programs for our present needs while also growing our endowment for our long term needs. As AGAPE exists to provide services, finding the right balance is
left up to our Board of Directors who see the big picture of the agency.
Contributed funds to AGAPE can be placed in our endowment by two primary means: (1) donor directed and designated; and (2) Board directed and designated.
When AGAPE receives gifts from wills and estates, it is appealing to place them
in our endowment. From time-to-time, AGAPE may have a "build our endowment
drive" similar to our recent “Endowment Campaign” which was inspired by an offer of a substantial matching gift.
Planned gifts are
another way many organizations grow their
endowment. AGAPE will be establishing a planned
giving program in the future to encourage and
manage this type of giving.
There’s No Better
Time Than the Present
As a mature agency,
it is time to begin in earnest to build AGAPE’s
endowment. Giving to our endowment is a
tremendous way for donors to leave a lasting
legacy of compassion. All donations will benefit
those in need now and for years to come after we
are all gone. |
