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Bequests and Planned Givings

Eden United Church is an active congregation worshipping God in Mississauga, Ontario. Our mission, as followers of Jesus Christ, commits us to:

We REACH to God; REACH OUT to the world; and REACH IN to our local congregation.

Christian Stewardship is expressed by the sharing and faithful management of all the gifts God has given in time, talents, the created world and assets, including accumulated, inherited and appreciated resources. Planned giving is an important way to help our congregation carry out its mission and expand its ministry.

The Eden United Church Planned Gift Giving Program is established for donors who wish to plan their gift commitment. A planned gift may be given for many reasons:

Planned gifts may be made through deferred gifts such as:

Planned gifts may also be made through current gifts such as:

Planned gifts may be either designated gifts or undesignated gifts where:

Purpose of the Planned Gift Giving Program

Planned Giving is simply another way for members and adherents to support the ministry of the church. Many members and adherents have a strong commitment to their faith and to the ministry of Eden United Church. They should be given the opportunity to reflect that commitment in their will or other Planned Gift.

Gifts received through the Program will be retained separate and distinct from all other church funds. It is intended that undesignated gifts received through the Planned Gift Giving Program should be used to expand the ministry and mission outreach of Eden United Church.

What is a Planned Gift?

A Planned Gift is a gift made from accumulated assets rather than regular income. In the United Church, 90 percent of Planned Gifts are gifts made through wills (bequests). Current giving generally comes out of a person's current income while a planned gift comes out of other assets.

The types of Planned Gifts include:

More information on these various types of gifts can be obtained from the Gift Planning section of The United Church of Canada's website: www.united-church.ca.

Allocation of Responsibilities

The Planned Gift Giving Committee shall be responsible for the promotion and management of the Planned Gift Giving Program. The Trustees are the custodians of any gifts received through the Program, and are responsible for investing and administering the gifts. Disbursements of planned Gifts must be approved by a duly constituted meeting of the congregation.

Responsibilities of the Planned Gift Giving Committee

Membership on the Planned Gift Giving Committee shall be determined by the Official Board/Council and confirmed by the congregation. The committee should consist of 3 to 5 members or adherents of Eden United Church. In case of a vacancy on the committee, the Official Board shall appoint a member or adherent to fill the vacancy until the next Annual Congregational meeting. The committee should meet as the need arises. The recommendation is to meet quarterly. A quorum shall consist of 50% of the committee.

They shall:

  1. develop and promote the Planned Gift Giving Program for the congregation;
  2. provide information to interested members and adherents about the Program;
  3. be a resource to members and adherents who wish to make a Planned Gift;
  4. review any restrictions on any proposed Planned Gift to the congregation in accordance with the Gift Acceptance Policy contained in these Operating Guidelines;
  5. recommend to Council/Official Board the use of undesignated gifts by seeking input from all Church committees, and any other interested members and adherents;
  6. acknowledge and celebrate planned gifts with the congregation;
  7. periodically review these Operating Guidelines so that any recommended changes may be presented to the Council / Official Board and then the congregation for approval
  8. provide an annual report at the meeting of the Official Board immediately prior to the Annual Meeting Part II

All communication between individuals and members of the committee is to be held in the strictest confidence. Members of the committee must be careful to avoid all conflicts of interest. The interests of the congregation must be the guiding concern.

Responsibilities of the Trustees

Gifts received through the Program will be maintained separate and distinct from all other church funds. The Trustees hold all property (including without limitation, land, buildings, money, investments, furniture & equipment) of Eden United Church for the use and benefit of the congregation as a part of the United Church of Canada.

Gifts shall be managed in accordance with these Operating Guidelines and in accordance with policies and procedures established by the congregation. "The Congregational Board of Trustees Handbook 2004", or latest revision describes the responsibilities of Trustees with regard to investments, and offers guidelines for Congregational investment policies. This includes the safekeeping and maintenance of all required financial records, including a permanent record of all donations.

There will be an annual review by an independent auditor or review team appointed by the Official Board. At each annual meeting of the congregation, the Trustees will provide a report for the previous year, including financial statements, along with a report of this audit or review.

Receipts

Designated gifts are those where the donor has specified how the gift is to be used. The principal and interest arising from such gifts will be used in accordance with the intentions stated by the donor.

Undesignated gifts are those with no conditions attached to the use of the gift. Both the principal and interest are available for use by the congregation.

Gift Acceptance Policy

The Planned Gift Giving Committee will carefully consider the nature, extent and impact of gifts and any restrictions. The restrictions may be due to the type of gift (e.g. if real estate was given and extensive environmental cleanup required) or may be due to the use that the donor has specified for the gift.

The Committee will seek professional help, if necessary, in determining whether to accept the gift. The Committee might recommend against accepting a gift if, for example, it is specified for a cause or organization that the church does not support, or if the terms and conditions around the gift impose unreasonable demands.

If the Committee decides that a gift should not be accepted, such recommendation must be made within 60 days to the Council/Official Board, which then must decide within 60 days whether to accept the gift. Given the 60-day requirement for accepting gifts, the Council/Official Board may decide to authorize the Executive of the Official Board to take decisions on whether to accept gifts.

Disbursements

One of the main reasons people give gifts to the church is because they believe their gifts will make a difference. People give gifts to help other people. It is intended that undesignated gifts received through the Planned Gift Giving Program should be used to expand the ministry and mission outreach of Eden United Church. Gifts received through the Program will be retained separate and distinct from all other church funds and disbursement of the gifts from the Planned Gift Giving Program must be in accordance with these Operating Guidelines.

Disbursement of undesignated gifts to the Program will be allocated as follows:

  1. ia minimum of 10% donated to the United Church Mission and Service Fund, to support projects of The United Church of Canada at home and overseas; and
  2. a minimum of 10% to Eden's "Mission Tithe", until such time as that debt is repaid.

Deviations for allocation of the resources to meet emerging needs may be approved at a duly constituted congregational meeting. An excess of prudence should not prevent an appropriate response to an emergency or opportunity. The policy must also balance concern for the future (saving) with current ministry projects (spending). The distribution of the remaining percentage of all undesignated gifts received must give consideration to all the ministries of our congregation, keeping in mind our core values and mission. This includes:

  1. "Reaching" to God: enabling members to grow in Christian faith through leadership courses/training/conferences; providing scholarships or grants to members for the purpose of attending theological college; developing aspects of worship (including music).
  2. "Reaching Out" to the world: outreach into the community for programs, institutions and agencies to which this congregation relates (such as The Dam, Eden Food Bank, Eden Daycare, Edenwood Seniors, etc.);
  3. "Reaching In" to support the needs of the Eden congregation: There are two major components of "Reaching In": "Reaching Back" to reduce debt previously incurred by Eden United Church and "Reaching Forward" for Capital improvements and major facilities maintenance.

Disbursements must be approved, first by Council, then by the Official Board and then by a vote of the members and adherents present and voting at an annual meeting of the congregation, or at a special meeting of the congregation.

Amendments

Amendments to these Operating Guidelines or the enabling resolution require a two-thirds vote of the members and adherents present and voting at an annual meeting of the congregation for which notice of intent to amend the Operating Guidelines or resolution has been given, or at a special meeting called for the purpose of amending the Operating Guidelines or enabling resolution.

Periodic Program Review

The planned Gift Giving Program and the Operating Guidelines shall be reviewed biannually, in order that any recommended changes to the Operating Guidelines may be presented at the congregational meeting in each odd calendar year.

Termination

In the event that Eden United Church ceases to exist either through amalgamation or dissolution, disposition or transfer of gifts received through this Program shall be in accordance with the Manual of the United Church of Canada.

Enquiries

Members and adherents interested in learning more about Planned Giving should contact a member of the Planned Gift Giving Committee. Members and adherents may also wish to contact a Gift Planner from the United Church. The name of the United Church's Gift Planner for our area can be obtained by contacting the church office at 905-824-5578. or by contacting the national office of the United Church of Canada.

Anyone wishing to make a Planned Gift to the church is encouraged to seek professional advice (Lawyer, Chartered Accountant, etc.).