Endowment Committee
Current Membership for 2022-23
Bill Farley, Chair
Marilyn Angelo
Carol Finch
Barb Nordstrom
Ed Ware (Finance Rep.)
Ferd Haverly (Board Rep.)
Rev. Douglas Taylor (ex-officio)
Mission and Purpose
The Endowment Committee of UUCB is charged with the stewardship of the congregation’s Endowment. It is responsible for the raising, administration and disbursement of Endowment funds. The Endowment supports the long-term stability of the congregation, and assists community projects and organizations that are consistent with its mission and principles.
Governance
Committee members are elected by the Congregation, and meet periodically to oversee endowment fund-raising activities and investments, and to make decisions on grant applications. Members of the Congregation interested in serving on the committee should make their interest known to the chairperson of the Endowment Committee and/or the Leader Development and Resources Committee.
Endowment Committee Grants
UUCB’s Endowment Committee is responsible for granting funds for projects in five broad categories: capital improvements to congregational property, community outreach programs, education, wider missions (for example the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee), and other charitable purposes. Previous grants have supported projects such as the beautification of our gardens, facilitation of a series of Self-Empowerment for Women workshops, and the completion of a new building for Planned Parenthood.
The grant application process is simple. Any member or friend of the Congregation may complete an application form, available in the Church Office or downloadable here, on behalf of a cause that fits with the criteria mentioned above. Online applications should be directed to endowment@uubinghamton.org; paper applications should be mailed to the church or placed in the Endowment Committee’s folder in the church office.
The deadline for applications is October 31, 2022. Grant award decisions will be made and the associated funds will be available by January 1, 2023.
Susquehanna Society
The Susquehanna Society was founded by the Endowment Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Binghamton to recognize people who have contributed to its Endowment or who have expressed a formal commitment to do so. Just as the Susquehanna River flows on timelessly, so does our Endowment continue to serve our congregation forever. Contributors to the Endowment make a timeless commitment to our congregation and the liberal religious tradition upon which it is based. A plaque honoring members is on display in the main hallway of UUCB.
Gifts are invested in the Unitarian Universalist Common Endowment Fund, which ensures that our investments are in line with our values, and investment income from the Endowment is used annually to provide grants suggested by the congregation. Persons become members of the Susquehanna Society by informing the UUCB minister, Board of Trustees President or an Endowment Committee member that they have made plans for a gift or bequest to UUCB. The nature or the amount of the gift/bequest need not be disclosed.
Here are the most recent Susquehanna Society invitation letter and brochure.