Board of Trustees Discusses Endowment Allocation Category

Prior to the April meeting, Trustees were asked to complete a survey in advance of a Board discussion about the allocation of Endowment funds for Congregational Support. The survey surfaced trustees’ thinking about the degree of appropriateness for activities funded by Congregational Support grants, and what circumstances might be considered when considering a grant or a repeat request for a grant.

The Board discussed types of requests as to whether they were very, somewhat or not appropriate. Types of requests might include:

● learning and personal development opportunities to support member engagement in UCE’s mission related work;

● leadership development opportunities to support UCE governance and social, environmental, and justice work;

● programs specific to youth engagement in UCE’s mission related work and UUism;

● opportunities for member participation in broader UUism;

● programs and opportunities to support member well-being and spiritual and personal growth;

● programs to support maintenance of UCE’s physical assets;

● and programs that support staff or congregant resources needed to sustain activities and programs.

 

Different examples of Congregational Support requests were considered, and the Board provided input on how requests compared in terms of being very appropriate, somewhat appropriate or less appropriate. The discussion surfaced some differences in

interpretations of the Endowment’s Congregational Support allocation. Some trustees expressed an interest in not including requests for predictable and regularly occurring needs such as UUA dues, section leads for the choir, and scholarships for members participating in UU organizations such as MidAmerica Region and UUA general assemblies. While these are important programs, some felt these are better supported through the operating budget. Requests considered very or somewhat appropriate included solidarity circle training; building and grounds enhancements or emergency projects not funded by the operating budget; section leaders for the choir, and for some trustees UUA dues fell into this category as important to fund. There was some discussion regarding how to consider such unusual events as funding an interim minister, or an unusual increase in dues.

One possibility for supporting regular and predictable activities through a Congregational Support grant is for seed money to start a special fund for that activity, e.g., a fund for leadership opportunities to support member participation in broader UUism, or for programs that benefit members, including for youth, and support engagement in UCE’s mission related work. When thinking about criteria for funding Trustees suggested weight be given to how critical the need is and whether the need can be met with volunteer efforts, even if not as well. Repeat funding considerations related to whether funding is needed for the program to stay afloat and whether the need being met is ongoing. Other factors to take into account might be the context of that year’s circumstances and whether funding through the operating budget makes sense.

For a number of years we have been challenged to balance the operating budget expenses with pledge and non-pledge revenue. The UCE leadership is committed to holding a summit this summer to explore how we create financial sustainability for the future. In support of that work the Board of Trustees will continue to hold clarifying discussions that support its work to optimally steward our UCE and Endowment resources.