The Endowment Fund of the Unitarian Church
Established in 1986, the Endowment Fund is a vehicle for members to make contributions to the church as a legacy for future generations. The fund is a source of support for special initiatives that further the mission and work of UCE. Like the roots that nourish and stabilize a tree, Endowment dollars strengthen our community and promote its health and vitality.
If you would like information about including UCE in your estate plans, you already have and you’d like information about the Nellie Brough Society, or you have general inquiries, please e-mail us at endowment@ucevanston.org.
ABOUT THE ENDOWMENT
It is a church fund that is segregated from other church monies, is separately managed and is governed by the UCE Endowment Fund Agreement. It is a vehicle for those who would like to make an enduring gift of any size to the church.
Its purpose is to provide a strong and lasting financial foundation that will nourish the church, its religious life and programs, and maintain it as a vital place in the community.
Endowment Trustees, who are elected by the congregation, administer the fund and approve expenditures jointly with the Board of Trustees in accordance with the Endowment Agreement. A maximum of 5% of the Fund may be spent per year. The intent is to use Fund income for project expenditures while the Fund increases in value through investment growth and new gifts. All gifts are acknowledged personally by the committee. The Nellie Brough Society recognizes those who have made enduring contributions to the Endowment Fund to ensure the future of the church.
The Endowment Agreement outlines that funds can only be used by the Unitarian Church of Evanston for one or more of the following purposes: supporting special church projects not anticipated in or provided for by the operating budget; supporting the communities in which UCE resides and operates including spiritual, educational and economic needs; enhancing, repairing, supplementing or improving UCE’s building and property, including both real and personal property; scholarships and grants to UCE members and staff for education and training; and supporting the wider mission of Unitarian Universalism.
The total annual Endowment Fund distribution is divided into three categories with set percentages, as agreed to by the Board of Trustees and the Endowment Committee. The three categories are:
- Congregational Support: Approximately 35%, provides funding to UCE for special projects, care of the building and property, and education and training.
- Community Partners: Approximately 25%, provides annual general operating grants up to $3,000 per nonprofit organization. These organizations have an established long-term relationship with UCE volunteers and the congregation. The objective is to build or deepen our relationships with the broader community in line with the UCE mission.
- Community Projects: Approximately 40%, provide restricted funding for nonprofit organizations’ programs and ventures that support the wider mission of Unitarian Universalism. These grants can be larger than Community Partner grants.
The value of the Endowment Fund as of September 2024 was approximately $1.8 million. The value varies based on financial markets, new contributions and withdrawals. The Fund is primarily invested in a balanced portfolio of equity and bond funds. We also have a portion of our fund in the UUA Common Endowment Fund which is active in socially responsible investment in line with our values.
GRANT APPLICATION FORMS
Endowment Grant Deadlines
There is one application cycle left for the $4,000 remaining in Community Projects funding for fiscal year 2024-2025: January 31, 2025. We welcome grant applications!
Endowment Grant Application Deadlines
Fiscal Year 2025-2026
UCE and its Endowment Fund operate on a fiscal year of July 1-June 30
2025-2026 Fiscal Year1 | |
Congregational Support | January 31, 2025 |
Community Projects | May 31, 2025; Oct 31, 20252; Jan 31, 20262 |
Community Partners | January 31, 2025 |
¹funds will be made available beginning July 2025
²to the extent funds are still available
TRUSTEES & GOVERNANCE
Endowment Trustees & Committee
Endowment Fund Trustees and Term Expirations
In the 2024-25 fiscal year, the Endowment Committee expanded from three to five Trustees and added three new members. Terms are three years; however, to ensure that all Trustees do not step down at the same time, we initially shortened some terms to one or two years in order to stagger turnover.
- Bob Seyfried (2026)
- Jean Butzen (2025)
- Shirley Adams (2025)
- Lisa Solomon (2026)
- Alexa Bezjian-Avery (2027)
Endowment Committee Volunteers (fiscal year 2025)
- Jane Hampson
- Susan Comstock
- Topher Carrington
- Gleycy Lavanholi
- Melanie Kitchner (Board of Trustee Representative)
Governance
The Endowment Committee has two types of governing members. The first is the elected Trustees, between three-to-five people, who vote on all Endowment matters, manage the funds and the investment decisions, meet with donors and prospective donors, decide if requests meet the fund guidelines, remain accountable to the Board of Trustees and report to the Integrated Stewardship Committee, prepare and lead meetings including reports to the congregation, and represent the Endowment Committee to the congregation. For a detailed list of responsibilities, see the Trustee Job Description.
The second governing members are the un-elected committee volunteers who serve year-to-year, assist with committee duties, and provide input on decisions. The Endowment Committee has three subcommittees: Administration & Finance, Grants, Fundraising & Communications. The Endowment Committee operates under the charitable designation of UCE and its bylaws, reports monthly to the Board of Trustees which makes all final decisions regarding grants and key Endowment Fund matters.
DONATE
Contributing to the Endowment Fund
Contributors have numerous options to provide support to the UCE Endowment Fund. Here are three of the many ways you can contribute:
- Gifts in Gratitude: When you wish to recognize someone who has made a special contribution in your life or to the community, you can make a donation in their name using the endowment envelopes provided.
- Memorial Gifts: When a friend or loved one passes away, memorial gifts can be made to honor the person’s life. Envelopes are provided at all memorial services.
- Legacy Sunday/1st Sunday after Halloween: On this day, UCE holds its annual Legacy Sunday celebration to honor those we have lost and discuss the impact of the Endowment Fund during the past year. Celebrate your birthday, a special accomplishment of a loved one, or make a gift in gratitude for a loved one who has passed, during this service.
Also, you will find more information on making a legacy gift by reading about the Nellie Brough Society.
To make a bequest or gift to the Endowment Fund, please call the Unitarian Church of Evanston and ask to speak with an Endowment Fund Trustee: 847-864-1330. You can also contact the Endowment Trustees directly by emailing: endowment@ucevanston.org. Gifts can be mailed to: The Unitarian Church of Evanston Endowment Fund, 1330 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60201. To ensure your gift is deposited properly, be sure to indicate that it is for the Endowment Fund.
Creating a legacy
UCE members who have informed the Endowment Committee that that they have put the Endowment Fund in their estate or will, and/or who have made a gift of $5,000 or more to the Nellie Brough Fund, can join the Nellie Brough Society. Donations to the Endowment Fund help ensure that the legacy of our Unitarian Universalist values live on and that the work of the fund continues to serve our church and community. No matter the size of your estate, you can make the UCE Endowment Fund part of your legacy. To become a member of the Nellie Brough Society, contact an Endowment Trustee or the UCE office.
To make a bequest or gift to the Endowment Fund, please call the Unitarian Church of Evanston and ask to speak with an Endowment Fund Trustee: 847-864-1330. You can also contact the Endowment Trustees directly by emailing: endowment@ucevanston.org. Gifts can be mailed to: The Unitarian Church of Evanston Endowment Fund, 1330 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60201. To ensure your gift is deposited properly, be sure to indicate that it is for the Endowment Fund.
Contributing to the Endowment Fund
There are many ways to contribute to the Endowment Fund, including the following opportunities.
- Gifts of Cash: Most people make cash gifts to the Endowment Fund, which are tax-deductible in the same manner as all donations to UCE.
- Gifts of Appreciated Property: Non-cash assets such as securities and real estate are also suitable gifts to the Endowment Fund and can allow the donor to avoid capital gains taxes while providing a deduction at the appreciated value.
- Will or Trust: Bequests, something given or left by will, are an important way to ensure that the mission of UCE continues beyond each person’s lifespan. A bequest can be made in any amount, and the wording of the bequest can be flexible to reflect your circumstances.
If you have other types of assets you wish to donate, please speak with an Endowment Trustee.
To make a bequest or gift to the Endowment Fund, please call the Unitarian Church of Evanston and ask to speak with an Endowment Fund Trustee: 847-864-1330. You can also contact the Endowment Trustees directly by emailing: endowment@ucevanston.org. Gifts can be mailed to: The Unitarian Church of Evanston Endowment Fund, 1330 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60201. To ensure your gift is deposited properly, be sure to indicate that it is for the Endowment Fund.
Recent Grants
COMMUNITY PROJECTS GRANTS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2023-24 & 2024-25 | |||
NONPROFIT/UCE PARTNER | GRANT | PURPOSE | FISCAL YEAR |
Immigrant Solidarity Team | $765 | Reimburse child-care expenses for immigrant family sponsored by UCE | 2024 |
Immigrant Solidarity Team | $8,615 | Reimburse child-care expenses for immigrant family sponsored by UCE | 2024 |
Immigrant Solidarity Team | $8,250 | Rent, childcare expense, and an unrestricted grant for an immigrant family sponsored by UCE | 2025 |
Food & Shelter Team/Soup Kitchen | $1,575 | Food and material expenses for soup kitchens | 2024 |
Food & Shelter Team/Soup Kitchen | $982 | Lunch materials to provide 3 soup kitchen lunches during FY 2025 | 2025 |
Food and Shelter Team/Connections for the Homeless | $15,400 | Health kiosks for medical screening for unhoused people at three Connections for the Homeless | 2025 |
Food and Shelter Team/Second Baptist | $3,150 | Partially fund the cost of lunches served at 2nd Baptist Church through the December 2024 | 2024 |
Prison Ministries Advisory Council | $2,000 | Advisory Council member costs to attend 4 meetings per year | 2024 |
Evanston Pro-Choice Rally | $1,500 | Evanston Pro-Choice Rally expenses for 2023 | 2024 |
Evanston Pro-Choice Rally | $1,500 | Evanston Pro-Choice Rally expenses for Fall 2024 | 2025 |
REAL Team/Second Baptist: YoFresh Ice Cream Social | $1,328 | The costs for ice cream sundaes, balloon artist, materials for games and ice breakers, joint event for UCE and 2nd Baptist | 2024 |
Evanston Interfaith Clergy & Leaders | $2,000 | Education session on history of Israel-Palestine Conflict | 2024 |
Chicago Abortion Fund | $3,000 | Support for local non-profit which provides funding for abortion access | 2025 |
CONGREGATIONAL SUPPORT GRANTS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024 & 2025 | |||
TEAM | GRANT | PURPOSE | FISCAL YEAR |
UCE Garden Team | $1,174 | Garden tools and materials | 2024 |
UCE Garden Team | $600 | Garden materials | 2024 |
UCE Garden Team | $1,400 | East side rain garden watering system | 2025 |
Buildings and Grounds | $15,000 | Repairs and improvements to UCE facilities | 2024 |
Choir | $4,500 | Section leads | 2024 |
Leadership Grants, General Assembly | $550 | Two individuals to attend GA virtually in June 2024 | 2024 |
Website Refresh | $5,112 | Payment to Adam Gough to implement refresh | 2024 |
Buildings and Grounds | $15,000 | Repairs and improvements to UCE facilities | 2025 |
Leadership grants for GA | $650 | Two individuals to attend GA virtually in June 2025 | 2025 |
Committee on Shared Ministry | $12,200 | Ministerial intern for one year | 2025 |
COMMUNITY PARTNER GRANTS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024 & 2025 | |||
NAME OF NONPROFIT | GRANT | PURPOSE | FISCAL YEAR |
Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois | $3,000 | Unrestricted | 2024 |
Community Renewal Society | $3,000 | Unrestricted | 2024 |
Interfaith Action of Evanston | $3,000 | Unrestricted | 2024 |
Unitarian Univer. Advocacy Network of Illinois | $3,000 | Unrestricted | 2024 |
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee | $3,000 | Unrestricted | 2024 |
Faith in Place | $1,296 | Unrestricted | 2024 |
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights | $1,296 | Unrestricted | 2024 |
Family Focus of Evanston | $1,296 | Unrestricted | 2024 |
Community Renewal Society | $2,607 | Unrestricted | 2025 |
Connections for the Homeless | $2,607 | Unrestricted | 2025 |
Faith in Place | $2,607 | Unrestricted | 2025 |
Family Focus of Evanston | $2,607 | Unrestricted | 2025 |
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights | $2,607 | Unrestricted | 2025 |
Interfaith Action of Evanston | $2,607 | Unrestricted | 2025 |
Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois | $2,607 | Unrestricted | 2025 |
Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois | $2,607 | Unrestricted | 2025 |
Testimonials
“I have been very clear in my will that I want to share my legacy with groups that have enriched my life. I have limited disposable income now but have built a reserve of funds which I hope will benefit the people and groups I love when my life is done. UCE is at the top of my list. UCE is my spiritual home and also the base for my social justice work. I like to think that my energy will be recycled as funds are invested and distributed to future projects. I am so glad the Endowment Fund is growing, is well managed and supports the work I find most meaningful.”

“UCE has been my home church for over twenty-five years and I feel strongly that my engagement with our congregation and UU values has enriched my life in many ways. That this richness may be available on into the future, I wanted to leave something to the UCE Endowment Fund in my will. I love hearing others’ stories about discovering this congregation and finding it’s home for them too!”

“The reason that we joined the Nellie Brough Society is simple: for decades, the church has been a huge source of inspiration and support to us. Endowment can be a backstop for the church in tough financial times, with the flexibility to direct funds where they are most needed. We agree with a good church friend who said several years ago that UCE had become the most important institution in his life, and he wanted to make sure it was around long after he was gone. We feel the same way.”
