The endowment portfolio of the United Congregational Church of Tolland started in 1961 upon the dissolution of the United Federated Church. Two funds, the Kibbe Repair Fund, and the Church Fund, were formed from bequests starting in 1912. The Youth Scholarship Fund was formed from the sale of the Methodist Church. Recent bequests have been made to these funds or are designated for a specific purpose, such as scholarships. Individual bequests to the endowment that exceed $5,000 are individually listed each year in the Annual Report. Most endowment funds are invested in the Missionary Society of Connecticut Consolidated Trust Fund. Endowments currently contribute about 5% of our annual income.

The Endowment Committee is charged with improving knowledge about planned giving by the members to the church. The Trustees are responsible for the funds when received by the church.

How Can I Give to UCCT?

There are numerous ways to contribute funds to the endowment funds of the church. They include: 

• Current or outright gifts by means of cash, securities, or real estate.

• UCC Gift Annuities, whereby the donor receives a fixed rate of return based on age, with a one-time charitable deduction and some tax-free income; minimum gift is $1,000.

• UCC Pooled Income Fund provides a variable rate of return based on the donor’s share of the Fund’s earnings; a one-time charitable deduction; all income will be taxed at the ordinary rate; minimum gift is $2,000.

• Charitable Remainder Trusts are of two types: Unitrusts pay variable income based on a payout percentage, usually 5% of the Trust’s annual value; Annuity Trusts pay a fixed income based on a percentage, usually 5% of the gift amount. The donor receives a one-time charitable deduction. Minimum gift is $50,000.

• Life Insurance, whereby the insured names the church either as beneficiary or as owner/beneficiary of the policy, or gifts a paid-up policy to the church.

• IRA assets, whereby the donor names the church as beneficiary of the IRA, possible avoiding estate taxes.

• Bequest by Will, preferably by percentage, designating the church as primary or contingent beneficiary.

When considering any of the ways to give, you might want to consult with your financial advisor, attorney or CPA who has expertise in this area. If you have an interest in making an arrangement for a specific bequest please contact the church office. We can provide the necessary forms or language to help in this effort.

Grafting Your Legacy—download pamphlet

If you already have a will, it generally is possible to add a bequest to the church through a short separate document (known as a codicil) in which you can include UCCT as a beneficiary. Or simply add this language to your will:

I bequeath to United Congregational Church of Tolland the sum of $____________ to be used, directed to, etc., to an established endowment fund or to the Church General Fund.

Contact Dave Joyce at davidsjoyce@yahoo.com, Rod Hurtuk, or Marshall Atwater for more information.