A Means of Securing River Road’s Future

The Endowment Fund helps secure the Congregation’s financial future. It is perpetual in nature and is financed by the generous gifts of current and past congregants. Direct management of the fund is the responsibility of the Endowment Committee, which reports to the Board of Trustees. As outlined in River Road’s bylaws, the Board is authorized to expend income from the Endowment Fund every year to promote liberal religion in special ways, or to meet extraordinary expenses of the Congregation. However, the Endowment Fund’s principal (i.e., the face amount of all donations to the fund) may only be expended with the Congregation’s approval. You can read more about oversight and management of the fund in the Bylaws and the RRUUC Endowment Committee Charter.

The Endowment Committee welcomes your questions and feedback, as well an opportunity to assist you with gift-giving to the fund. Please contact us by emailing our congregational administrator, Ana Lim, 301-229-0400.

Ways to Give

• Make a Donation to the Endowment Fund
  You can make a contribution to the fund today, either by using our secure access or by delivering a check payable to the “RRUUC Endowment Fund”.
  
• Name the Fund as a Beneficiary in Your Estate Planning
  Remembering River Road in your estate planning is an effective way to help secure the long-term viability of the Congregation. The Endowment Fund can be named as a beneficiary in a will, trust, 401(k) or IRA, life insurance policy, or other account. Use the following language to designate the fund as a beneficiary: “River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation – Endowment Fund, Bethesda, Maryland, 20817”. For other examples of suggested testamentary language in various types of accounts, see Suggested Testamentary Language.
• Establish a Charitable Gift Annuity or contribute to a Pooled Income Fund (both of which are available through River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Association), or designate RRUUC as the beneficiary of a Charitable Remainder trust. These estate planning vehicles can allow you to transfer legal title in certain property to the Fund now, yet retain the benefit of income from your property as long as you live.

Please consult your financial advisor about the most tax-efficient ways to include the Endowment Fund in your estate planning.

You can also learn more about Planned Giving at the Unitarian Universalist Association website.