Update & Performance Summary
Hinsdale United Methodist Church established the Copper Cross Endowment in 2009 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the church – honoring the legacy given by our founding members by creating our own legacy for the future.
How has the Copper Cross Endowment been Funded?
We have received gifts to the endowment over its 16 years of existence from a multitude of ways, with the largest gifts coming from bequests in the estate plans of our members. With gifts over the 16 years and earnings from our investment gains (less annual distributions to the annual budget), we had accumulated a balance of $1.84 million at December 31, 2024. Amazing!
How are the funds Invested and Distributed?
The investments are governed by approved policies under a separate Endowment Charter and are overseen by the Copper Cross Endowment Committee. The gifts are invested in the market through low-cost equity and fixed income funds. The performance and allocations are reviewed by the Committee and a report is issued to the congregation annually. Annually, four percent (4%) of the average value (based on a rolling twelve quarters) of all investments are distributed to the church as part of the annual budget process.
For 2024, the amount distributed was an important portion of our total resources: $63,000—9% of our total resources! The Committee also oversees a second endowment, the Youth Endowment Program. It was established in 2017 with a founding gift from one family, has a current balance of $92,000 and is invested in a comparable manner to the Copper Cross. This endowment is available to support our overall youth programs, with a specific focus to ensure financial aid is available to allow all youths to attend the programs. As we have been able to support our youth activities through the annual budget, there have been no distributions made from this endowment since inception.
How has the Copper Cross Endowment Performed?
It has done very well over its 16 years—the benefit of long-term investing along with a balanced approach (generally 65-70% in a variety of passive stock funds and 30-35% in intermediate bond funds). Of course, we are subject to variations in the market. Our 2024 return was 14.7%.
What can you do to continue the legacy of the Copper Cross Endowment?
Please consider including the endowment in your annual giving and estate plans. There are numerous ways to make a gift (from cash gifts to RMD’s from IRA’s, bequests in wills to naming HUMC as a beneficiary of life insurance). Thank you for all your support to HUMC!
Zed Francis, Chair of Copper Cross Committee