The Foundation

Thinking of the Future
First Unitarian Church Foundation

Have you included First Church in your will or estate plan? Would you like to learn more about planned giving options that can benefit you, people important to you and First Church? The First Unitarian Church Foundation is your key resource for supporting the mission of First Church now and in the years to come.

The Legacy Society

The Legacy Society was recently established by the Board of Stewards of the First Unitarian Church Foundation to recognize congregants and friends of First Church who have included the Church in their wills and estate plans. These generous individuals have made a lasting legacy—a gift that will benefit the church again and again for generations to come.

If you have included First Church in your will or through an estate gift and would like information about becoming recognized as a member of The Legacy Society or would like to receive information about making a planned gift, please contact Mary McFarland at the church office 503-228-6389, ext. 31, or mmcfarland@ firstunitarianportland.org.

Planned Giving –A Pathway to a Legacy

A planned gift to the First Unitarian Church Foundation is an especially meaningful way to help ensure a bright future for First Unitarian Church. The most rewarding part of planned giving is knowing that you can make truly wonderful things happen in the future with the resources you have accumulated during your lifetime. Additionally, some planned gifts include a provision for you, or someone you designate, to receive funds during your lifetime.

Through your will and estate planning you have the satisfaction of deciding exactly how and where to give, knowing that your gifts will continue to support your personal priorities.

Planned Giving Is Smart Investing

When you invest in First Unitarian Church by planning a gift through the First Unitarian Church Foundation, you may receive the benefits of:
           A reduction of income and estate taxes;
           Avoidance of long term capital gains;
           An effective rate of return;
           A potential increase in income for you, your family and/or another beneficiary;
           And, with every estate gift you make you:
           Leave a lasting and important legacy for future generations of First Unitarian Church congregants and the community at large.

Ways of Giving
Outright Gifts
Gifts may be made to the First Unitarian Church Foundation “outright” in the form of cash, equity, securities, real estate or other tangible personal property. These gifts are exempt from capital gains tax and qualify for a federal charitable deduction.

Bequests
A will, written by a qualified legal adviser, is the foundation of a good estate plan. By naming the First Unitarian Church Foundation as a beneficiary in your will, you can make a charitable commitment while retaining full use of your assets during you lifetime.

Bequests of all sizes are encouraged as a way to contribute to the Foundation at a later date. Bequests may be made for a specific dollar amount, a percentage of the total estate or a residual portion of the estate. A bequest to the First Unitarian Church Foundation is entirely free of federal estate tax.

Life Insurance
Gifts of paid-up life insurance policies, new policies, or policies which are no longer needed are excellent ways to make a tax deductable gift now without affecting your current income.

Retirement Accounts
One of the simplest ways to provide for First Unitarian Church is to name the Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement plan. Retirement plan assets (such IRAs and 401k, profit sharing or other plans) are often taxed heavily when passed to your heirs through your estate. However, there is
no tax incurred when these assets are passed to the First Unitarian Church Foundation.

Charitable Gift Annuities
A gift annuity is a favorite method for many people to provide fixed income payments to the donor for their lifetime. The amount received is determined by the size of the gift and the age of the donor. The income received is guaranteed and the remainder amount upon the donor’s death is then transferred to the Foundation.

Charitable Remainder Trusts
This type of life income plan is created by transferring assets to a trust that pays you (and your spouse or another beneficiary) income for life. At the end of the trust, the remaining trust assets are transferred to the Foundation. The type of trust you choose determines your annual payments. You can claim a charitable deduction on your income tax in the year you create your trust.

             A Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust pays a fixed dollar amount annually for life, determined by the payout percentage you select when the trust is established.
             A Charitable Remainder Unitrust pays you a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets, as revalued each year. With either type of remainder trust, the payments you receive may be taxed as ordinary income or, in some cases, as capital gains or tax-free income.

Retained Life Estate Contract
Did you know you can give your home or vacation residence to the but continue to use it for life? It’s true. You can give your home or vacation residence to the First Unitarian Church Foundation and receive an income tax deduction for part of the property’s value (based on your age and the value of the property). After your lifetime, the property comes directly to the Foundation, avoiding probate.

Stock Gifts
Even if stocks you own have dropped below their highest values, many may still be worth more than you paid for them. As appreciated property, they can be very attractive charitable gifts. This is very beneficial for many people due to the upfront tax deduction and the avoidance of capital gains taxes.
If you would like to make a planned gift using securities, ask your investment advisor to contact the controller at the Church office at 503-228-6389, ext. 21, for details regarding the church’s brokerage account number and other important information.

When arranging an estate gift, it is recommended that you contact your attorney or financial advisor.
If you have questions or would like additional information about including the church in your will or making other planned giving arrangements, please contact the Church’s Development Office at 503-228-6389, ext. 31, or any of the Foundation’s Stewards.

First Unitarian Church of Portland Foundation
A board of seven Stewards manages the business and activities of the Foundation. Five Stewards are elected by the voting members of the congregation and two are appointed by the Church’s board of trustees. In addition, the Church’s ministers may serve as nonvoting ex-officio members.

The Foundation’s Board of Stewards
Beverly Fogle, president
Barbara Stallcup Miller, vice president
Ruth Robinson, secretary
Pat Malone, treasurer
Camille Wright
Martha Richards
Evans Van Buren

Investment Policy
All funds are administered as a permanent endowment to support the Church’s mission, including funds designated by donors for a specific project or purpose.
Investment managers with proven performance records manage the Foundation’s funds. Socially responsible investment guidelines for fund managers were adopted by the Board of Stewards in November 2005. The IRS tax exempt number is 43-1968342.

Distribution of Funds
The Foundation’s basic net distribution is a percentage of the Fund’s income. A growing endowment is essential to ensure the perpetual support of First Church.

A board of seven Stewards manages the business and activities of the Foundation. Five Stewards are elected by the voting members of the congregation and two are appointed by the Church’s board of trustees. In addition, the Church’s ministers may serve as nonvoting ex-officio members.

Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , development officer, for a brochure or to have your questions answered. Thank you. Or, you may phone her at the church office, 503-228-6389, ext. 31.
Mailing Address:
1034 SW 13th Avenue
Portland, OR 97205