Gethsemane Memorial Foundation
The Gethsemane Memorial Foundation provides an excellent opportunity for individuals to make contributions of any kind. By giving to the Foundation, one becomes a more effective Christian influence at Gethsemane, in the community and in the world. Gifts to the Foundation support religious, educational and charitable programs related to the mission of Gethsemane Lutheran Church and for congregational needs.
The Church Council founded the Gethsemane Memorial Foundation in 1966 and it is incorporated and registered with the State of Minnesota. Up to 13 church members, including the Senior Pastor, serve as directors.
How to Participate
Depending on your financial situation and the amount you wish to give, your gift can take any of several forms:
- Endowment
Perpetuate your expression of Christian love and do good beyond your lifetime through a gift to the Foundation specifying it for endowment. The principal of endowed funds is invested and only the interest is disbursed. Thus, your gift becomes a continuing expression of Christian love and concern.- Memorials
You are encouraged to remember the Foundation with a gift in memory/honor a family member, friend or a significant event/celebration.- Wills/Bequests
Wills provide an orderly way to distribute your life’s material accumulations according to your wishes. (If you die without a will, state law will direct how your estate will be distributed whether or not that is the way you want it distributed.)- Cash, Appreciated Stocks/Bonds, Real Estate
These can be given during your lifetime, often with distinct tax advantages.- Charitable Gift Annuity, Trusts
This gift can provide you and your spouse with income for as long as you both live and leave the residue of the gift for the benefit of the church at your death.- Insurance
The church or a specific ministry could be the beneficiary of your life insurance. Imagine the impact on Gethsemane’s ministry if every member included Gethsemane as a 10% primary beneficiary of their insurance.
Legacy Partners
The Legacy Partners continues to be an option for those interested in giving a gift of $1,000 or more outright, or by naming Gethsemane Memorial Foundation in their will by transferring ownership of real estate, stocks or bonds, by designating us as a beneficiary of life insurance, an IRA, 401K, 403B plan, annuities and/or trusts.
College Scholarships
Last year the Memorial Foundation awarded four scholarships totaling $4,000. Most ELCA colleges or universities match the scholarship, which usually doubles the grant. This resulted in credit to students' tuition totaling over $8,000.
The congregation could be a big help to the scholarship program by making contributions at this time or in the near future. Any amount supports this vital program. Your donation is tax deductible and helps encourage students to attend an ELCA college. You may use the Foundation envelopes to enclose your check to the Memorial Foundation with "college scholarship" on the memo line or you may send your check to Gethsemane Memorial Foundation, 715 Minnetonka Mills Road, Hopkins, MN 55343, attention Sally Haugen.
