St Mark Mission Endowment

Leaving a Legacy

We can give thanks because by grace we walk in the steps of generations of faithful people. Each one of us have the opportunity to contribute to the continuing legacy of this congregation. The St Mark Lutheran Endowment Fund was established to help you create your legacy and ensure the continuation of God’s work through this congregation for years to come. Through thoughtful planning, you will help to make that hope come true.

Your Gift will make a lasting difference

Each year the Endowment Fund Committee reviews the earnings of the funds and makes recommendations to the congregation for distribution of available funds. Distributions may be made to, but not limited to:

Local community projects- led by St. Mark high school youth.

Scholarships- for members of the church attending college, seminary, nursing or medical school; for members of the church attending college, seminary, nursing or medical school; for church related camping or leadership conferences; other training which enables members of the congregation to grow in Christian faith and service to God’s people.

Grants- to community organizations, ELCA colleges and seminaries, social service agencies, institutions and agencies to which this congregation relates. And for special programs designed for those persons in our parish who are in spiritual or economic need.

Missions of the ELCA- at home and overseas, including, but not limited to, grants to the ELCA for new mission development in North America, professional leadership, educational ministries, world mission and ecumenism, evangelism and capital financing.

Special & strategic congregation, mission-driven initiatives

Your Next Steps

To learn more or to ask questions:

Contact a member of the St Mark Mission Endowment Fund Committee (Kent Smith, Jeff Jorgensen, Doug Thompson, Mel Gutz, and Lori Porsch). You can email them at mylegacy@stmarkstormlake.com
Call the Church Office 712-732-5255

If you already have an estate plan set up:

Email mylegacy@stmarkstormlake.com for the necessary information you will need for your estate planner to be sure that St Mark Lutheran Endowment Fund receives your gift.
This is an example of how a bequest to benefit St Mark. Lutheran Church Endowment Fund may be worded: “I give, devise and bequeath to a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization located in Storm Lake Iowa, Tax ID #42-0871971 ___% of my residual estate for the St Mark Lutheran Endowment Fund”.
Contact your attorney or certified financial planner for specific language for your situation.

If you do not have an estate plan in place,

There are several local persons who have experience setting up such gifts already. Email members of the Endowment Committee at mylegacy@stmarkstormlake.com
Contact our ELCA Foundation regional gift planner Stephen Taylor Stephen.Taylor@elca.org, or call him at 773-380-2291
Or go to foundation.elca.org . They will help you navigate your options to maximize your financial and estate-planning goals. There’s no cost or obligation. It is their ministry to be of service.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A ST MARK LUTHERAN CHURCH

ENDOWMENT GRANT Online Application

The purpose of the St Mark Lutheran Church Endowment Fund is to provide for mission work beyond the operational budget of this congregation (C5.05). The Fund’s purpose is for Youth and/or Mission projects. Applications for matching funds are to be submitted to, and will be reviewed by, the St Mark Lutheran Church Endowment Committee. Consideration and approval of requests for funds will be based upon the information given in this application. Applicants must be members of St Mark Lutheran Church. If the project is approved, the applicant will be responsible to raise the funds needed for the matching fund award. The maximum award may be up to $500.

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Apply for Project Fund

St Mark Lutheran Church

1614 West 5th Street, Storm Lake, Iowa 50588

(712) 732-5255 • hello@stmarkstormlake.com