Gifts To Beth El - Endowments

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create a permanent endowment at Beth El? The first thing it takes is the desire to ensure the future of Beth El Synagogue as a community of Jews and friends. Another important thing is your desire to honor someone special to you in a permanent and meaningful way.

» Description of Beth El Funds

ENDOWMENTS Q&A

What is the minimum donation to create an endowment? The minimum donation is $5,000. This can be paid at once or over a period of three years.

Does the money have to come from just one source? No. You can have different members of your family contribute. Many families request that donations for various simchas such as milestone birthdays or anniversaries go toward creating the endowment.

How much money is available to be spent every year? Beth El's officers invest endowments very carefully. The entire interest is available to be used every year. Beth El assesses each fund 1% of the endowment to provide for the Development Office to help all interested members to start funds and to be sure that fund donors are kept well-informed on the use of their funds.

After I set up the endowment, can I instruct the synagogue to use part of it for another purpose? No. The officers and staff count the interest of endowment funds when they plan each year's budget. Diverting money from its intended purpose threatens the smooth functioning and financial health of the entire synagogue budget.

What kinds of things can I support with an endowment? I really don't have an idea of what kinds of projects need to be endowed at Beth El. We can help with that! Here is a partial list of projects and programs that can be partially or fully supported through an endowment:

Clergy and staff positions
Unsponsored Kiddushes & Daily Minyan hospitality
Holiday treats

Apples at Simhat Torah
Greggers at Purim

College Kesher

Birthday and HH cards
Sendoff ceremony gifts

Unveiling booklets
Interfaith outreach books
Grounds and gardening
Shabbat Summer Style refreshments
Women's retreat
Yizkor books
Gifts at Aufruf
Gifts at TaRBuT bacchalaureate
Professional development for staff
Youth lounge support
Torah repair
Kids Choir uniforms
Torah portion tutor
Haftarah tutor
USY play director
New member baskets
2nd Day Rosh HaShana Kiddush
Decorations for Sukkah
Shofar distribution
Sign-language interpreter
Aufruf gifts
Bikkur Holim cards

After I set up an endowment, can I change the purpose completely and permanently? This happens on rare occasions, but only after substantial consultation between the donor member and Beth El's professional staff and officers. From time to time, the synagogue may approach an endowment donor to allow the purpose of the fund to be changed. This may happen if the fund has not been used for many years, or the purpose for which the fund was established no longer exists.

Are there any other benefits to establishing an endowment fund? Yes! First of all, a story about your endowment fund will appear in the Shofar. Endowment fund donors may be invited to special events relating to their fund, eg. Aleph School graduation, or a Summer Programs Scholarship luncheon. Persons who personally donate $5,000 to start an endowment, or who are honored by having an endowment started in their names, become members of the Ner Tamid Society.

Is my endowment ever used for anything other than what I've designated? All new funds and some older ones are "taxed" 1% of the endowment to help underwrite the costs of administering the endowment program. This is standard operating procedure for nearly all non-profit organizations with endowments.