Saint Nicholas Endowment Fund
Securing the financial security of St. Nicholas for future generations
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ENDOWMENT:
• Make a Memorial Donation
A donation can be made in memory of or to honor an individual. Please include the person's name with cash or a check payable to St. Nicholas Endowment Fund, 40 Andrew Jarvis Drive Portsmouth, NH 03801
• Make a Cash Donation
A donation can be made in your name or in your family’s name by cash or check payable to St. Nicholas Endowment Fund, 40 Andrew Jarvis Drive Portsmouth, NH 03801
• Make a Planned Gift
Visit our new Planned Giving Site and explore the many ways to give and create a lasting legacy for your family and the future of St. Nicholas
MORE ABOUT THE ENDOWMENT:
A Brief History of the Endowment Fund
The Endowment Foundation Board
Endowment Foundation Gifts to St. Nicholas
Gift Recognition and Levels of Giving
FAQs
What is the Saint Nicholas Endowment Fund?
The Saint Nicholas Endowment Fund was created by a group of far-sighted parishioners to provide for the long-term financial security of our parish. The Endowment Fund is separate and apart from the annual stewardship support that our parish will always need for general operations. The Endowment Fund creates a source of revenue for long-term capital needs and projects outside of the annual operating budget of the church.
Why should I make a gift to the Endowment Fund?
Your gift to the Endowment Fund will help secure the financial health of our parish for all future generations. By supporting the long-term capital needs of Saint Nicholas, future generations will be better able to support all of the important ministries and day-to-day operations of the parish.
How has the Endowment Fund benefited St. Nicholas?
From 2012 through 2024, the St. Nicholas Endowment Foundation has provided gifts to fund improvements to St. Nicholas totaling nearly $248,000. To see the many ways Endowment gifts have helped the church click here.
How do I make a gift to the Endowment Fund?
You can make your gift via check made out to the St. Nicholas Endowment Fund. You can also give a gift through a Memorial Donation, Bequest, Appreciated Securities, Life Insurance, Real Estate, Charitable IRA Rollover, Gift Annuity and more. (St. Nicholas Endowment EIN 20-3757062)
How will my gift be preserved?
Our by-laws require the Endowment Board to prioritize capital preservation. In addition to anchoring our investment philosophy, this also means that we only provide funds to St. Nicholas from the returns (i.e., interest, dividends, and capital gains) generated from gifts. The gifts become the principal, from which only returns will fund any donations to St. Nicholas. Your gift will never be distributed.
How is the Endowment Fund managed?
The fund is managed conservatively with the guidance of financial professionals to prioritize capital preservation in recognition of the requirement to provide donations to St. Nicholas only from the returns of investments.
How does the Endowment Fund determine gifts to the Church?
The Board determines if a donation to the Church can be made if, and only if, such a donation would not utilize any funds from gifts given by our donors. If we can meet this threshold, then we request from the Church’s Parish Council any capital needs that might exist that we might fund. Upon receipt of such capital needs, the Board will vote to determine the suitability of the need and the amount of funding we can provide, not to exceed 5% of the value of the Endowment (assuming principal is not utilized). This occurs on an annual basis.
Can I add to a gift I have already given?
Yes, and we encourage our donors to make gifts over time to add to the legacy they have already provided. The various levels of giving, with names inscribed on a plaque at St. Nicholas, represent cumulative gifts.