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Sometimes members know for sure they want to make a gift to the work of the church in their estate but have trouble deciding what specifically to give to. Here are some popular ideas.

1. SECC-Unrestricted. This is the most often used designation and has some distinct advantages. It avoids the possibility of your gift designation being no longer relevant or needed at the time of the distribution. If you give to a specific project who knows what will be its status at the time your gift matures. But if you give your gift unrestricted it can be used for the greatest needs at that time. The year 2006 was a good year for maturities in Southeastern. Out of a total of about $2.9 million given to SECC entities, $2.5 million was unrestricted. The treasurer was able to designate $900,000 for church and school building projects.

2. SECC Education Endowment. Christian Education continues to be a favorite gift designation and the endowment has several attractive features for the giver. It is an established endowment so no new structure or accounting is needed. It protects the principal by allowing use of the earnings. The designated use is for student scholarships and unrestricted school operating income. It can be specifically given to a local school, a child development center or to the general fund. It is professionally managed. To this date the conference has been able to match every gift on a dollar for dollar basis and hopes to be able to continue to do this. As the donor you can even designate whether you want the traditional plan which protects the principal against inflation or the guaranteed 5% distribution plan. (If you would like a brochure contact us.)

3. Your local church or school. This continues to be a popular gift designation. The gift can be for unrestricted use or can further specify the use. A gift in an estate plan is very appreciated by the board and members and can make a huge difference. The local church or school is ground zero for the work of the church.

4. Pine Springs Ranch. PSR serves the entire conference with summer camp and as a year round retreat center. The mountain setting brings the peacefulness and beauty of nature to enhance worship. PSR exists because leaders and members in the 1960 purchased and developed the ranch. Today we are on the verge of a significant improvement of the ranch as the board studies a master plan presented by an architectural firms that specializes in camps.

5. School Building Fund This is a building decade for our schools. With very little being done in the decade of the 1990s the pent-up demand and need exploded in this decade. We have already finished entirely new plants for Calexico Mission School and San Diego Academy. Escondido Academy is being rebuilt on a new site as this goes to press. In addition there are probably about 10 other projects in various stages of preparation that aren’t building entire new plants. As long as we have schools this fund will be needed to help build new school buildings.

6. Church Building Fund Your local church could use your help. Often the building of a new church is the challenge of the generation for a church congregation. The only place the local congregation can look for help is the conference. You gift to this funds helps build and rebuild churches throughout the conference.

7. Specific Ministries Some givers like to make their gift specifically target to a ministry such as Asian-American evangelism or family ministries. Such a gift can provide a big impetus to the ministry and help accomplish the donor’s dream.

8. Local Church Ministries Quasi Endowment A gift here is invested by SECC and the earnings are made available to the local churches to support ministry. The earnings when distributed are under the direction and control of the local church board. Many churches find that after paying their church plant expenses and school subsidy there is not much left for creative ministry to the community. This fund is established to address this need by increasing the funds available for the local church.

We can help!The trust services department is here to help you make this gift. If your lawyer needs help knowing the name or correct way to identify your gift we can help. If you want help setting up an estate plan we can help. Whether it is practical help or technical help we are here to serve you. Give us a call.