An Endowment is like a tree…
One generation plants it so that the next one can enjoy the shade.

The key is to make your wishes known — while you can.

What Is the Endowment Fund?

Founded in 1968, the First Unitarian Church of Orlando Endowment Fund, Inc. is a non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) corporation. Its mission is “to receive and manage financial gifts in order to generate and give, in perpetuity, funds to support and sustain the First Unitarian Church of Orlando (1U).” 

All 1U members in good standing are also members of the Endowment. Six of those members are elected to three-year terms as Endowment Board trustees and are responsible for the corporation’s governance and operation. 

• Michael C. – President (term ends 2024)
• Ken L. – Vice President (term ends 2026)
• Julia C. – Treasurer (term ends 2026)
• Ross P.. – Secretary (term ends 2025)
• George H. – Trustee (term ends 2024)
• Adena B. – Trustee (term ends 2025)

Investing and Spending

Endowment funds are invested in low-cost, diversified index mutual funds, including one focused on social responsibility. The Endowment also holds a $300,000 loan made to 1U for the Building the Dream campus renovation. The Endowment Board strives for a return that maintains the purchasing power of the donated funds and provides a reasonably stable annual payout (“pledge”) to the church of 4% to 5%. The church decides how to use the money.

Remembering our Donors

In 2018, the Endowment Board successfully served as 1U’s advocate for the UUA’s Wake Now Our Vision Legacy Challenge program, generating new bequests to both1U and the Endowment valued at $713,000 and qualifying 1U for an immediate $57,300 incentive grant.

The Caroline Gore Legacy Society

The Caroline Gore Legacy Society recognizes those whose estate plans include gifts to either the Endowment Fund or 1U, as well as those whose estate gifts have already been received.

Arranging for such a gift is a testament to the donor’s faith in 1U and the Caroline Gore Legacy Society’s purpose is to recognize and honor this unique kind of generosity.

With deep gratitude, we thank these Caroline Gore Legacy Society members for their commitment to the long-term sustainability of 1U. (Bracketed letters indicate the gift recipient, [C] for church and [E] for Endowment Fund.)

• Julia C. and Richard C. [E]
• Joan C. and Scott T. [C]
• Cynthia & Michael C. [E]
• Steph G. & David C. [E]
• Joan E. [E]
• Roger and JoAnn G. [E]
• Richard G. [C]
• Marty & Mike H. [E]
• Marni H. and Nancy B. [C]
• Dan and Kathy H. [C]
• Libby J. [E]
• Diane K. and Beverly M. [E]
• Michael L. [C]
• Jenny L. [C]
• Carolina & Ken L. [C, E]
• Suzanne P. and Dawn W, [C]
• Ross & Donna P. [E]
• Sandy P. [E]
• Phyllis and Karen R. [E]
• Catherine R. and Paul B. [E]
• Cindy S. [C]

We also honor the memory of these Caroline Gore Legacy Society Members whose final gifts have already been received:

• Rapp Estate 1972
• John Masek Estate 1973
• Prouty Estate 1973
• Starke Estate 1974
• Linda Feigus Estate 1980
• Dorothy Cunningham Estate 1991
• Elizabeth Cary Greer Estate 2001
• Edith Duerr Estate 2003
• Frank Bondurant Estate 2011
• Irma Scudder Estate 2021

Please consider joining this honor roll! Contact Endowment@OrlandoUU.org if you have questions or would like more information.