Foundation Facts

What is Westminster Ministries Foundation?

“A ministry of stewardship: We seek to build God’s Kingdom by helping believers as they consider and carry out the particular plan of stewardship that they believe God has set out for them.”
The Foundation facilitates giving to Christian organizations by identifying opportunities for current gifts (for example, giving appreciated stock or a bargain sale of appreciated real estate) or deferred gifts (for example, naming a ministry in your will or using your IRA to fund a charitable trust).
The Foundation is not really interested in “barn-building” like some foundations. Our objectives are (1) to serve believers by providing a comfortable Christian environment for discussing matters of Christian stewardship, and (2) to help build God’s kingdom by passing dollars on to Gospel-based frontline ministries.
The Foundation is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) public charity, classified as a Type I supporting organization.
Since 2006, the Foundation has provided current funding to 48 churches, schools, missionary families, mis-sions projects, local mercy ministries and other charities and has facilitated future gifts to 9 other ministries.

Who does the Foundation serve? How?

The Foundation primarily serves individuals and families connected to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Westminster Catawba Christian School or Westminster Towers, but the Foundation will work with others who are passionate about building God’s kingdom, regardless of which Christian ministry is on their heart.
The Foundation offers a personalized estate or gift design, free of charge and suitable for implementation by a lawyer or accountant. The Foundation will work with your advisor, if you would like. In many cases, there is no gift involved. For example, a couple with young children might simply need help or encouragement deciding on guardians or setting up a basic will with children’s trusts.
The Foundation is not itself a frontline ministry and will not try to influence how much or where you give.

When (and why) was the Foundation started?

For years, secular organizations – universities, national charities and community foundations – have been working with supporters to facilitate current and deferred gifts. Large Christian organizations do this also.
The leadership at Westminster began to ask: Why shouldn’t we begin having conversations with members and other faithful stewards about gift planning, estate planning and other areas of stewardship? The Westminster leadership recognizes the importance of the Foundation as both a ministry and a way to fund God’s kingdom.
The Foundation was formed and the initial board of directors was elected in November 2004. The Executive Director was hired in February 2006. The Foundation obtained its tax exempt status in November 2006. The Foundation accepted its first donor advised fund gift in December 2006.

Who is involved with the Foundation?

Jon Brownfield, Jeff LeForce, John Gabrenas, Lee Gardner, Randy Graham, Sig Huitt, Sue McCauley, Brent Martin, Kristen Davis Rhyne, Sheldon MacGillivray (ex-officio) and Shelton Sanford (ex-officio) comprise the Foundation’s board of directors. The board is elected by the Session of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Edwin Barnes, Jr. serves as Executive Director of the Foundation and reports to the board of directors.

April 6, 2011