Annual Giving

Annual gifts support the day-to-day ministry of ECLC: worship, staff, children and youth, music, pastoral care, justice work, building care, and community partnerships.

These gifts make ministry possible right now.

Special Gifts

Members and friends may also choose to make special gifts for particular projects, memorials, mission partners, music, building care, or emerging opportunities.

These gifts help ECLC respond with creativity and generosity when new needs and possibilities arise.

Pastors’ Discretionary Fund

The Pastors’ Discretionary Fund allows ECLC’s pastors to respond quickly and compassionately when urgent needs arise. Gifts to this fund may help with rent, groceries, gas, emergency support, or other crisis needs. The fund also allows ECLC to offer care and solidarity to neighbors and faith communities in times of crisis, grief, or public harm.

The pastors use this fund with discretion, prayerfulness, and care, seeking to act in ways that reflect the generosity of those who give and the values of the congregation.

Music for the Future Fund

The Music for the Future Fund supports the strength, creativity, and future of music ministry at ECLC. Gifts to this designated fund help sustain and expand the congregation’s rich musical life, including special music, guest musicians, new initiatives, instruments, commissions, and other opportunities that deepen worship and community life.

This newly established fund helps ensure that music continues to inspire, gather, challenge, comfort, and enliven the people of ECLC for years to come.

Mission Endowment Fund

The Mission Endowment Fund is a donor-advised fund held and administered through Thrivent Financial. Because it is not owned or directly controlled by ECLC, gifts and distributions are subject to Thrivent’s policies and guidelines.

ECLC may request distributions from the fund to support congregational projects or mission partners. When distributions are received, they are directed through the congregation’s mission process to help extend ECLC’s care, generosity, and partnership in the wider community.

This fund provides occasional support for ministry and mission, while remaining separate from ECLC’s annual giving, designated funds, and Legacy Fund.

The Legacy Fund

The Legacy Fund is a way to make a lasting gift to the future of Edina Community Lutheran Church.

Gifts to the Legacy Fund support the long-term health and well-being of ECLC’s mission and ministry. These gifts may be made during your lifetime or through your estate plan, will, trust, retirement account, life insurance policy, or other planned giving option.

The Legacy Fund is designed to grow over time through additional gifts and investment returns. Once the fund reaches the level established in our policy, annual distributions may support ECLC’s ministry in ways consistent with the purpose of the fund and the mission of the congregation.

You do not need to be wealthy to make a legacy gift. Many meaningful gifts come from ordinary people who simply want their values, faith, and love for this congregation to keep bearing fruit.

Why Give to the Legacy Fund?

A gift to the Legacy Fund can help future generations experience what so many have found at ECLC: a place to belong, a place to grow in faith, a place to be nourished by worship and music, a place to serve, and a place where God’s love is proclaimed without exception.

Legacy gifts help ensure that ECLC’s welcome, witness, care, creativity, and courage continue into the future.

How to Name the Legacy Fund in Your Plans

If you wish to direct an estate gift specifically to the Legacy Fund, please use language that clearly names:

If a gift is made simply to Edina Community Lutheran Church without naming the Legacy Fund, the gift will be handled according to ECLC’s Gift Acceptance and Use Policy.

For formal estate planning language, please consult your legal or financial advisor. ECLC does not provide tax or legal advice, but we are glad to help you connect with helpful resources.

Helpful Planned Giving Options

There are many ways to make a legacy gift, including:

• Naming ECLC’s Legacy Fund in your will or trust
• Naming the Legacy Fund as a beneficiary of a retirement account
• Naming the Legacy Fund as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy
• Making a current gift of cash, stock, or other appreciated assets
• Exploring other planned giving options through the ELCA Foundation

The ELCA Foundation gift planning team is available to help members and friends explore giving options. There is no cost or obligation. Their ministry is to help you think through the best way to align your generosity with your financial and estate-planning goals.

Interested in Learning More?

We would be honored to talk with you.

You may contact Pastor Jeff with questions, to begin a conversation, or to let us know that you have already included ECLC or the Legacy Fund in your estate plans.

We can also connect you with our ELCA Foundation representative for confidential guidance about planned giving options.

There is no pressure and no obligation — just a conversation about how your generosity can continue to bless the church and the world.