Westminster United Church Foundation is a faith-based charitable foundation created to steward legacy gifts and other donations for the long-term benefit of Westminster United Church and its wider community. The foundation oversees invested funds and uses the income to provide financial support for ministries, programs and special projects that advance the church’s spiritual, educational and outreach goals.
Role in the funding ecosystem
The foundation’s primary role is to channel charitable contributions into sustainable support for activities connected with Westminster United Church. This can include funding for worship and music, Christian education, building improvements that enable community use of church facilities, and outreach or social justice initiatives serving the surrounding neighbourhood or wider communities. By separating the management of endowment assets from the church’s operating budget, the foundation helps ensure stable, long-term funding.
Supported audiences and impact
Funding is directed mainly to the ministries and programs of Westminster United Church, but the impact extends to individuals, families and community partners who benefit from these activities. Depending on available resources and the foundation’s policies, support may be provided for new pilot projects, ongoing programs that align with the church’s mission, and occasionally for external organizations whose work resonates with the congregation’s priorities.
Governance and stewardship
The foundation is typically governed by a board or committee of volunteers associated with the church, who are responsible for investment oversight and decisions about distributions. They work to honour donor intentions, maintain prudent financial management and report back to the church community. Emphasis is placed on transparency, responsible stewardship of gifts and aligning all funding decisions with the faith-based values of Westminster United Church.