Endowments: Turning Small Contributions Into Meaningful Change

Endowments serve as a powerful tool for ensuring long-term sustainability. They are a way to turn present-day generosity into legacies, providing steady financial support for impactful work in the Church and beyond.

The Journey Toward Excellence Endowment, held by the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana, offers an inspiring example of how endowments can make a difference.

Established by the late Rev. John Winn and his wife, Rev. Carole Cotton Winn, the fund supports the work of The Center for Pastoral Excellence and The Academy for Spiritual Leadership. These ministries focus on deepening spirituality, fostering missional and pastoral excellence, and nurturing leaders through retreats, pilgrimages, and small-group experiences.

What makes this endowment so inspiring is the way it has grown over time through the contributions of many. Established in 2012 with an initial contribution of just $100, it has grown steadily through the faithful support of the Winn family and promotional efforts led by Dr. Craig Gilliam , a United Methodist pastor in Shreveport. In fact, John sent a contribution to the fund just three weeks before he died on December 27, 2023. Through John's obituary, his children invited friends and loved ones to contribute memorial gifts to honor his legacy.

This resulting outpouring of support was remarkable-dozens of small donations added over $6,000 to the fund. This response demonstrates how even modest contributions to an endowment, united by a shared purpose, can create significant impact.

Today, the fund has reached an impressive balance of $118,000, that will provide significant income distributions to ministries in the Louisiana Conference, for years to come.

Reflecting on the outpouring of support, John's daughters, Rev. Callie Winn Crawford and Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, shared:

"We were deeply moved by how many people chose to honor our dad's legacy in this way. It's beautiful to see how their generosity has helped this endowment flourish, supporting the work our family cares about so deeply."

Unlike traditional gifts that are spent immediately, endowments work differently. Contributions to an endowment are invested, with only the income generated used to fund the supported ministry. This ensures the principal remains intact, providing a stable and ongoing source of funding, even during times of financial uncertainty.

Consider how you might join this enduring work-whether by contributing to an existing endowment or starting one to support the causes closest to your heart. The staff at the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana can help you build a legacy of generosity and hope that lasts far beyond your lifetime.