Gift of Adoption Fund Endowment Giving

A strong endowment ensures an enduring source of funding for immediate and future adoption assistance grants. A contribution to the Gift of Adoption Endowment Fund is unique in that the total amount of the gift is invested. Each year, a percentage of the endowment’s balance is distributed to benefit the organization or the specific designated
purpose set by the donor. The rest is reinvested to ensure growth, maintaining the fund’s spending ability far into the future. In this regard, an endowment is meant to be a perpetual gift, providing income for the organization for years to come.

How does it work?

• Endowment gifts may be made in any amount to the general Gift of Adoption endowment fund. Gifts of $125,000 or more may be made to establish a restricted endowment fund which may be given a name of your choice. Options are available for you to reach the $125,000 threshold over time, and simply require a down payment of $10,000 or more. Gifts of cash, appreciated stock or securities, or other assets may be made to establish the endowment.

• The designated purpose of the endowment fund is documented in a donor agreement between the donor and Gift of Adoption. Distributions from the endowment fund will be used only for this purpose outlined in the agreement.
Examples of restrictions are adoption assistance grants to children with medical conditions, or in specific geographies.

• The endowment is invested along with all endowment gifts. The investment portfolio is invested to provide returns of 5.5% over a five-year cycle and to minimize losses during market downturn.

• After the endowment is fully funded and given a three-year build-up period, a percentage (3.5-4%) of the fund’s balance begins working to provide adoption assistance grants according to the purpose outlined. Distributions are made annually from the fund to underwrite grants and the stories of these families are provided to the donor, along with the fund performance statement. Investment growth beyond this distribution is added to the principal to be reinvested for the future.

• During the three-year build up period, you will be provided with a grant story made possible annually through GOA operations, in gratitude for your investment in the mission.

To learn more about Endowment Giving or to start the process, contact Julie Pendell at jpendell@giftofadoption.org.