Endowment Giving
Ways to help — Legacy giving
Give once. Support Pathways forever.
An endowment gift to Pathways is permanent. Your contribution joins a professionally managed fund that grows over time — generating an annual return that supports our programs, year after year, long into the future.
Forever
Your principal is preserved and never spent
Annual
Investment earnings distributed to Pathways each year
$55M+
Community Foundation endowment — your gift is in good hands
How endowment giving works
Your gift works harder every year
Unlike an annual donation that is spent in the year it’s given, an endowment gift is invested permanently. Only the investment earnings are distributed — meaning your original gift keeps giving, indefinitely.
You give
Any amount, online or by check
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CFBMC invests
Your gift joins a professionally managed fund
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The fund grows
Principal is preserved; earnings accumulate
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Pathways benefits
Annual distributions support our programs, every year
The power of permanence: A $10,000 endowment gift generating a 5% annual return produces $500 every single year — for as long as Pathways exists. Over 20 years, that’s $10,000 in support on top of your original gift, which is still fully intact and still working.
Why endowment giving matters
Stability through uncertainty
Annual fundraising can fluctuate with the economy, donor circumstances, and community priorities. Endowment income gives Pathways a reliable foundation that doesn’t rise and fall with any single year’s campaign.
Programs that last
Compass Early Learning Center, Your Path financial coaching, and our Family Resource Center serve families across years and decades. Endowment income ensures these programs can continue regardless of what any given year brings.
A legacy with your name on it
Endowment gifts can be named in honor or memory of a loved one, creating a permanent tribute that ties your family’s generosity to the children and families of Monroe County — now and for generations to come.
Expertly managed for growth
Your gift is managed by the Community Foundation of Bloomington & Monroe County, a trusted institution with a $55M+ endowment. Their investment professionals ensure prudent stewardship and long-term growth.
Our endowment is held at the Community Foundation of Bloomington & Monroe County
Pathways’ endowment fund is managed by the Community Foundation of Bloomington & Monroe County, a local institution founded in 1990 that has awarded over $52 million to more than 600 organizations across Monroe County. Your gift is pooled with other funds and invested with the goal of long-term growth, with annual distributions returned to Pathways to support our mission. More than 50 local nonprofits benefit from funds at the Community Foundation — your gift is in excellent hands.
How to make an endowment gift
Common questions
Is there a minimum gift to the endowment? ▼
No. Any gift to the endowment is welcome and meaningful. Smaller gifts accumulate over time and contribute to a growing pool of permanent support for Pathways.
Is my endowment gift tax-deductible? ▼
Yes. Gifts to the Pathways endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Bloomington & Monroe County are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. You will receive a gift acknowledgment letter from the Community Foundation for your records.
How does the Community Foundation decide how much to distribute each year? ▼
The Community Foundation follows prudent investment and distribution policies in accordance with state and federal guidelines, including the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act. The goal is to distribute a sustainable amount each year while growing the fund’s value over time. Pathways selects its annual distribution amount within those guidelines.
Can I make an endowment gift in someone’s name? ▼
Yes — endowment gifts can be made in honor or in memory of a loved one. Please contact us so we can ensure the tribute is properly recorded and acknowledged. Named endowment funds may also be possible for larger gifts.
Why does the online portal say “Monroe County United Ministries”? ▼
Pathways rebranded from Monroe County United Ministries effective January 1, 2025. The Community Foundation’s portal reflects our former name, but your gift will reach us correctly. We are working to update the fund name and appreciate your patience during this transition.
Can I leave an endowment gift in my will? ▼
Absolutely — and this is one of the most powerful things you can do. A planned gift to our endowment through your will, living trust, or beneficiary designation creates permanent, compounding support for Pathways that grows long after your lifetime. Visit our planned giving page to learn more.
Plant a seed that grows forever.
Your endowment gift to Pathways will support working families in Monroe County long after any single year’s fundraising campaign. We’d love to talk with you about the impact you want to create.