UCC's New 'Church Builder Bonus' provides bump for Cornerstone Fund investors

From Worldwide Faith News <[email protected]>
Date Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:00:34 -0800

New 'Church Builder Bonus' provides bump for Cornerstone Fund 
investors


Written by Staff Reports
November 16, 2010


Investors in the UCC's Cornerstone Fund are familiar with the healthy
returns it consistently provides. Now, thanks to the new Church
Builder Bonus program, they can earn a 1.5 percent bonus.

Those making a minimum $10,000 investment over five years ? while
designating a "give-back" gift of at least 10 percent to any UCC
ministry or organization ? can enjoy the bonus for the entire
five-year investment term.

The bonus affords investors with a 4.5 percent (APR) interest ? a 50
percent inccrease over the standard five-year APR of 3 percent.
Individuals with fixed-income investments can earn a higher rate of
return while allocating their "give-back" contribution to their local
church to help fulfill their annual pledge.

"All Cornerstone Fund investments help ensure funds are available for
loans to UCC churches seeking to improve their facilities and
strengthen their ministries," says Gordon Gilles, president of the
Cornerstone Fund. "For churches with loans from the Cornerstone Fund,
Church Builder Bonus investments can help the church qualify for an
interest rate rebate of up to 1 percent when church members make
individual investments."

In addition, the bonus enables investors to help build their favorite
UCC organization by naming that ministry as the recipient of their 10
percent gift. Investors may choose to allocate the "give-back"
contribution to their local church; a capital campaign; a favorite
national program; or a UCC-affiliated ministry or institution.

Investors seeking to support a church or Conference capital campaign
can allocate their 10 percent gift to the campaign and enjoy the bonus
rate as a "thank you" for their generosity. Those opting to reinvest
their additional interest can earn an even higher yield over time.

In addition, investors will retain the tax benefits available on
eligible charitable contributions; the Cornerstone Fund will transfer
each investor's 10 percent gift in the investor's name to ensure that
tax benefits are assigned and acknowledged appropriately.

Founded in 1995, the Cornerstone Fund operates much like a credit
union within the UCC, accepting investments from UCC-related
organizations and individuals. It then makes real estate-secured loans
to UCC churches and organizations seeking to improve facilities and
expand ministries.

Investors earn a competitive rate of return while churches enjoy
no-fee loan packages at attractive rates and flexible terms generally
unavailable in the commercial lending market.

"We look forward to helping individual investors, churches and other
UCC organizations discern how this new investment can work to build
both income and ministry," says Giles of the bonus program.

For more information or to invest in the Church Builder Bonus, contact
the Cornerstone Fund at 888-822-3863 or by emailing
<[email protected]>. Visit Cornerstone's web site at
<cornerstonefund.org>.