Gift recognizes good church work

The Center for Christian Social Ministries at Roberts Wesleyan College will benefit from a new endowment fund just established at Rochester Area Community Foundation by a benefactor who hopes others will be inspired to add their gifts to it.

"Our donor, a Livingston County resident, is not looking for personal publicity but wants to call attention to the Center," said Jennifer Leonard, president and executive director of the Community Foundation. "Gifts of any size may join his gift of $25,000 to grow the fund so the Center can continue its work."

The Center for Christian Social Ministries helps churches throughout the area by teaching and consulting on topics such as family preservation, team building, strategic planning and marketing.

"Our endowment funds allow the donor to control how the gift is used - now and for generations to come," Leonard said. "Interest earned on this fund will go to the Center each year, while the principal (gift) remains untouched and invested," she said.

"We're here to help charitable donors help the community in any way they want," Leonard added. "We offer a range of services to expedite year-end giving, such as Rochester's online Stock Giving CenterSM at www.racf.org/stockcenter, as well as our Charitable Checking AccountSM.

Founded in 1972, Rochester Area Community Foundation is a permanent endowment built by gifts and bequests from individuals, families and organizations throughout great Rochester working to better this region. Grants are made principally to nonprofit organizations serving Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Genesee and Orleans counties.