MissionThe purpose of Westwood Lutheran Memorial Foundation is to receive and administer funds for the religious, educational, and charitable activities of Westwood Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church in general.In addition the Foundation has taken on additional roles from time to time, such as providing financial management of the Columbarium. Jump to: About Westwood Lutheran Memorial FoundationHistory and Work of the FoundationThe Westwood Lutheran Memorial Foundation was founded in July 1973 by a number of visionary Westwood leaders. It was chartered as a separate non-profit organization under the laws of the state of Minnesota. The first Board of Directors included Dr. Donald Bell, Robert Skare, Robert Boeder, Lois Coon, Ralph Martinson, Eugene Booth, Alvin Haugen, Don Padilla, and Noreen Johnson.Since 1973, the Foundation has been entrusted with gifts from members and friends of the congregation. The gifts are often memorials for a family member, close friend, or a beloved member of our congregation. Individuals who wish to leave a legacy have directed gifts to the Foundation to achieve their personal aspirations for the church and the community. Some have set up special funds to provide for a favorite area of ministry, such as music, youth, or education. Gifts can also be in honor of special occasions such as graduations, wedding anniversaries, or retirements. Gifts made for estate planning purposes benefit the giver as well as the Foundation. In each case the purpose is the same; to accumulate financial resources to help us do God's will in various ways. Assets accumulate in, and emanate from, funds administered by the Foundation. The first gift received by the Foundation, as well as the many subsequent gifts, remain in tact today and continue to grow. The Foundation Board of Directors is charged with the fiduciary responsibility of preserving these gifts by making prudent investment decisions that will annually produce earnings. The earnings are then put to work, consistent with the dreams and aspiration of the original givers. How the Foundation FunctionsGifts to the Foundation live in perpetuity as only the income is used for grants.The Westwood Lutheran Memorial Foundation is a Minnesota non-profit organization chartered to receive and administer funds for the religious, educational and charitable activities of Westwood Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church in general. Since 1973 the Foundation has been entrusted with gifts from members and friends of the congregation. These gifts are often memorials for a family member, close friend, or a beloved member of the congregation. Two types of endowed funds are managed by the Foundation. The Endowment Fund, the largest fund, receives undesignated gifts whereas various Designated Funds are established for gifts to be used for specific purposes, such as the Music Program Fund. Some of these Designated Funds were established by Individuals who wished to leave a legacy and have grants from these funds used to achieve their personal aspirations for the church and community. Gifts to the Foundation live in perpetuity as only the income from these funds are used for grants. The Foundation Board of Directors is charged with the fiduciary responsibility of preserving these gifts by making prudent investment decisions that will annually produce earnings. The Foundation Board generally consists of 20 Directors elected from congregational members to 4-year terms. Officers and contacts include:
Foundation OrganizationThe Westwood Lutheran Memorial Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors elected from members of the Westwood congregation. The following are currently serving as Directors:
There is also a "Friend of the Foundation" membership category, which includes those who want to serve the Foundation but are not in a position to be Directors. Membership as a Friend requires Board approval. We currently have five people serving in this capacity. They are: Gail Dahl
Mary Dunn Jim Lanenberg Lowell Thompson Ellen Ziegler The Foundation has four standing committees which include the Public Relations Committee, the Investments Committee, the Grants Committee, and the Planned Giving Committee. There is also an Executive Committee and a Nominations Committee which are formed as needed. Gigi Kornfuehrer serves the Foundation as its Administrative Secretary. Return to Top Fund ListingsThe heart of the Foundation is its endowed funding structure. This is where funds are accumulated and disbursements made. Two types of funds are distinguished; 1) the Endowment Fund which is supported by all undesignated gifts, and 2) Designated Funds which have been established for a specific purpose. In addition, with a minimum gift amount, Named Funds can be established under the Endowment or Designated funds for the purpose of continued recognition or memorializing an individual or individuals.Each fund has a Caretaker and a Fund Advocate assigned to it. The Caretaker is usually a Westwood staff person who has the greatest insight into the legitimacy of the needs for which the fund was established. Grant requests are usually made by the Caretaker. The Advocate is a Foundation Director who is a champion for the fund and serves as a liaison between the Caretaker and the Board of Directors. The following paragraphs summarize the currently established funds and their purpose. The Endowment FundThe Endowment Fund is the primary instrument of the Westwood Lutheran Memorial Foundation's (WLMF) work. All undesignated gifts given to the WLMF are automatically credited to the Endowment Fund. The earnings generated from this fund are used to provide for a broad range of purposes decided upon at the discretion of the Board of Directors consistent with provisions set forth in the Bylaws.The following Named Funds have been established under the Endowment Fund umbrella to forever memorialize those named. J. Luther Anderson Memorial Fund Paul & Doris Ives Memorial Fund Shirley Larsen Memorial Fund Agnes Hanson Memorial Fund Jonathan Hilk Memorial Fund Lillian Domholdt Memorial Fund Ralph and Dee Martinson Memorial Fund Darleen Hysen Community Mission Fund This fund was established by the WLMF Board in 1997 with memorial gifts given to honor Darleen Hysen. Darleen was a long time member of Westwood and a WLMF Director who had been involved in many aspects of Westwood's ministry, including the A Cappella Choir, youth, and congregational president. Darleen was very influential in community outreach programs of various sorts, particularly the Habitat For Humanity program. Grants from the fund are directed toward providing financial resources to Westwood Lutheran Church's Habitat for Humanity program or any similar types of programs that might be deemed by the Directors to exemplify Darleen's concern and outreach toward the less fortunate. Donald C. Bell Adult Education Fund This fund was established in 1992 upon the death of Dr. Donald C. Bell, a prominent member of Westwood, a founding member and initial board member of the WLMF, and a past President of the WLMF. Dr. Bell was instrumental in guiding the Foundation and actively promoting its objectives. He was also an ardent believer in the need for continuing adult Christian education at Westwood. Grants from this fund finance special adult education features at Westwood, such as The Bell Memorial Lecture Series, which is particularly oriented toward the use of Luther Seminary professors to bring high quality theological teaching to Westwood members. Don Hansen Caring Ministry Fund A predecessor fund, the Don Hansen Stephen Ministry Scholarship fund, was established in memory of Pastor Don Hansen, who was Westwood's Pastor of Evangelism and Outreach from 1979 to 1984. He was largely responsible for forming Westwood's Stephen Minister Program which trained over 200 lay persons as volunteer care providers to others needing special support in times of illness or personal or family distress. In the mid-1990's, the Stephen Minister program at Westwood ended. The fund was then re-chartered and the scope broadened to be inclusive of a variety of training avenues and programs directed toward helping and caring skills. This training primarily applies to Westwood lay persons, but could also fit the special needs of clergy. Kaari Thoni Youth Education Fund The Kaari Thoni Youth Education Fund was established in 2005 in memory of Kaari Thoni, daughter of Reverend Lee and Pat Thoni. It was formed from the merger of the Early Childhood Center Fund and the Education Program Fund along with additional Kaari Thoni memorial money donations. It supersedes both the Education and Early Childhood Center funds. Grants from the Kaari Thoni Youth Education fund are to be used to help meet the Christian educational needs of Westwood children; either in the WECC or Sunday school. The goal is to help all children to encounter God's love and teachings. The fund will offer financial assistance for educational materials, as well as overnight/day camp scholarships. Kaari was passionate about helping children attend camps. Fund for the Homeless This fund was established in 1989 to provide aid to the homeless through organized shelter programs such as that operated by Our Savior's Lutheran Church in south Minneapolis or by the Families Moving Forward organization. Grants from this fund provide aid to the homeless through grants distributed directly to the providers of shelter. Good Samaritan Fund This fund was established in 1980 with a major gift from Conrad and Marie Posz, members of Westwood, for the purpose of providing a living memorial fund to help individuals or families in immediate need for the essentials of life. The earnings from this fund may go each year directly to the congregation's own budget for this purpose, adding to the funds provided there through the annual budget and/or "Cause of the Month" contributions. Typical purposes intended for this fund are for groceries, rent, transportation, clothing, or other basic costs. Recipients can be either Westwood members or non-members. Other Named Funds have since been established under the Good Samaritan Fund umbrella which include: Albert Johnson Memorial Fund - established in 1991 by Lois and Kenneth Coon in memory of Lois's father, Albert Johnson.
James & Barbara Lanenberg Fund The Music Program Fund This fund was originally established in 1973 with memorial money given in honor of Lorraine Langemo, Westwood's first organist. The primary purpose of this fund is to provide resources for the use and enhancement of music as a worship medium, including the use of paid special musicians for festival services, purchase or rental of special music for worship and festival purposes, and perhaps rental of certain instruments or equipment. In 1991 a Named Fund, the Kristie Thompson Memorial Fund, was established in memory to Kristie Thompson, who was a member of Westwood and a singer in the A Cappella Choir for many years. Ronald Nelson Appreciation Fund This fund was established by grateful Westwood Lutheran Church members in 1992 at the retirement of Ronnie Nelson in appreciation of his 33 years of service to the church, its choirs, and particularly his development and leading of children's choirs that became nationally known and emulated in many churches. Grants from this fund provide resources for Westwood to sponsor or produce special or unique musical events fitting to the Christian tradition that may be community outreach as well as extensions of the normal music agenda of the church. This could include payment for guest artists, purchase or rental of music or equipment, and communications related to the event. Seminary Scholarship Fund This fund was established by the WLMF Board of Directors in 1999 to provide financial support to Westwood members who are engaged in degree programs at a qualified Lutheran seminary. Historical sources of financial resources for students have dwindled severely over the years, making it financially burdensome, if not impossible, for many students to complete seminary training. Yet, this is a time when the Lutheran church is much in need of new blood and new pastoral leadership. Many Westwood members wanted a fund they could give to for providing the needed financial help. However, until the fund reaches assets of $20,000 grants will be made from the Endowment Fund. Tom Hunstad Caring Youth Memorial Fund This fund was initially established in 1989 as the Caring Youth Fund to create Westwood's Caring Youth Award program. Doris and Roland Larson initiated the Caring Youth Award in memory of the death of their grandson, Tommy Wipf. With substantial monetary support from the Larsons, plus other donations from supporters in memory of Tommy Wipf, the fund has grown substantially. In addition, Pastor Tom Hunstad promoted the Caring Youth concept to the national level and it has been adopted elsewhere in the metro area. In 2001 the purpose of the fund was expanded to allow grants from the fund to be made for additional youth and adult leader promotions and rewards that serve to strengthen the youth program at Westwood. The fund name was also changed to recognize the outstanding youth work of Pastor Tom Hunstad, his strong support of the Caring Youth program, and his strong leadership in national Lutheran youth programs. Ralph & Dee Martinson Art Fund The Ralph and Dee Martinson Art Fund was established in 2004, in response to requests from congregational members for Foundation grants to support the display of Christian art works. With approval from family members, a portion of the gift from the Ralph and Delores Martinson estate was used to establish this fund in order to honor their memory. Grants from the fund are used to purchase and maintain works of art that will complement the worship and spiritual experience at Westwood. Art pieces may be purchased outright or commissioned through the WLMF as wishes of the congregation arise. Ralph and Dee were long time, active members of Westwood and showed a special love for its rich heritage of worship, music and art. Ralph was a WLMF founder and past president and also served as congregational president. Ralph used his artistic gifts to express devotion to God and his family in bronze sculptures which includes the 1st Peter plaque on display in the church and the cross that is used to lead the processional each Sunday. More Information and ResourcesThe following links may be helpful as you consider your estate planning:
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