WCPC Foundation | Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church

WCPC Foundation

We have all been taught that regular giving to the church is part of our stewardship responsibilities, that is, by giving a percentage of what we earn we recognize God’s ownership of us all. However, as good stewards it is also important to thoroughly plan the distribution of our estates.

Your estate is a sacred trust. It has been accumulated as a result of your labors and God’s blessing. Therefore, as a part of our total life of stewardship, we should spend the necessary time to do a thorough job in planning for its distribution.

WCPC Foundation has been established to help focus on this aspect of stewardship.

Questions & Answers

What is the WCPC Foundation?

WCPC Foundation is a tax exempt corporation formed in 1995 to support the programs of Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church. Its purpose is to provide a vehicle for WCPC’s member and friends to remember the church in their wills or memorials and be assured that such funds will be administered for the benefit of Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church programs, but separate from the annual operating budget.

How Will The Foundation Use Its Money?

Is The Foundation Mainly Designed For Estates of Wealthy People?

No. It is designed to be of assistance in helping people think through and plan the distribution of assets remaining when this life is complete. We will all have estates, some large and some small, and WCPC foundation can be used to transfer a percentage of what remains at death to further God’s work in the local church.

Of course, large estates benefit more from the tax aspects of bequests to tax exempt organizations, but that is not the main reason the Foundation was formed. It is the commitment rather than the amount of the gift which is important.

Can The Foundation Accept Memorial Gifts?

Can I Specify How I Want My Gift To Be Used?

Will Money That I Leave To The Foundation Avoid Taxation In My Estate?

Who Will Make Decisions On The Foundation’s Expenditures?

The Foundation will be governed by a Board of Directors made up entirely of Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church members. The Board of Directors will receive requests from Session, the Deacons, and Church Departments. The Board will make all decisions on which requests will receive funding.

Of course, if the donor indicates a desire on how gifts should be used, the Board will see to it that such intentions are honored.

The Board will also make decisions on how much of its money should be spent currently and how much should be retained and invested for future needs. Any such investments will be made on a conservative basis with organizations which follow practices that are not in conflict with biblical principles.

If I Have Already Remembered The Church In My Will, Do I Need To Change It?

No. The Foundation has been established as an alternative for people who would rather leave their money to a separate entity which will emphasize capital needs and other areas of support not normally included in the church’s annual operating budget.

If you have named the church in your will, the Session will determine how the gift will be used. The Session will also diligently honor how such funds are used if the donor has indicated a specific desire.

Is The Foundation Prepared To Handle More Complex Giving Such As Charitable Gift Annuities, Charitable Remainder Trusts, Etc.?

Can The Foundation Accept Gifts Of Securities Or Real Estate?

Can The Foundation Be Named As The Beneficiary Of A Life Insurance Policy?

Board of Directors

Ron Johnson
Bill Herbert
Stephanie Mahon

Robert Moranville
Richard Osicka
Chris Ritchey

Steve Seto
Steve Wood