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 info@cornerstonefund.org. Visit Cornerstone's web site at http://www.cornerstonefund.org/.

United Church of Christ News Service