Foundation of First Presbyterian Church

The Foundation of First Presbyterian Church-Davenport

We worship in a beautiful, historic building with a wonderful, faithful congregation.  To accomplish the mission of First Presbyterian Church of Davenport (FPC) year in and year out, many resources are required – – not only time, but money.

The Foundation of First Presbyterian Church of Davenport is a separate entity from FPC, but it exists to lend financial support for the mission and needs of FPC.  This financial support is supplemental, or in addition to the Stewardship resources that create the church’s General Fund.

Just as most financial assets grow with the years, so gifts to the Foundation may provide benefits to continuing generations. The Foundation of FPC is dedicated to increasing support of First Pres. and expanding the work of its mission and programs.

HOW IS THE FOUNDATION OF FPC STRUCTURED? The Foundation of First Presbyterian Church has two main funds that are managed by the Board of Trustees. Gifts to the Endowment Fund are added to the principal of the Endowment Fund. Returns on the investment of the Endowment Fund can be used by FPC. Gifts to the Unrestricted Fund are used to assist FPC with unanticipated expenses beyond what is covered by the Stewardship Funds.

There are five church members who serve as Board of Trustees and who interact with New Covenant Trust Company, our investment management company to oversee the performance and growth of Foundation of FPC funds.  These Trustees answer to the Members of the Foundation of FPC.  Foundation Members are those individuals who are the currently sitting Elders of FPC, and they operate independently from their Session role.

The Foundation of FPC is a 501c3 corporation and operates according to the Iowa Uniform Management of Institutional Funds Act, and is not controlled by the Presbytery, Synod or Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Foundation of FPC gifts that were received years ago from congregation members of past were cultivated and grown and have been used to help with unanticipated FPC expenditures. Some examples of this include:

• • Assisted with 2022 staff search and relocation expenses;
  • Paid a portion ($25,000) of the project to repair and protect the historic Lamb Stained Glass Windows in 2022;
  • Provided $40,000 to cover much of FPC’s Multimedia Campaign in 2009;
  • Supported the Deacon’s efforts to relocate a family from Africa to the Quad Cities;
  • Enabled the buildout of the Heritage Room & related supplies in the amount of $50,000;
  • Assisted with funding for the 2016 Envisioning 2020 effort, staff search efforts and relocation costs;
  • Covered the $20,321 cost for parking lot improvements in 2017;
  • Provided $100,000 to support the Church’s Bridge Builder’s Campaign in the mid 1990’s for sanctuary renovations and repairs;
  • Covered $165,000 of the $275,000 to repair the Church roof;

These expenditures were made using gifts that people gave to the Foundation of FPC in the past.  The gifts that are given today will similarly serve the future (and current) needs of FPC.

The Need for FOUNDATION Giving TO support future generations

FPC is not alone in our financial challenges.  From Church-Development.com:

“As buildings age and staff salary and benefit expenses creep steadily upward each year, congregations struggle to keep up, frequently finding themselves facing maintenance issues of crisis proportions or making the difficult decision to cut staffing and/or program levels in order to balance this budget.  And as government funding for social programs decreases, more churches are stepping in to provide new services to their communities.”

The need to increase participation in Foundation of FPC giving is more crucial than ever.

To truly keep up with the resources required to support the church building into the future, we need to grow Foundation of FPC funds today.

Your Involvement

Sharing with the Foundation of First Presbyterian Church that you are donating to the Foundation during your lifetime or within your estate plan will automatically enroll you as a member of the Kirkwood Tower Circle. Long term FPC member Lucy Norton was a charter member of the Kirkwood Tower Circle. Lucy was a strong believer in the need for the Foundation of FPC to assist FPC. She and her family donated her husband Paul Norton’s original watercolor of the church tower to be used to promote the Foundation. Each new member of the Kirkwood Tower Circle receives a framed print of that watercolor as a thank you gift.

One easy way to support the Foundation of FPC is to include the Foundation of First Presbyterian Church of Davenport, Iowa as a beneficiary in your will or trust, retirement plan, life insurance policy, or other planned giving vehicle.

For additional information about the Foundation of First Presbyterian Church, contact the church Business Office at 563-326-1691, ext. 219, or olson@fpcdavenport.org.

“The church needs to be here for the youth of tomorrow. The church… is where your spiritual heart is.”
– Lucy Norton