Establishing a Named Fund

Make a Lasting Impact

Creating a legacy for generations to come can be as easy as establishing an endowment fund with the LSS Foundation, Inc. In your name or in memory of a loved one, this gift of love and inspiration will ensure the support of LSS programs for years and years to come.

Minimum gift amount: $25,000

With a named endowment fund, you can:

  • Leave a legacy in your name, or in memory/honor of a loved one
  • Provide ongoing, annual support in perpetuity for LSS general use
  • Fund the endowment via cash, securities or other giving vehicles
  • Receive a tax deduction for each and every gift you contribute to the endowment

Endowment donations are invested. A portion of the annual income from the investment is used to address immediate needs, while the remaining funds are reinvested to ensure indefinite support.

Here’s how it works: A named endowment fund is established through the LSS Foundation, Inc. It can be funded with an immediate gift or a multiyear gift commitment (not more than five years), or through other instruments of cash or securities.

Many families choose to establish a named endowment through a current gift, planning to grow the endowment with additional gifts, memorials, and estate gifts. A named endowment can be named after yourself, a family member or someone influential in your life whom you want to honor through your perpetual support of LSS.

The Foundation is committed to being a good steward of all endowment funds. The Foundation Board establishes an Investment Policy. That policy is administered by the Finance, Investment and Audit Committee which directs the investment of endowment assets with input from a professional investment advisor/asset custodian (currently Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.). The Foundation Board also adopts spending policies designed to protect the principal amount and distribution capacity of endowment funds over time. The policy sets the maximum amount that may be distributed quarterly each year, unless otherwise instructed by the donor, based upon the value of the endowment’s assets. The 2023 policy allowed for the distribution of an endowment to be up to 3.5% of the trailing 20 quarters market value as determined each December 31st.

To request more information or to discuss your fund, please contact Jennifer Williamson, Faith Partnership and Planned Giving Associate, at (414) 391-5058 or jennifer.williamson@lsswis.org.

Current LSS Foundation, Inc. Endowment Funds

Marian and James Albrecht Fund

This fund was created in 1993 “to honor the memory of Marian Albrecht and to continue the faithful Christian witness of James and Marian Albrecht in caring for people through the ministry of LSS.”

Lottie Bierman Fund

This fund was created in 2007 from a bequest from the Lottie Bierman Estate.

Children’s Ambassador Fund

Established with gifts from multiple donors, this fund supports LSS child welfare programs.

Leona Cloud Fund

This fund was established in 2002 with a bequest of $1 million from Leona Cloud to inspire others “to give what they can to the good works of the Lutheran Social Services.”

Robert and Marilyn Duea Endowment Fund

This fund was created by Marilyn and Robert Duea in 1999 to support new and ongoing programs of LSS. The Dueas were strong friends and leaders at LSS with Bob serving as President and CEO of the agency from 1985 to 2002.

Esther Erickson Fox Endowment Fund

This fund was created in 2004 by Allen Fox of Sparta, WI to honor his mother Esther by supporting programs that encourage and strengthen families.

Benjamin A. Gjenvick Faith in Service Fund

This fund was created in 1985 in honor and memory of the long, exemplary, and dedicated leadership of Rev. Benjamin A. Gjenvick, President and CEO of LSS from 1953 until his death in 1985.

Diane Grice Endowment Fund

Established in 2000 by family and friends, this fund is in memory of Diane Grice, who passed away at age 44 before being able to pursue adoption with her husband.

Paul and Elaine Groth Endowment Fund

This fund was established in memory of Paul Groth, former LSS Board member, and his wife, Elaine. Both were killed in an automobile accident on April 30, 1997.

Steven Roger Hack Voices for Youth Endowment Fund

This fund was established in 1993 by the family of Steven Roger Hack and supported by friends and members of the community to support the many LSS programs benefitting youth and families.

Verdayne T. John Endowment Fund

This fund was created in 1994 in memory of Verdayne T. John to support LSS programs.

Maroti Family Endowment Fund

This fund was created in 2011 by friends and family of Bela and Julie Maroti to provide annual operational support for LSS behavioral health services. A. Bela Maroti was the Founder of the DePaul Hospital and Foundation which became the LSS Foundation, Inc.

Joan A. Paulson Fund

This fund is the result of a bequest in 2015 “in honor of Joan Paulson, English teacher and differently abled, to establish an endowment to support LSS programs.”

Martinus E and Vera Silseth LSS Endowment Fund

This fund was created in 1994 by the Silseth family to honor the long and faithful service of “Marty” and Vera to the caring work and ministry of LSS. The purpose is to support new and ongoing programs of LSS.

Gary and Terri Steinhauer Endowment Fund

This fund was established in 2014 to provide “a permanent income stream to support the charitable purposes of LSS.”

Carolyn J. Stockbridge Homme Staff Development Fund

This fund was created in 2016 from a bequest by Carolyn Stockbridge, who retired from LSS as the principal for the Visions School at the Homme Youth and Family Programs. Carrie dedicated her life to the mission of LSS, sharing that she was called spiritually and professionally to improve the lives of youth that other often wanted to remove from their educational settings. The purpose is to support professional development for Homme Youth and Family Programs staff.

Get More Information

Jennifer Photo for FDN Web
Jennifer Williamson

Faith Partnership and Planned Giving Associate

(414) 391-5058

jennifer.williamson@lsswis.org

thumbnail_Paul Peterson
Paul Peterson

Regional Donor Advisor

(262) 606-8993

Paul.Peterson@lsswis.org