How Annual Giving, Church Funds, and Legacy Generosity Work Together to Sustain and Extend the Ministry of Second Presbyterian Church

At Second Presbyterian Church, generosity supports far more than a budget. It supports worship, mission, care, education, outreach, infrastructure, and the ongoing life of a congregation seeking to serve faithfully in its community and beyond.

Over time, many thoughtful questions naturally arise:

How is the church funded?
What are all the different funds?
How do annual giving and church funds work together?
And if the church has significant resources, why does annual giving still matter?

These are important questions and understanding them more clearly helps all of us participate more thoughtfully in the shared life and mission of the church.

This guide is intended to help provide that understanding.

Stewardship as Participation

At Second Presbyterian, stewardship is not understood primarily as fundraising. It is understood as participation:

in the life of the church,
in the work God is doing through this congregation,
and in the shared responsibility of sustaining and extending that work together.

Financial giving is one important expression of that participation—but not the only one.

Understanding how the church’s resources work together helps all of us participate more thoughtfully, faithfully, and generously in that shared ministry.

How Giving Works at Second Presbyterian

At its most basic level, the life of the church is financially supported in two primary and interconnected ways:

Annual Giving (Pledges and Offerings)
Church Funds (Endowed and Designated Gifts)

Both are essential, but they serve different purposes. Understanding that difference is key.

How Annual Giving and Church Funds Work Together

A helpful way to think about it:

Annual Giving provides the foundation
- supporting the church’s ongoing, essential ministry
Church Funds provide expansion
- extending what the church can do beyond its base

Both are necessary:

Without annual giving, the church cannot sustain its core ministry.
Without church funds, the church would lose much of its flexibility and extended impact.

1. Annual Giving: The Church's Operating Life

Each year, the church leadership creates a budget that supports the church’s ongoing life and ministry. That includes:

Pastoral leadership and care
Support staff
Worship and music
Children, youth, and adult formation and programming
Mission commitments and outreach
Day-to-day operations
Facilities, maintenance, and utilities

This is the living, breathing work of the church…week by week, month by month.

The budget is primarily funded by the annual pledges and financial support from members of the church. Simply put: Annual giving supports the work and witness expected of a congregation our size.

Why Pledging Matters

Each fall, the church holds a Stewardship Campaign and invites church supporters to make a pledge—an estimate of what they hope to give in the coming year.

A pledge is not a binding contract. It is simply a way of saying: “This is how I hope to participate in the coming year.”

Pledges help church leadership plan responsibly. They provide guidance for budgeting, staffing, programming, mission commitments, and the ongoing work of the church. Even as giving patterns change, pledging remains an important expression of shared commitment and participation in the church’s life together.

A Changing Culture of Giving

Like many churches, we are experiencing shifts:

Some choose to give in different or non-traditional ways.
Some prefer flexibility over long-term commitments.

At the same time:

As our church and ministries continue to grow, costs continue to rise.
The need for thoughtful and strategic planning remains important.
Reliable estimates of future giving help church leaders make responsible decisions about staffing, ministry commitments, facilities, and outreach.

These shifts invite the church to think carefully and creatively about how stewardship is understood,
communicated, and practiced in a changing culture.

An Invitation to Participate

This year’s stewardship theme is: “We Are Needed”

This is not simply about finances. It reflects something deeper:

The church is sustained by people, not just resources.
Giving is one way we participate in something larger than ourselves.
Every contribution, pledged or un-pledged, matters.

The ongoing life of the church depends on the active participation of its members.

2. Church Funds: A Legacy of Generosity

Over many decades, members of Second Presbyterian Church have made gifts beyond their annual giving through special gifts and bequests. These gifts—often given in memory, in gratitude, or as part of a legacy—have created what we call Church Funds. These funds have grown over the years due to responsible investing and management, and additional gifts.

Each fund is typically:

Designated for a specific purpose, or
Structured to support an area of ministry.

These funds support things such as:

Additional outreach and mission efforts
Education and faith formation
Special initiatives and emerging opportunities
Facilities enhancements and long-term needs
Long-term sustainability

Additional information about these funds may be found in Appendix One: Current Funds of Second Presbyterian Church.

Why These Funds Matter

These funds are one of the church’s great strengths as they quietly support many aspects of the church’s ministry and outreach that might otherwise not be possible. They allow the church to:

Extend its ministry beyond the annual budget.
Respond to new opportunities.
Sustain long-term initiatives.
Strengthen its mission for future generations.

But they are not a replacement for annual giving. Instead: Church funds support work and witness that go above and beyond what a church our size could otherwise do.

Considering Legacy Giving

Just as previous generations have helped build the church through their generosity, many members have chosen to support the church through legacy giving as part of their long-term stewardship and care for future generations. Legacy giving can include:

Naming the church in a will.
Contributing to an existing fund.
Establishing a new fund aligned with your passions.

These gifts:

Strengthen the church for future generations.
Expand its ministry.
Continue a long tradition of generosity.

A Commitment to Clarity

As our church continues to grow in understanding and stewardship, one priority has become increasingly clear: “The role of funds in support of outreach and missions needs to be effectively communicated to the congregation.”

For many of us, gaining a clearer understanding of these resources deepens both our appreciation and our sense of participation in the church’s mission.

Additional Ways People Participate

In addition to annual giving and legacy generosity, members and friends of Second Presbyterian also participate in the church’s mission through other forms of giving. These may include:

Outreach offerings that support local and global mission partners.
Gifts to specific ministries or designated funds connected to particular areas of care or interest.
Memorial and honorary gifts given in gratitude for the lives and witness of others.
Special project support and seasonal initiatives that respond to particular needs or opportunities.

These gifts do not replace annual giving, but they deepen and extend the church’s ministry. Together, they help support the church’s present work, its broader mission and outreach, and its long-term future.

Additional information about the church’s Service and Outreach partnerships may be found in Appendix Two: Service and Outreach Partnerships at Second Presbyterian Church.

Growing in Understanding

For many people, this can feel complex at first. That’s okay. Understanding how the church’s finances work is a process…and an important one.

As a church, we are committed to:

Greater clarity and transparency
Helping members understand how resources are used
Inviting thoughtful participation at every level

Clear understanding strengthens thoughtful participation, deepens trust, and helps us more fully appreciate the shared ministry we support together.

Closing Thought

Second Presbyterian Church is sustained by both:

Faithful, ongoing giving
A remarkable legacy of generosity

Together, these make possible a ministry that is:

vibrant in the present
and hopeful for the future

And that work continues… through all of us.

Appendices

Appendix 1 Current Funds of Second Presbyterian Church

The following is a list of current funds that support the life and ministry of Second Presbyterian Church.

Each of these funds has been established through the generosity of church members over time, often through memorial gifts, designated contributions, or legacy giving. Together, they represent a remarkable expression of faith, commitment, and care for the future of the church.

While not all of these funds are used for general operating expenses, they play an important role in supporting specific ministries, outreach efforts, educational programs, and long-term needs.

Each fund also includes its own purpose, governance structure, and spending policy designed to help ensure that these resources are used faithfully, responsibly, and in ways that honor the intentions of those who established them.

This list is offered as a resource for those who would like a fuller understanding of how these funds contribute to the mission and work of the church.

GUIDE TO SPENDING POLICIES:

SP1: Annual distributions are generally limited to approximately 5% of the fund’s three-year rolling average value and are intended to be fully distributed each year.
SP2: Annual distributions are generally limited to approximately 5% of the fund’s three-year rolling average value, but unused amounts may be carried forward for future needs.
AN: No fixed annual spending formula. Funds are distributed as needed for their designated purpose.
IO: Funds are received and distributed directly for designated purposes rather than maintained as long-term endowed funds.

Benevolences, Mission and Outreach

Mountain Avenue Fund (SP1): Provides annual support for local ministries dealing with homelessness, poverty, hunger, and at-risk children beyond what is funded through the church’s annual operating budget. The fund is overseen by the Session and distributed according to guidelines established by the donors. Support is directed toward organizations and ministries serving local community needs.
Anne and Granger Macfarlane Grant (SP1): Supports vulnerable individuals and families in the spirit of the Mountain Avenue Fund. The fund is administered through the church’s outreach leadership and pastoral discretion to respond to identified needs within the community.
Lil Brown Benevolent Fund (within Second Fund) (SP1): Responds to needs related to mental health and benevolent care. Distributions are made through the governance structure of Second Fund and the Session.
Help Fund (AN): Provides assistance for immediate or emergency needs at the discretion of the pastoral staff. This fund allows the church to respond quickly and compassionately to urgent situations involving individuals or families in need.
Gene and Treva Richter Fund for Outreach & Education (SP1): Supports outreach and educational ministries within and beyond the church, including vocational guidance and educational opportunities. Requests for the use of the fund may originate through the Service and Outreach Committee, Christian Education Committee, or pastoral staff, with final approval by the Session.

Christian Education

H. Spencer Edmunds Fund (SP2): Supports the Edmunds Lecture Series, bringing nationally and internationally recognized speakers to Second Presbyterian Church for theological reflection, Biblical teaching, and congregational inspiration. The fund supports educational programming approved through the church’s educational and pastoral leadership.
Kittye Susan Trent Fund (SP2): Supports a broad range of educational ministries, leadership development, scholarships, conferences, and initiatives serving both Second Presbyterian Church and the larger church. The fund is administered under Session oversight and has become one of the church’s most significant educational and leadership resources.
Johnson Memorial Fund (Trustees) (AN): Provides educational assistance for students preparing for ministry or other forms of religious service. The fund is administered through the Trustees in accordance with the intentions of the original gift.
Payne Scholarship Fund (Trustees) (AN): Provides scholarships for members attending Union Presbyterian Seminary and support for Presbyterian Homes ministries. The fund is administered through the Trustees under the guidance of the church.
William R. Klein Continuing Education Fund (AN): Supports continuing education, sabbaticals, conferences, and professional development opportunities for preaching staff. The fund encourages ongoing learning, renewal, and growth in pastoral leadership.
George and Millie Anderson Cornerstone Fund for Pastoral Excellence (SP2): Supports pastoral excellence through preaching, teaching, pastoral care, leadership development, and transformational ministry initiatives. Proposals for use originate with the Senior Minister and require approval by the Session.

Congregational Ministry

Music Fund (SP2): Supports special music programs, guest musicians, concerts, and other musical opportunities that enrich the worship life of the congregation. The fund is administered through the church’s worship and music leadership.
Music Maintenance Fund (AN): Supports the maintenance, repair, and preservation of musical instruments owned and used by Second Presbyterian Church, including organs, pianos, and handbells. The fund is overseen by the Session with input from music staff, the Worship and Music Committee, and church leadership.
Preschool Fund (SP2): Supports capital improvements, educational resources, and program needs for Second Presbyterian Preschool. Funding proposals originate through the Preschool Committee and require review by the Finance Committee and approval by the Session.
Martin Youth Fund (SP2): Founded in 2025 by Frank and Martha Clay Martin, based on their desire to devote funds to offer more focused support for the youth of the church. Supports youth and young adult ministry, including retreats, mission experiences, educational materials, scholarships, staffing support, and ministry initiatives. The fund is overseen by the Session with input from the Christian Education Committee and pastoral staff involved in youth ministry.
Youth Mission Fund (within Second Fund) (AN): Supports youth mission trips and provides assistance for youth participation in mission experiences. The fund operates within the governance structure of Second Fund and supports the church’s commitment to youth formation through service and mission.

Facilities and Operational Expenses

Columbarium Fund (AN): Provides for the long-term care, maintenance, and preservation of the church Columbarium. The fund helps ensure ongoing stewardship of the Columbarium for future generations.
Donald and Elizabeth Parsons Maintenance Fund (SP1): Supports church maintenance needs and operational expenses related to the care and preservation of church facilities. The fund assists the church in responsibly maintaining its physical campus and infrastructure.
Alexa House Fund (AN): Supports the maintenance and preservation of Alexa House while it continues to be used for mission purposes. The fund is overseen through the Property Committee under Session guidance.

Long-term Viability

Second Fund (SP2): Second Fund is a separately incorporated fund established to support the church’s religious, charitable, benevolent, educational, and mission purposes, as well as long-term sustainability and special initiatives. Through its governance structure and designated sub-funds, Second Fund helps provide flexibility and long-range support for ministries and opportunities that extend beyond the annual operating budget.

Closing Reflection

Together, these funds represent far more than financial accounts. They reflect decades of generosity, faithfulness, vision, and trust from members who believed deeply in the ministry and mission of Second Presbyterian Church.

Some funds sustain worship and congregational life. Others strengthen outreach, education, music, youth ministry, facilities, or pastoral leadership. Still others help position the church to respond faithfully to future opportunities and needs.

In every case, these resources exist not simply to preserve the church, but to support and extend its ministry for generations to come.

Appendix 2 Service and Outreach Partnerships at Second Presbyterian Church

Second Presbyterian Church supports a wide range of ministries and mission partners locally, nationally, and globally through financial support, volunteer engagement, outreach offerings, designated funds, and long-standing relationships developed over many years.

These partnerships reflect the church’s conviction that stewardship is not only about sustaining congregational life, but also about participating in God’s work beyond the walls of the church.

Worship, congregational care, education, fellowship, and spiritual formation create the foundation from which the church’s broader mission grows. As George Anderson, Senior Pastor, has observed: The root system is what we do for each other…there is no outreach to the world without that root system.

In turn, outreach and mission become visible expressions of the church’s shared life, compassion, and witness.

Some ministries are supported through annual budgeted giving and church funds. Others are highlighted through monthly outreach offerings and “Minute for Mission” partnerships that allow members and friends of the congregation to respond directly to particular needs and opportunities throughout the year.

Together, these partnerships help express the congregation’s ongoing commitment:

to serve faithfully,
to strengthen the community,
to respond compassionately to human need,
and to participate meaningfully in the work God is doing in the world.

Monthly Outreach Offerings (“Minute for Mission”)

Each month, Second Presbyterian highlights a ministry partner during worship through a “Minute for Mission” presentation. Representatives from these ministries share about their work, express gratitude for the church’s support, and help the congregation better understand the needs being addressed in the community and beyond.

During that month, undesignated offering plate gifts (“loose offering”) are directed toward that ministry. This practice provides members and visitors an additional opportunity to participate directly in specific mission efforts and helps maintain an ongoing relationship between the congregation and its ministry partners.

Hunger, Housing, and Basic Needs:

Presbyterian Community Center (PCC): Second Presbyterian has supported the Presbyterian Community Center since its founding in 1967. PCC addresses homelessness and poverty in southeast Roanoke through emergency financial assistance, food access, after-school education, spiritual development, and community partnerships. The church supports PCC financially and through ongoing food drives, youth involvement, and volunteer engagement.
Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM): Roanoke Area Ministries provides shelter services, meals, and emergency assistance for individuals facing homelessness and hunger. Second Presbyterian has supported RAM since 2000 through financial contributions and volunteer participation.
Feeding Southwest Virginia: Feeding Southwest Virginia addresses food insecurity throughout the region through food distribution, meal preparation, and community partnerships. Volunteers from Second Presbyterian assist with food packing and distribution efforts.
Society of St. Andrew (SoSA): Supported by Second Presbyterian since 1993, Society of St. Andrew gleans and distributes fresh produce to organizations serving those experiencing food insecurity. Members participate through gleaning projects, food packing, sewing reusable produce bags, and devotional writing.
Habitat for Humanity of Roanoke: Second Presbyterian has partnered with Habitat for Humanity since 1993 through Apostles Build projects and home sponsorships. Habitat seeks to eliminate substandard housing through home construction, rehabilitation, and advocacy for affordable housing.
Family Promise of Greater Roanoke: Family Promise supports families with children who are experiencing homelessness through shelter, case management, and stabilization programs. Since 2004, Second Presbyterian has hosted and supported families through meals, hospitality, and volunteer care at Alexa House.
Rescue Mission Drumstick Dash: Each year, Second Presbyterian sponsors and participates in the Rescue Mission’s Drumstick Dash in support of hunger relief and meal programs throughout the Roanoke Valley.

Children, Youth, and Educational Support:

Child Health Investment Partnership (CHIP): CHIP of Roanoke Valley provides early childhood home visitation and healthcare support for underserved families. Second Presbyterian has supported CHIP since the early 2000s through volunteer involvement and financial support.
Kids Soar: Kids Soar is a faith-based literacy and mentoring organization focused on helping children and families break cycles of poverty through education and reading support.
West End Center: Supported by Second Presbyterian since 1997, West End Center serves children in Roanoke’s West End neighborhoods through academic support, social development, and wellness education.
Congregations in Action (CIA): Congregations in Action is a partnership among downtown and southwest Roanoke congregations supporting Highland Park Elementary School through tutoring, mentoring, Pack-a-Snack programs, and community events.
Camp Eagle / Cool Springs Partnership: Second Presbyterian supports Cool Springs Presbyterian Church’s sponsorship of at-risk children attending Camp Eagle in Fincastle, Virginia.

Health, Recovery, and Mental Wellness:

Bradley Free Clinic: The Bradley Free Clinic provides free medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to uninsured and underinsured individuals in the Roanoke Valley. Second Presbyterian supports the clinic’s behavioral health programs and volunteer efforts.
Family Service of Roanoke Valley: Family Service provides mental wellness and counseling services for youth and adults throughout the Roanoke Valley. Members support the organization through volunteer projects and donations.
Super Hero Kids: Super Hero Kids provides peer-supported therapy programs for children and youth affected by domestic violence. Second Presbyterian supports the program through volunteer engagement and assistance at Sabrina’s Place.
Turning Point: Turning Point provides shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and support services for survivors of domestic and family violence. Second Presbyterian supports Turning Point through volunteer service and financial support.

Incarceration and Reentry Ministries:

Assisting Families of Inmates (AFOI): Since 1995, Second Presbyterian has hosted video visitation opportunities for families of incarcerated individuals through Alexa House. Volunteers help welcome and support participating families.
Roanoke City Jail Ministry: Second Presbyterian has supported Roanoke City Jail Ministry since its founding in 1967. The ministry offers prayer, encouragement, Bibles, and pastoral care to inmates and jail staff throughout the Roanoke Valley.
House of Bread: House of Bread supports formerly incarcerated women through job training, mentoring, and transitional support as they reintegrate into society. Second Presbyterian has partnered with House of Bread since 2017.

Presbyterian and Denominational Partnerships:

Beth-El Farmworker Ministry: Second Presbyterian supports Beth-El Farmworker Ministry as part of its broader national mission commitments, serving migrant and seasonal farmworkers through advocacy, worship, and community support.
Union Presbyterian Seminary: Union Presbyterian Seminary equips Christian leaders for ministry and service in the church and world. Second Presbyterian has long supported theological education and leadership formation within the Presbyterian tradition.
Massanetta Springs Conference Center: Massanetta Springs provides retreat, conference, and camp opportunities focused on spiritual renewal, hospitality, and Christian formation.
Montreat Conference Center: Montreat Conference Center serves the broader church through conferences, worship, youth events, continuing education, and outdoor ministry opportunities.
Trent and Cornerstone Programs for Pastoral Formation: Second Presbyterian’s Trent programs, including the Kittye Susan Trent Symposium for Newly Ordained Ministers, provide encouragement, education, and support for new pastors within the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Presbyterian Church (USA) and Governing Bodies: Second Presbyterian contributes financially to the work of the Presbytery of the Peaks, the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, and the Presbyterian Church (USA), supporting broader mission, ministry, and connectional life throughout the denomination.

International Mission Partnerships:

Solid Rock International / Dominican Republic Partnership: Since 2006, Second Presbyterian Church has partnered with Solid Rock International and Dominican ministry partners serving communities in and around San Juan de la Maguana in the Dominican Republic. This long-term relationship reflects the church’s commitment to global mission through medical care, construction, education, spiritual encouragement, and sustained partnership.

Over the years, the church has participated in several ways:

- Medical and Construction Teams: Annual mission teams have provided medical clinics, surgical support, prosthetic assistance, and construction projects serving vulnerable communities throughout the region.
- REVOLUTION Clinic Construction: Second Presbyterian has contributed volunteers, financial support, and leadership toward the construction of a new medical clinic and hospital facility designed to improve long-term healthcare access in the region. Church member Ken Potter lived in San Juan for several years to assist with oversight and cost management during the project.
- Bibles & Bricks Mission Trips: Youth and adult teams travel regularly to the Dominican Republic to lead Vacation Bible School programs, participate in construction projects, and build relationships with local communities and ministry partners.

This partnership reflects the congregation’s ongoing commitment to long-term relational mission, practical service, and global Christian partnership.

Final Reflection

The ministries, partnerships, funds, and outreach efforts described in this document represent more than programs or financial structures. Together, they reflect a congregation seeking to participate faithfully in the work God is doing within the church, throughout the community, and beyond.

Some members participate through worship and service.
Some through volunteering, prayer, or leadership.
Some through annual giving, outreach offerings, church funds, or legacy gifts.
Many participate through a combination of all these expressions of stewardship.

Over time, these shared acts of generosity and participation have enabled Second Presbyterian Church not only to sustain its ongoing ministry, but also to extend its reach in ways that would not otherwise be possible.

At the center of that shared support is annual giving, which provides the primary foundation for the church’s ongoing worship, care, formation, outreach, staffing, facilities, and day-to-day ministry. Other forms of generosity, including church funds, outreach offerings, designated gifts, and legacy giving—extend and strengthen that foundation, making possible ministries and opportunities that might otherwise remain beyond the church’s reach.

Understanding how these various forms of giving and support work together helps reveal a larger picture: that stewardship is not simply about maintaining an institution, but about joining together in a shared calling to serve, care, teach, encourage, and respond faithfully to the needs of the world around us.