Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Eno River Fellowship Foundation

• Past Foundation Projects

• Your Foundation Proposal

• How You Can Help
  the Foundation Grow

• ERFF Board Members

• Grant Proposal Form

What is the Eno River Fellowship Foundation?

The Foundation is a permanent endowment fund that was created to provide financial support for the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. The Foundation's assets provide a lasting way to ensure the future of our shared values and beliefs. The Foundation is a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, separate from ERUUF, with its own Board of Directors drawn from ERUUF members. Current assets exceed $600,000 and we are required to disburse 5% of assets each year, all in support of ERUUF.

How the Foundation Operates

 The Foundation supports ERUUF by funding grant applications that are submitted by members, staff, and committees. Funds are not provided for normal operating expenses but rather for special items that enhance and assist Fellowship activities. Grant amounts range from under $100 to over $5000. Recently funded projects include: 

• An upgrade to the sound recording capabilities in the sanctuary.
• Landscaping for the campus.
• A popcorn machine for movie nights and other social events.
• Recycling containers.
• A sign for the CARE table.
• A contribution toward ERUUF's support for a Habitat house.

Click the Past Foundation Projects link on the left for more information about how Foundation grants have been used. 

The Grants Process 

The grants process operates on an annual cycle. Preliminary applications are due in September at which time the Foundation board meets to discuss the applications. A board member is assigned to work with each applicant to fine tune the application. Final applications are due in October and final funding decisions are made by the end of that month. Click the link Your Foundation Proposal on the left for more information.

The Foundation’s History

In 1988 Bill and Fran Hollister expressed a wish to build a memorial garden at ERUUF’s “new” and permanent site on Garrett Road. The expense of the garden and its continuous care would require a fund of money that was not represented in the annual operating budget. A group of ERUUF leaders considered the options available to the Fellowship and a structure that would support the memorial garden plus other projects at ERUUF. The result of their efforts was the creation of the Foundation, to accommodate and facilitate the memorial garden project, and to assure the Fellowship’s financial support in perpetuity.

Those founding members were: Shirley Collins, Kay Edgar, Clara Yager, Rick Searles, Gene Magat, Charles Milone and Russ Schulke. Joining in the next year to help expand the Foundation’s development were: Gil Yager, Linda Brown and Rich Hammer.

Original donors to the Foundation included Ivor and Shirley Collins, Rick and Georgie Searles, Gene and Phyllis Magat, Philip and Helen Pratt, Warren and Joan Ganong, Margaret Hudson, Bill and Fran Hollister, Bob and Maggie Behn.

Through outright gifts, bequests, and return on investments, the fund grew to $35,000 in four years, at which point the Foundation board set a goal to reach $100,000 by the year 2000. This goal has been surpassed. By 2005 the Foundation’s endorsement value had reached $240,000 and as the result of a major bequest, passed $600,000 in 2007.

For more information, see How You Can Help the Foundation Grow 

(ERUUF Homepage)