Kirk in the Hills is funded through two primary sources: 1. the operating budget generated by the annual stewardship of members and friends and 2. withdrawals from the endowed funds created by the generosity of members and friends. Endowed funds differ from operating funds in two crucial aspects.

First, each endowed fund is intended for use by the Kirk in perpetuity. The principal is invested in assets that will earn interest, dividends, and capital gains. But the principal is not intended to be spent, even as its value grows. The Board of Trustees, as part of their responsibility to preserve and protect the assets of the Kirk, periodically assesses the appropriate level of distributions from each fund.
 
The second differentiating aspect is that endowed funds are established with intended purposes as specified by the original donor or subsequent donors of that fund and must be used exclusively for those purposes.

There are currently 23 different endowed funds. Donors can contribute to those existing funds at any time in any amount or, with specified minimum contributions, establish a new fund.

To give you an idea of what funds we have, and what kinds of new funds can be set up, some of the Kirk’s funds are outlined below.

Maintenance and Facilities

• Facilities Endowment Fund - This fund is used for repair, preservation, and restoration of the Kirk facilities and grounds and certain associated operating expenses.
• DeWindt Altar Garden - This fund is used to maintain and care for the Altar Garden north of the Sanctuary.
• Gardens Fund - This fund is used for landscaping, plantings, and care of the gardens.
• Columbarium Endowment Fund - This fund is used for the maintenance of and restoration to the Columbarium.
• Jessica M. And Robert L. Kelly Memorial Endowment Fund - Originally established in 1992 by a bequest from the estate of Jessica M. Kelly, this fund is used to maintain the grounds and edifice of the Kirk in the Hills at its present location.
• Bells of Blessing Fund - This fund is used to maintain the Bells of Blessing bells, as budgeted and allocated through the Facilities Budget.  This fund was originally established in 2000 by gifts from Mr. and Mrs. Karl Scott in memory of their daughter Deborah Jean, who died in an automobile accident at the age of 16, and by gifts from the Scott's daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Southwood Morcott, and by gifts from and in memory of Ruth Peterson.  

Music

• Music Endowment Fund - This fund is used for equipment, music, recital series, or other programmatic expenditures.
• DeWindt Special Music Fund - (Harold C. DeWindt Memorial Fund):  This fund is used for special music in worship once or twice a year in memory of Dr. DeWindt.  This fund was created by agreement with Mrs. DeWindt.
• Marriot Memorial Fund - This fund is used to fund one concert or recital each year in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Marriott.
• Hofley Family Special Music Endowment Fund - This fund was created by Norman and Carole S. Hofley in 2016.  This fund is for special concerts, choir events, and music that compliments the worship of Kirk in the Hills.

Adult Education

• Adult Education Fund - This fund is used to support the educational program as administered by the Adult Ministry Committee.
• Roger M. Kyes Endowed Lectureship - This fund is used for the Kyes Lectureship, bringing outstanding preachers and teachers to the Kirk each year in memory of Roger M. Kyes.

Youth and Children

• Youth Ministry Endowment Fund - This fund is used to help underwrite the cost of youth ministry.
• Henry C. and Celeste L. Hall Endowment Fund - This fund is used to further the Christian Education of the children and youth of the Kirk.

Outreach and Mission 

• Paul J. Lay and Carol Lockwood Lay Endowment Fund - This fund was established in  2007 by Paul and Carol Lay.  This fund is used for new churches and new mission development or redevelopment and transformation.
• Outreach/Mission Endowment Fund - This fund was established in 2007 with a gift from the Viola R. Tetrault Trust by agreement with her family.  This fund is used to support the Outreach and Mission program of the Kirk.
• DeWindt Harrington / Theological Endowment Fund - This fund is used for Theological education and to provide grants to Kirk members who are pursuing a Theological education.  This fund was originally established by Madge Harrington in memory of Dr. DeWindt.  
• The Eleanor U. and Thomas E. O’Hara Fund - This fund was created in 1997 with a gift from Thomas O’Hara for the establishment and operations of a program at the Kirk where works of various Christian missions will be featured.

Pastoral

• Current Ministry Endowment Fund - This fund is used to provide support for current ministries of the Kirk.
• Pastoral Endowment Fund - This fund is used for compensation for one or more of the Kirk pastoral staff and may be used for the Bill Robinson Residency for New Pastors, the Jim Anderson Fellowship for Congregational Care, or the Glenn Miller Fellowship for Children and Youth Music.

Other Aspects of the Kirk's Ministry

• McKeen Technology Fund - Created in 2014 by Mr. and Mrs. Alexander McKeen, this fund is  used to support technologies and technology infrastructure of the Kirk.
• Miller Communication Fund - This fund was created by Bruce and Terri Miller in 2010.  This fund is used for marketing communications projects targeted at recruitment and retention of membership.  
• Deacon Fund - This fund is used to support the work of the Deacons.