Endowment-Funded Projects

When you donate to the TVUUC Endowment Fund, you are not only ensuring the future of TVUUC. You are also supporting projects made possible by earnings from the Fund.

Every Year: Earnings from the Endowment Fund help maintain the TVUUC Memorial Garden.

2023: Our Whole Lives (OWL): The Endowment Fund facilitated the resumption and expansion of this lifespan sexuality education program by funding a “train the trainers” workshop with out-of-town facilitators approved by the Unitarian Universalist Association. Pictured are the trainers as well as the volunteers from TVUUC and sister congregations who will be teaching the program in various locations. The weekend workshop took place in September of 2023. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, Our Whole Lives provides accurate, age-appropriate factual information while also helping participants clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.

Funded in 2020, Completed in 2022

Mission & History Display: The newly installed, high-resolution monitor in the church lobby provides newcomers and members with a vivid visual display of the programs, people, and history of TVUUC. Presentations will change out periodically, drawing not only on a new digital photo archive but also on new photographs captured by church members. Thanks to Beauvais Lyons and Ted Jones for execution, and to John & Kathy Bohstedt for the initial concept. 

Religious Education: Earnings from the RE and General sub-funds financed the first upgrade to the nursery space since the church was built, improving safety, storage, and welcoming & engaging elements inside the nursery. In addition, RE staff was able to replace weathered and damaged playground riding toys, purchase recreational equipment for older youth, and provide a secure weatherproof storage shed to store outdoor play equipment and toys. Thanks to RE staff (Catherine and Miriam) and all of the volunteers who worked on these projects.

2022: Two projects were funded for CY 2022.

8^th Principle Workshops: The Endowment Fund will underwrite a series of workshops around the concept of working toward a multicultural community. The workshops will be sponsored by the 8^th Principle Task Force.

Sanctuary Reorientation: To make it possible to live-stream services in the original Sanctuary orientation (podium under the light scoop and choir around the organ), this project calls for one additional camera, relocating another camera, and more stage lighting.

2021: Technology for Streaming Sunday Services: Endowment funds were deployed for the purchase and installation of cameras and other equipment needed to live-stream Sunday services, making it possible to reach those who could not attend in person due to illness, disability or illness.

2020: For 2020 projects, the Endowment Fund Committee solicited proposals from across the entire Congregation. Some of those proposals were funded, along with emergency needs due to the pandemic.

Video Production / Live Streaming / Virtual Meetings: When the pandemic closed the church in March of 2020, emergency funds were needed to enable online services and meetings. The Fund paid for a video camera, tripod, and upgrades to the wireless network inside the church. Also included: an annual Zoom subscription that made it possible to hold webinars and virtual board and committee meetings.

Storage Shed: A chain-link fence that secured ladders and other equipment was located just outside the rear lobby doors. But the fence had to be removed to build the patio (see below). The new shed (located to the left of the rear double doors) now provides the storage space and security needed for this equipment.

Building Retrofits: Funds were allocated to help purchase hand sanitizer stations and touchless faucets that helped ensure our health when the building was reopened following the worst of the pandemic.

2019: The Welcome Garden: The wildflower garden along Kingston Pike was proposed by Doris Gove as a welcoming place for members and visitors, and a learning lab for children. With the help of volunteers, Doris continues to enlarge and beautify this corner of the church grounds.

2018: The Fellowship Patio: This new patio of permeable pavers, just outside the Greg McKendry Fellowship Hall, was proposed (and largely implemented!) by Barbara Lamm. And it was Barbara who mounted a fund-raising drive to buy the furniture!

2017: Technology Upgrade: New wireless infrastructure, video screens in the Fellowship Hall, the Lizzie Crozier-French room, the lobby, and classrooms, and a tablet for RE. Thanks especially to Claudia Pressley and Daniel Buchanan.

2016: 20th Anniversary Project: A new sound system for the sanctuary, digital and wireless. Proposed by then music director Leslie Gengozian and the Music Committee; the project was implemented by Leslie with the help of Bill Dabbs and others.

Click here to learn about ways to donate to the Endowment Fund.