TVUUC Endowment Fund
The Endowment Fund helps build a strong financial foundation for the future of TVUUC while also providing annual support for special projects and programs that advance the congregation’s mission.
Established by the Congregation in 1994, the Fund was created to strengthen the long-term financial stability of the church and “to ensure that Unitarian Universalist principles are lifted up and applied in the Knoxville region in perpetuity.”
Unlike contributions made through the church’s annual stewardship campaign, gifts to the Endowment Fund are not used for current operating expenses. Instead, they are invested to provide lasting support for future generations.
The Fund grows through both prudent investment management and the generosity of TVUUC members and friends who contribute through lifetime gifts, memorial donations, and bequests in their wills and estate plans.
Each year, Congregation’s elected Endowment Fund Committee allocates a portion of the Fund’s earnings to support special projects and programs that extend beyond the scope of the annual operating budget. These grants help make possible initiatives that enrich congregational life, strengthen our ministries, and furthur our mission in the broader community. See photos and descriptions of projects funded through the Endowment Fund.
As TVUUC member Marion Von Beck reminds us, “Every little bit helps, and many little bits add up to a lot.” Through many gifts, large and small, the Endowment Fund continues to create a lasting legacy that will support TVUUC for years to come.
Need Funds for Your Project or Program?
Funding is now available from the TVUUC Endowment Fund for non-routine projects and programs in calendar year 2026. Approximately $27,000 may be available for distribution.
The Endowment Fund Committee has issued this Request for Proposals, which explains what can be supported by the Endowment Fund.
If you have an idea for a project or program that meets the funding guidelines, then please consider submitting a proposal using this Endowment Fund Proposal Form. Church committees, church staff, and individual members are all eligible to submit proposals. The deadline for proposals is Oct. 31, 2025.
See a list of TVUUC members and friends who have helped build the Endowment Fund.
See this page to learn:
- How to give,
- How to target your gift, and
- How to honor or memorialize a person or a cause you cherish.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the Endowment Fund — or suggestions for the Endowment Fund Committee — please email us at endowment(AT)tvuuc.org or contact Richard Davis at 865-250-3242.