Throughout our Church’s history, its members and friends have made charitable gifts to secure a strong future for our liberal religion and beloved Church. Each generation has helped to advance Unitarian Universalism and strengthen the First UU Church of San Diego by various means of gifting -- current gifts of cash, real estate, and securities, and planned bequests from wills, trusts, IRAs, 401ks, and other retirement plans, gifts of life insurance, and through other gifting arrangements, such as the UUA Pooled Income Fund and UUA Charitable Gift Annuity Fund.See more about these on the Planned Giving page.
Our church created the Channing Society to recognize, honor and thank the generous individuals who have made or arrange to make a lasting contribution to the First UU Church’s long-term financial survival and health. The Channing Society is named after
William Ellery Channing (1780-1842), a noted Unitarian minister, poet, and author.
Members of the Channing Society have their names placed on a magnificent sculpture entitled "Sustainers of the Flame" that is located on the south wall of our meeting house sanctuary. In addition, events are hosted annually by the Planned Giving Committee to recognize the generosity of the Channing members.
Membership in the Channing Society is conferred on anyone who includes the First UU Church in their estate planning documents or makes a current gift or planned bequest to the church’s Endowment Fund. Individuals who make a planned gift to First UU Church through the UUA Pooled Income Fund and UUA Charitable Gift Annuity Fund also are members of the Channing Society. As a giving guideline, the Planned Giving Committee requests that eligible gifts and planned bequests exceed $2,500 or more, per person.
To assist in long-term planning and confirm membership, the Planned Giving Committee requests that donors share the pertinent language and details of their planned gifts in a confidential manner with the Committee. These documents are placed in a locked, confidential file maintained by the Director of Membership and Development. By receiving a copy of the documentation, the church is better able to ensure that a donor’s estate planning gift is properly realized. Please complete, print and mail our Bequest Form.