JENSEN MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FUND

OVERVIEW

Lowell and Helen Jensen were always grateful for the support the community gave them through the years in their business of home heating oil and as a gas distributor. To return a gift of thanks to the community, Lowell and Helen set up a Charity Fund with the emphasis on feeding the poor and needy or helping in any disaster or crisis in Central Oregon. This gift of $30,000 was to be invested in perpetuity with only the interest earned used for distribution for the needy. This fund was called the JENSEN FAMILY CHARITY FUND and was given in October, 1994, to Father Luke Sheehan Council 1872 Knights of Columbus to administer.

In 2004, it was brought to the Council’s attention that any income from funds invested in a money market or mutual funds by the Knights of Columbus Council is taxable. Father Luke Sheehan Council, upon finding this information to be correct, voted to give the original $30,000 to St. Vincent de Paul and hold a growth value of the account of $10,000 for a period of 3 years.

In 2007, the Council set up an account with The Legacy of Faith Catholic Community Foundation of Oregon in the name of St. Vincent de Paul to support Social Services for $10,000 with the same intentions as spelled out in the JENSEN FAMILY CHARITY FUND. With this account set up, St. Vincent de Paul added the original gift given to them of $30,000.

This account is now administered by the Foundation in perpetuity with the original intentions of the donors Lowell and Helen Jensen. Additional donations may be added to this fund at any time which will ensure the annual distributions to St. Vincent de Paul to support Social Services.

Lowell and Helen had been married for 72 years, until Helen’s death in 1998. Lowell was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 73 years and was the oldest living member in the Knights of Columbus in the state of Oregon until the Lord called him home on May 7, 2006, at the age of 99.

FOUNDED

2007

PURPOSE

ST. VINCENT
DE PAUL, BEND

SUPPORTS

OUTREACH

DISTRIBUTIONS

RESTRICTED

Distribution

Half of the fund's interest is divided among St. Thomas Academy, St. Thomas Parish, and a Diocesan fund for priests.
Catholic Context

The fund operates within the framework of the Catholic Church, specifically the Diocese of Baker, and is named after St. Jude, a patron saint within the church.
Reinvestment

The other half of the interest is reinvested to increase the fund's overall value.
Funding

The fund is primarily supported by the donor's long-term estate planning, with a portion of the funding being ongoing and the major contribution occurring upon the donor's death.
Impact

The distributions are unrestricted, allowing the recipients to use the funds as they see fit.

DETAILS TO CONSIDER

CONTACT US

HEAR FROM DONORS

I’m grateful to have been able to contribute to the Legacy of Faith Endowment Fund. It’s a meaningful way to support the future of our church, ensuring it can continue to serve the community and nurture faith for generations to come. I’m honored to be part of such a wonderful mission.

- Legacy of Faith Donor