Holy Trinity Armenian Church has strived to make the message of our Christian faith and Armenian heritage real to all who consider our parish their spiritual home. Our success in spreading the message of the Armenian Church to the Greater Boston community depends upon your prayers and your generosity.
For many years, Holy Trinity has served as the center of worship, sacraments, education, and fellowship for our families. Our mission is your mission; our faith is your faith; and our heritage is your heritage. Our forefathers built our parish not so much for themselves, but for all future generations who bear their name – the children of their children. And so their future is our future.
But Holy Trinity can only continue her God-given mission through your prayers and financial assistance. So I ask you, in the name of our forefathers, and the vision they had for us – the children of their children – help us secure the gift they built on Brattle Street.
And, together, let us solidify her message for generations to come.
Fr. Vasken
What is the Holy Trinity "Trust Fund"?
The Trust Fund is the endowment of the Church. Through donations that people make to their own named Trust Funds or to the General Trust Fund, the combined donations are invested and managed for the long-term. The investments generate income to help support about one-third of each year’s operating budget of the Church. It is not large enough to fund large or long-term expenditures.
How did the Trust Fund begin?
With an initial anonymous gift of $14,000, the Holy Trinity Armenian Church Trust Fund was established in 1976 to provide "income to be used to offset, at least in part, the everyday expenses of the church."
Why do we need to increase the Trust Fund?
The income from the Trust Fund is too small to pay for emergency or necessary improvements to Holy Trinity or our buildings and grounds. Any critical need that arises must come out of money that is already budgeted to current needs. In other words, Holy Trinity must always "find" money in its current budget to pay for emergencies or necessary repairs and upgrades, and figure out how to rearrange the budget to get by.
For example, with the recent replacement of the heating system and repairs to the Church dome, Holy Trinity took on a large, necessary loan. Payments on this loan will come out of the regular operating budget for the next 10 years. (The debt service is $59,000 per year for the next 10 years.) We know that our 50 year-old church complex, will continue to need repairs and upgrades, and it would be irresponsible for us to continue to look to the operating budget for large capital improvements or critical needs. We anticipate that we will need an additional $2 million in our Trust Fund which will provide $50,000 each year to meet the demands of maintaining our beautiful Church and complex and $50,000 that will allow the operating budget to focus on the ministry and service of Holy Trinity.
Why do some people have a Trust Fund in their family name?
A Trust Fund in someone’s name is a Named Trust Fund, and gives you the opportunity to honor your family and loved ones.
Is there a minimum donation for a Named Trust Fund?
There is a $1000 minimum for a Named Trust Fund, and you may continue to contribute beyond that $1000 at any time.
Can I designate that my Trust Fund be used for specific activities of the Church?
You may "restrict" your Trust Fund to be used for a specific purpose; however, we recommend that you do not. If you restrict your fund, and there is no cause for your money to be used in a particular year, the Church cannot make use of the funds for other needs. With "unrestricted" Trust Fund monies available, the Church can use that money where it is needed and will report on its spending in the Annual Report.
Why should I create a Trust Fund?
The Trust Fund will support the Church forever. For example, if you establish a Trust Fund for $10,000, a historic 5% return on that investment will provide the Church with $500 yearly, FOREVER. In good years, your donation could provide $800 or more from that same Trust Fund. In a bad year, your donation will not provide as much money, so it is important to grow the Trust Fund to ensure that enough is saved for difficult economic times.
What about our Stewardship donation? Does that donation go into the Trust Fund?
Your stewardship donations are separate and do not go into the Trust Fund. Stewardship makes up approximately 18% of the operating budget of the Church each year. These funds help pay regular monthly bills and expenses. They do not cover big expenses or needed capital improvements.
Why can’t you just ask for donations when an unexpected cost comes up?
There are always generous parishioners who want to help in an emergency. But it is not good planning to wait for an emergency. Right now, our Trust Fund supports about one-third of our operating budget – but there is no extra money for unexpected, critical needs, or future planning.
When you donate to the Trust Fund, especially if you establish a Named Trust Fund for you and/or your family, you are helping to ensure the health and protect the strength of Holy Trinity Armenian Church for our children and their children – for our future.
How do I set up a Trust Fund?
You can set up a Trust Fund over one year or two. For any questions or more information on setting up a Trust Fund, please email Carol Krikorian at our office at: Carol@htaac.org or call our office at (617) 354-0632 to set up an appointment .