The Congregational Investment Trust (CIT) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity established as an endowment investment option for member churches. Because endowment gifts are long-term, these funds are invested to preserve the purchasing power of gifts made using a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and alternative investments. The CIT’s target asset allocation is 65% stocks and 35% fixed income. Because principal values will fluctuate, the CIT is not suitable as a short-term investment vehicle. However, it is ideally suited as a long-term investment vehicle for church endowments.
Churches that participate in the CIT have access to funds either by written request or by setting up regular distributions. Churches can have a separate account balance for each fund it wishes to establish. An opening balance of $2,500 is required for each account with a minimum balance of $1,000 thereafter. Quarterly statements are issued to each church reporting their funds’ beginning balances, additions or withdrawals, net earnings and ending balances. All fees and expenses are charged against the aggregate earnings of the CIT and are therefore shared proportionately by all accounts. These funds are managed by Vanguard Institutional Advisory Services.
By becoming part of an investment pool with other churches you increase your investment return potential as well as the potential to lower investment fees. These funds are managed by Vanguard Institutional Advisory Services and is overseen by the National Association’s and the Congregational Foundation’s CIT Oversight Committee.
To participate in the Congregational Investment Trust a church must adopt the Congregational Investment Trust Adoption Agreement and execute the Account Authorization Form.
Mercer (formerly VANGUARD) Performance Results
2024 PERFORMANCE RESULTS
2023 PERFORMANCE RESULTS
2022 PERFORMANCE RESULTS
Congregational Investment Trust Meeting Minutes
2024: January, February (Annual Meeting), April, July