Church Extension Funds

The attorneys at Penwell Bowman + Curran have had the unique and rewarding opportunity to work with a unique brand of non-profit, church extension funds, in all aspects of their businesses.  In the highly specialized church extension fund industry, the church extension fund exists to support its denomination’s affiliated churches and related religious organizations.  In that regard, one of the primary objectives of the church extension fund is the offer and sale of notes.  The proceeds from the annual sale of notes are used by the church extension fund to fund loans to finance or refinance the purchase, construction or improvement of church property or related capital expenditures or the operational needs of those affiliated churches and related religious organizations.

The attorneys at Penwell Bowman + Curran have in-depth experience advising church extension funds through national offerings of debt securities of up to $100 million annually in over 35 states.  We routinely advise church extension funds on their annual debt offerings, including:

• strategic planning and offering approval
• issuer and agent registration and exemption filings
• due diligence
• drafting and review of the offering document or prospectus as well as sales and advertising material
• federal and state (“blue sky”) securities law compliance, including offering registration, exemption filings and other related matters

As a result of the above, we have developed working relationships with state securities commissions across the nation on behalf of church extension funds.  To put it simply, we’re here to take the reins and lead you through the annual debt offering process.

Beyond the annual debt offerings, Penwell Bowman + Curran attorneys regularly advise church extension funds in matters relating to strategic planning, corporate governance, business structure and reorganization, loan documentation, trust and estates, consumer lending compliance, and IRS non-depository custodian and trustee compliance.

At Penwell Bowman + Curran we understand the importance to your church extension fund of predictability and an accurate budget. As a result, we will work with you to establish a fixed fee for our services relating to your annual debt offering and other flexible rates for non-offering work that fits within your budget so that you can focus on your mission of supporting your denomination’s affiliated churches and related religious organizations.