Like others here, I am endowed in all my lodges. But, like others here, I give over that amount during the year. I did it for several reasons. One, in case something happens in the future, my membership will always be secure. Two, the endowment continues after my death, allowing me to aways be apart of my lodges.
The low funding of lodges are often a subject of discussion. I feel as long as we focus on fundraising, or $$, we will continue to be in this situation. Borrowing from the Great LIGHT of Masonry; we should not worry about tomorrow, but serve mankind, and the GAOTU will work it out for us. In other words, get out of the lodge more, serve mankind, and do right. Many of the problems will resolve itself. If one is going to be self focused, then self is the only one to come to your aid. IMHO