- How Do I?
- Stewardship Seminars
- Gift Planning
- Donor Advised Funds
- Memorials
- Products and Information
How do I?
Start a fund at the foundation
Start an endowment program
How do I request a distribution from our fund?
Contact NMCMFI
How Does an Endowment Fund Work?
Generally, endowment funds are considered to be long-term or permanent assets of a congregation or institution. Those assets are invested in order to grow and provide earnings that provide ongoing income to support selected needs or ministries of the congregation or institution.
Sometimes an endowment fund is established that allows only the actual earnings received to be used for the ministry. This would include only interest payments or dividends from investments that are received. Usually these are small, and the ministry receives little benefit.
When an investment grows in value because of the growth in the value of the stocks that are held in the investment fund, then additional income can be provided to the ministry. However, care must be taken to avoid reducing the buying power of the invested asset because of inflation. For instance, if an endowment fund were established with $10,000, it would be shortsighted to take every penny received from interest and dividends plus the gain in the value of the stocks being held. Because of inflation, $10,000 will not buy as much next year as it did last year. Across the years, then, the buying power of the asset would be greatly diminished. In those intervals when the value of an investment fund might decline, a ministry might suffer misfortune if all income from the endowment were to “dry up.”
To avoid these pitfalls, many congregations and institutions take an annual distribution of 5% or 6% of the value of the fund on a particular day each year, such as January 1. Typically, the funds managed by the Foundation have out-performed this percentage, so over a period of years the asset grows in value while the congregation or institution receives a reliable and fairly predictable income for their ministries each year. If you would like to review a sample of this type of distribution, please contact the Foundation.
Other endowment funds are established to serve as reserve funds. Distributions are taken only as needed by the congregation or institution. A typical use of this type of fund is for capital improvements or building maintenance. The presence of such an asset in a congregation’s treasury allows for costly repairs such as replacement of air conditioning or heating units or roof repairs even when such maintenance is beyond the resources of the operating budget. Sometimes, congregations establish such a fund and make regular monthly or quarterly contributions to the fund so that it accumulates and grows between occasions when it is needed.
TOPStart a fund at the Foundation
Any congregation, institution, or agency located within the New Mexico Annual Conference and officially related to The United Methodist Church or the New Mexico Annual Conference is eligible to start a fund at the Foundation. Individuals and families living in the New Mexico Conference may also start funds at the Foundation; individuals and families living outside the New Mexico Conference may start funds at the Foundation that will benefit congregations and institutions in the New Mexico Conference.
Every fund is established with a separate and distinctive Management Agreement that defines the ways in which assets will be managed. This includes initial deposit, transfer into a specific managed fund such as the Foundation’s Pooled Investment Fund, management of accumulated interest and earnings, calculation and withdrawal of applicable management fees, and the process for taking distributions. Each Management Agreement is signed by at least two individuals representing the congregation, institution, or agency and two officers of the Foundation.
Each Management Agreement is prepared by the Foundation’s staff following initial conversations with representatives from the depositing organization.
There is no minimum amount required to start a fund. A fund is considered “opened” upon receipt of an initial deposit, and earnings begin to accrue at that point. Finalization of the Management Agreement may require an additional interval. Additions can be made at any time; the process for the management of those additions is established in the management agreement.
Quarterly reports on every fund are sent to persons designated by the depositing organization about the tenth day of January, April, July, and October.
The Foundation’s Pooled Investment Fund maintains a balanced investment portfolio. However, it is subject to shifts in the larger national and international economic and financial arenas. Therefore, monies that are deposited to the Pooled Investment Fund should be long-term or permanent investments that can weather the periodic declines that even balanced portfolios experience.
An individual, couple, or family may also create an endowment fund for a specified purpose to benefit congregations or institutions in the New Mexico Annual Conference. Coordination between the donor(s), the Foundation, and the church(es) or institution(s) is important in this process so that proceeds from the endowment will always be used in accordance with the stated desires of the donor(s).
Start an Endowment Program
Two paragraphs in The Book of Discipline (2000) of The United Methodist Church provide for the establishment of a Permanent Endowment Fund Committee (Paragraph 2533) or a Local Church Foundation (Paragraph 2534) by action of the congregation’s Charge Conference. A variety of questions and issues need to be discussed and decided before a congregation chooses one or the other of these alternatives. The New Mexico Conference Methodist Foundation can assist in considering these issues and can provide a sample resolution for action by the Charge Conference. A local church foundation requires the establishment of a separately incorporated, legal entity with its own articles of incorporation and bylaws. There is some cost involved in the development and filing of these instruments. The Permanent Endowment Fund Committee operates under the governance of the Charge Conference and does not require the separate legal status.
It is the responsibility of these entities to develop a comprehensive endowment program in the congregation. That program might include: emphasis on and assistance with the development of wills and estate plans, providing opportunities for church members and constituents to make provisions for giving to United Methodist churches, institutions, agencies and causes by means of wills, annuities, trusts, life insurance, memorials, and various types of property, and
dissemination of information that will be helpful in pre-retirement planning, including such considerations as establishing a living will, a living trust, and the need for each person to designate someone to serve as a responsible advocate should independent decision-making ability be lost.
Funds or properties received by the local church through any of these plans are managed by the local church committee or foundation. This includes decisions regarding the responsible placement of financial assets for effective management. The New Mexico Conference Methodist Foundation serves more than one half of the conference’s congregations and all of the institutions located in the conference in the management of these assets. Being faithful stewards is a higher calling in the church than letting funds be managed in such a way that growth and distributions are reduced for the sake of “keeping the money at home.” Jesus in the parable conveyed in Matthew 25:14-30 provides guidelines for a faithful approach to management of the gifts that God provides.
The New Mexico Conference Methodist Foundation provides training for any Permanent Endowment Fund Committee or Local Church Foundation without cost to the congregation. Materials developed by the National Association of United Methodist Foundations have been tailored to serve congregations in the New Mexico Conference as a training resource and will be provided to each member of the committee or foundation board in the training session.
An individual or family can also create an endowed fund with the New Mexico Conference Methodist Foundation to benefit any congregation or institution in the conference or the denomination, regardless of the existence of a Permanent Endowment Fund Committee or Local Church Foundation. All of our institutions have mechanisms in place for the management of permanent gifts. Several alternatives are available, and further information can be secured from the Foundation without obligation.
While gifts are occasionally made to congregations and institutions that do not have endowment programs in place, estate and other special gifts are much more likely to occur when individuals and families have been informed and encouraged to include the church’s ministries in their estate plans. The existence and activity of a Permanent Endowment Fund Committee or Local Church Foundation is a substantial prerequisite for the cultivation of these gifts for endowment.
How Do I Request a Distribution from Our Fund?
The particular agreement declaring the management of each separate fund usually includes a description of the process to request a distribution. Unless the agreement includes other specific directives, an authorized person or persons may submit the request to the Foundation in writing by the 20th of any calendar month. The request must include the signature(s) of the authorized person(s) requesting the distribution. At the conclusion of each calendar month, every fund is valued. Following that process, the distribution is taken from the specified fund, and a check is mailed to the church or institution by the 10th day of the calendar month immediately following the request. Requests by e-mail cannot be accepted because of the absence of an authorized signature. Requests may be sent by mail or facsimile or delivered in person to the Foundation.
In some management agreements there is a stipulation that minutes of the meeting at which the distribution is authorized must accompany the request.
Stewardship Seminars
Is your congregation contending with more bills than you have cash to pay each month?
Are you failing to pay your shared ministry in full?
Do you want to develop a fresh approach to your annual stewardship campaign?
These may be clues that it is time to develop new approaches to stewardship in your congregation. A comprehensive faith and money seminar with a small group of committed adults and youth may bring a fresh, stimulating, and effective approach to the process of interpreting the ministries of the church. This, in turn, will strengthen the giving of members and friends of the congregation.
The Foundation will guide your small group through a three-session planning process with the outcome of having a comprehensive, year- round stewardship program or the design for a unique annual stewardship campaign in your church. Plans are developed with a strong reliance upon biblical teachings about faith and money that are consistent with the Wesleyan heritage of Methodism.
There is a fee of $1.00 per member of the congregation as reported in the current journal of the New Mexico Annual Conference. Contact the Foundation for further information about the seminars and ways in which the fee may be waived.
Gift Planning
Charitable Gift Annuities
Charitable Remainder Trusts
Gift Planning
Every individual has an estate plan. There have been published reports that over 50% of the more than two million Americans who pass away each year do not have valid wills! That is an alarming number of persons who make their estate plan by default. In those cases it is the state that determines how the resources will be managed through the state’s laws of “descent and distribution.” They are impersonal; they do not allow for exceptions; they may deplete the assets of the estate unnecessarily; they may delay final settlement of an estate which may cause loved ones serious financial and emotional crisis.
Many faithful Methodists have chosen to include their churches and/or denominational institutions in their estate plans. The most common method is to include the church and/or institution in one's will. A bequest of a specific amount may be given. Or, an amount or percentage of the residuum may be given after all bills are paid and other bequests given and personal desires honored.
The Foundation will provide without cost several resource booklets that can inform and guide the process of planning your estate. Just ask. There’s no obligation.
Charitable Gift Annuities
A charitable gift annuity may satisfy your personal philanthropic desires while preserving your need to retain income from an asset while you are living. Many Methodists have found that with a charitable gift annuity they are able to transform assets that provide little current financial benefit into a steady and predictable stream of income for the remainder of their lives.
A charitable gift annuity may be established with the Foundation for either one or two lives. Depending upon the age(s) of the donor(s), the Foundation commits to pay an annuity for the remainder of the life/lives of the donor(s). The asset is invested by the Foundation, and regardless of the performance of the investment, the annuity payments are consistent and dependable. A charitable gift annuity may be funded with cash or securities in any amount of $5,000 or more. The amount of the annuity payments is a percentage of the amount of the original gift with higher percentages applicable to older persons. The Foundation uses the percentages established by the American Council on Gift Annuities.
There are tax benefits associated with a charitable gift annuity. In the year that the gift is made and the annuity established, there is a portion that is tax deductible. In addition, for the remainder of the actuarially projected life span of the donor, a portion of the annuity payments is deductible. The Foundation provides annual tax information to each annuitant to file with income tax forms. Gift annuities funded with appreciated stock have an additional benefit of avoidance of capital gains tax that would be incurred if the stock were sold by the donor.
At the time the charitable gift annuity is established, the donor provides the Foundation a written statement regarding how the remainder in the annuity is to be distributed upon their death. Recipients must be United Methodist churches, institutions, or agencies, and not individuals.
The gift establishing the annuity is irrevocable. A donor may, however, alter the directive about how they want the residuum managed following their death.
There is no fee charged by the Foundation for the establishment of a charitable gift annuity; nor is there a fee for the management of the asset. At the time of the death of the donor, 90% of the residuum is distributed to the recipients designated by the donor, and 10% is retained by the Foundation for services rendered regardless of the length of time the annuity has been in force.
A charitable gift annuity may be established at any time, and annuity payments can be deferred until a later date that is specifically identified in the original annuity agreement.
Information about charitable gift annuities will be provided by mail by the Foundation. Further, a proposal will be developed for any person interested in discovering specifically how a gift annuity might fit within their estate plan. There is no cost or obligation for the information or for the preparation and sending of the proposal.
A trust has been described as an “artificial person” that is allowed to own and manage property for the benefit of one or more persons for a specified period of time. A trust is a legally established entity that receives and manages the asset(s). Income from that asset—either from its investment or management—provides income for the donor or donors who establish the trust. At the end of the trust period, the property remaining in the trust (the charitable remainder) becomes the property of the charitable interest(s) the donor designates. For Methodists working with the Foundation, these recipients might be Methodist congregations, institutions, agencies, or the Foundation.
Because of the legal requirements for the establishment of a trust, the legal counsel for the Foundation participates with the advisor(s) of the donor to establish the trust to meet the desires of the donor and the legal stipulations of the Foundation. There is, therefore, a cost for legal counsel and other professional consultation in the establishment of a charitable remainder trust.
The donor may specify that payments from the trust be made to the donor or to other persons for life. Alternatively, the donor may choose to provide for income for a period of time up to 20 years, or certain combinations of lives and terms of years.
The amount of income provided to the donor may be fixed at the time the trust is created (a charitable remainder annuity trust), or it can be set up to fluctuate over time according to the value of the income and growth in the assets in the trust (a charitable remainder unitrust).
Charitable remainder trusts are particularly suited to meet educational needs by making payments for a particular period of time and for income for older persons through the remainder of their lives.
A common technique that can be used in connection with charitable remainder trusts is for the donor to replace the asset he or she gives away using life insurance on his or her life. By purchasing the insurance with the income produced by the trust, the donor may obtain some tax benefits as well as achieve the personal desire of transferring wealth to loved ones.
Because of the variety of considerations available to a donor or donors in the establishment of a charitable remainder trust, each is unique. Further information is available from the Foundation, and a specific proposal can be prepared by the Foundation for consideration in the development of a donor’s estate plan. The information and the proposal are provided without obligation.
For more information, visit our Planned Giving website at www.nmcmfigift.org.
Donor Advised Funds
A Donor Advised Fund provides for a gift to be made to the Foundation from which distributions will be made in consultation with the donor. The gift is irrevocable. However, annually the executive director of the Foundation confers with the donor or others he/she authorizes regarding preferences for recipients of distributions from the fund. Those preferences are conveyed to the Board of Directors of the Foundation who then make final decisions about recipients, amounts, timing and other matters related to the management of the distribution.
The Foundation has sole responsibility for the management of the asset in accordance with its investment policy as it exists from time to time. The donor’s role is advisory and regards only the possible recipients of distributions. This role allows the donor to have full tax deductibility of the gift that establishes or enlarges the donor advised fund. The guidelines used by the Foundation in managing the asset comprising the fund and in determining and conveying all distributions are consistent with existing tax laws to benefit both the donor and the recipients of distributions. Recipients of distributions must be United Methodist congregations, institutions, or agencies, or the Foundation. Individuals or other non-tax-exempt organizations are not eligible to receive distributions.
The donor advised fund has become one of the most popular instruments to assist individuals and families to fulfill their philanthropic desires and to have the enjoyment of seeing the impact of their gifts on selected ministries in their churches or institutions of their choice. There is complete flexibility in making annual advisory selections that are then conveyed to the Foundation’s Board of Directors expressing priority for the distributions.
There is no cost for the establishment of a donor advised fund with the Foundation. There is a management fee of .1875% (.75% annualized) of the market value of the fund which is calculated and collected each quarter. There is a minimum amount of $25,000 for the establishment of a donor advised fund. Additions can be made to a donor advised fund once it is established. When the market value of the fund exceeds $250,000, the quarterly management fee is reduced to .125% (.5% annualized) for the amount over $250,000.
Further information is available from the Foundation without cost or obligation.
Memorials
While memorials of buildings and other physical structures are commonplace in our day, such memorials are beyond the financial reach of most individuals and families. Further, some individuals and families desire to honor the memory of friends and loved ones in ways that support active ministries rather than erect structures.
The Memorial Fund of the Foundation provides an opportunity to honor special relationships. Gifts may be made to the Memorial Fund at any time, of any size, and by any individual, family, or group, such as Sunday School classes. All gifts will be added to the corpus of the fund. Once the corpus reaches $50,000, distributions will be taken to support the ministries of the Foundation in accordance with the distribution policy of the Foundation as it exists from time to time.
When a memorial gift is received, the family of the person being memorialized will be notified of the gift. All contributions to the memorial fund are fully tax deductible, and appropriate documentation will be provided to each donor for tax purposes.
At least once each year the individuals being memorialized will be recognized in an issue of The Cornerstone, the Foundation’s newsletter. Donors will also be recognized unless a donor requests anonymity.
Further information about the memorial fund is available from the Foundation.
Information for Loved Ones
As believers in Jesus Christ we have learned not to fear death; however, most of us put off thinking about it. A funeral is sometimes handled in a rush which may not reflect the wishes of the deceased. This is largely because the survivors do not know the wishes of their departed loved one. The following form is intended to enable Christians to ease the final decisions that have to be made by family members when they are no longer here.
This file can be downloaded and printed on your printer or used interactively on your computer to be printed later.
If you have Microsoft 2003 software, the second link above (MS Word Document) allows you to download this document in to save on your computer for further personalization. If you prefer to receive a copy of Information for Loved Ones by mail, please request one by calling the Foundation office (505-255-8786 or 800-8786 ext 120) or e-mail marilyn@nmcmfi.org.
Click here to find out how your church can arrange for a personal presentation of this and other helpful information.
Products and Information
Informational Brochures
The Foundation maintains a supply of brochures and other resources on estate planning and planned giving opportunities. Please contact marilyn@nmcmfi.org to receive any of the brochures listed here. There is no charge or obligation for these materials.
Wills & Bequest Information
- An Estate Planning Quiz
- Your Will and Its Benefits
- 37 Things People “Know” About Wills That Aren’t Really So
- Giving Through Your Will
- Transfer on Death Deeds
- Personal Financial Affairs Record
Ways to Give
- Giving For Income
- Giving Real Estate
- Giving Through Charitable Remainder Trusts
- Giving Securities
- Giving Through Life Insurance
- IRA Rollover through December 31 (for persons at least 70-1/2 years of age)
- Reflecting on Tomorrow
- A Tradition of Giving
Questions & Answers about:
- Giving Securities
- Estate Planning
- Giving For Income
- Gift Annuities
- Estate Planning for Women
- Wills & Bequests
Services to Churches & Institutions
Investment Sevices
The Foundation is responsible for investing approximately $40 million in assets. (Approximately $28 million belongs to churches and institutions of the New Mexico Annual Conference.) The investment of institutional endowments and other assets is qualitatively different from the investment of either personal or pension fund assets. Our investment philosophy is tailored to meet the special characteristics of endowments. The Foundation invests for long term growth, seeking to provide for its participants a reliable stream of income, if that is desired, and capital appreciation. Our goal is to preserve the purchasing power of invested dollars. In our investing we seek to comply with the historic position of The United Methodist Church regarding socially responsible investing as described in The Book of Discipline, 2004, Paragraph 2532.5, page 690. Please contact us at Molly@nmcmfi.org to learn how your church or institution may utilize the Foundation’s investment services.
Stewardship Services - The Foundation staff is available to provide the following stewardship services:
- Charitable gift giving seminars
- Estate planning seminars
- Consultations with local churches on:
- Investment Services
- Creating and building permanent endowment funds
- Wills and Memorials committees
- Planned giving development and education
- Finance Committee training
- Administrative Board or Church Council consultations
- General consultation to develop a plan to manage and improve on your local church financial condition
- Stewardship program – developing a comprehensive year-long program
- Planning for and Conducting Capital Campaigns
Creating a Permanent Endowment
The New Mexico Conference Methodist Foundation can provide churches with a personalized ENDOWMENT PLANNING WORKBOOK. This handbook is designed for use by a permanent endowment committee or church foundation board in United Methodist churches. It was developed by the National Association of United Methodist Foundations and edited for applicability to the New Mexico Annual Conference. For a personalized copy for your church, please contact Rev. Sanford Coon at sanford@nmcmfi.org.
Scholarship Funds
The Foundation manages multiple scholarship funds. Most of the funds are local church scholarship funds. For information on a specific church scholarship fund, please contact the designated church. If you would like information on establishing a permanent scholarship fund, please contact molly@nmcmfi.org.
Church Scholarship Funds
- Alamogordo - Grace United Methodist Church – Nathan Kolb Memorial Fund
- Alamogordo - Grace United Methodist Church – Tharp Education Scholarship Fund
- Alamogordo - Grace United Methodist Church – R & R Scholarship Endowment
- Alamogordo - Grace United Methodist Church – Emanuels’ Scholarship Fund
- Alamogordo - Grace United Methodist Church – Seminary Scholarship Fund
- Albuquerque - Christ United Methodist Church – Scholarship Fund
- Albuquerque - First United Methodist Church – Whipple Scholarship Fun
- Albuquerque - First United Methodist Church – Parker Scholarship Fund
- Albuquerque - First United Methodist Church – Ivy Scholarship Fund
- Alburquerque - Trinity First United Methodist Church - Prinkey Scholarship Fund
- Albuquerque - St. Paul’s United Methodist Church – Marn Green Scholarship
- Aztec - First United Methodist Church - Rhodes Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Bloomfield - First United Methodist Church - Scholarship Fund
- Clovis - First United Methodist Church – College Scholarship Fund
- El Paso - St. Paul’s United Methodist Church – Scholarship Fund
- Hobbs - First United Methodist Church - Scholarship Fund
- Kermit - First United Methodist Church – Scholarship Fund
- Las Cruces - St. Paul’s United Methodist Church – Scholarship Endowment
- Roswell - Trinity United Methodist Church – Camps Scholarship Fund
- Tucumcari - Center Street United Methodist Church – Bea Bohlsen Scholarship
Schools
- McCurdy School - Sannebeck Endowment Fund
Clergy or Seminary Students
- Thomas H. & Florence W. Raper Scholarship Fund
- Allen Walker Memorial Preaching Scholarship Fund
- Gertrude Cooper Scholarship Endowment
- Daniel E. Phillips Memorial Scholarship Endowment
- Martha Singleterry Scholarship for Women Preparing for Ordained Ministry
- Moore-Snitker Scholarship Fund
- Marjorie Ann Goode Scholarship for Seminary Education
General Scholarship Endowments
- Sannebeck Scholarship Endowment Fund – scholarship for young women - Scholarship Committee, Asbury United Methodist Church, Albuquerque, NM
- Reverend Carl Treat Sacramento Methodist Assembly Camp Scholarship Endowment
- New Mexico Conference - Lackey Fund
Services to Individuals
The Foundation is available to assist individuals with estate planning including evaluating a variety of life income gifts. The Foundation is pleased to provide personalized life income gift plans that include detailed explanations and tax calculations on various charitable giving plans. These are provided without fee or obligation. To request a brochure on any of the services listed below contact marilyn@nmcmfi.org. To request a personalized plan for life income using your own information contact Rev. Sanford Coon at sanford@nmcmfi.org.
- Wills and Estate Planning
- Life Income Gifts
- Charitable Gift Annuity
- Charitable Remainder Unitrust
- Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust
- Bequest
- Establishing a Permanent Endowment Fund
- Donor Advised Fund
- Outright gifts
Upper Room® Partners
The Upper Room® daily devotional guide is a familiar spiritual companion to 2.5 million Christians in the United States and around the world. For over 65 years it has guided families in home worship and prayer. Published in 44 languages and 75 editions, The Upper Room® is a spiritual resource that touches the hearts and lives of Christians in more than 100 countries.
Upper Room Ministries provides numerous other services as well—perhaps most notably the development and expansion of The Walk to Emmaus® and Chrysalis®.
The Foundation serves as a local arm of Upper Room Ministries in receiving and managing gifts such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts that will eventually provide permanent assets to support Upper Room Ministries.
Contact the Foundation for further information about the how the Foundation serves and supports these partners in ministry.
Information for Loved Ones
As believers in Jesus Christ we have learned not to fear death; however, most of us put off thinking about it. A funeral is sometimes handled in a manner which does not reflect the wishes of the deceased. This is usually because the survivors do not know the wishes of their deceased loved one. The following form is intended to enable Christians to ease the final decisions left to be made by their family when they are no longer here.
This file can be downloaded and printed on your printer or used interactively on your computer to be printed later.
If you have Microsoft Word 2003, the second link above allows you to download this document in MS Word format to save on your computer for further personalization. If you prefer to receive a copy in the mail, please call the Foundation office (505-255-8786 or 800-8786 ext 120) or e-mail marilyn@nmcmfi.org.
Click here to find out how your church can arrange for a personal presentation of this and other information.
Useful Links
The United Methodist Church (Official Site) - www.umc.org
Extensive information about the history, organization, and leadership of the denomination with stories about current missional endeavors, Methodists in ministry, spiritual life in United Methodism, the 2004 General Conference, a locator system for churches, schools, administrative offices, and personnel, and special denominational programs such as “Igniting Ministry.”
National Association of United Methodist Foundations (NAUMF) - www.naumf.org
An organization of foundations related to The United Methodist Church whose purpose is to enhance the ministries of the church. Connect to regional and denominational foundations, find resources about planned giving and estate planning, and get information about national and jurisdictional meetings.
New Mexico Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church - www.nmconfum.com
News and information about various conference events, training opportunities, applications for scholarship assistance and registration to various training events, volunteers in mission, locating and contacting churches and pastors, and conference staff.
General Board of Discipleship, Stewardship Ministries - www.gbod.org/stewardship
Very diverse resources aimed to assist local churches with faith and money matters. The site provides worship aids such as ideas for those who work with children and seasonal offertory prayers, recommended resources for study, and articles about timely issues such as the local church finance campaign.
United Methodist Development Fund - www.gbgm-umc.org
Provides first-mortgage loans to United Methodist churches and other denominational entities, and accepts investments from United Methodists, pays interest semi-annually, and lends that money to United Methodist churches for new construction or renovation.
The United Methodist Church Foundation - www.umcfoundation.org
Exists to serve God by encouraging stewardship as a way of life and upholding the missions and ministries of The United Methodist Church in the world; relates specifically to all of the denomination’s boards and agencies to assure funds to maintain effective ministry around the world. “GiftLaw” is an added feature that provides current information about various legal issues related to planned giving, taxation, and ethics.
United Methodist Communications - www.umcom.org
Provides diverse resources to every pastor, layperson, and congregation to strengthen communication; news and information within the denomination; tools for interpreting stewardship and all of the denomination’s benevolences described and made available. Also lists various grants and scholarships through diverse denominational channels.
United Methodist Higher Education Foundation - www.umhef.org
Dedicated to helping students achieve their dreams by providing scholarship aid for United Methodist students attending the 124 United Methodist-related institutions; identifies various scholarship programs and awards to achieve the grand vision that it be economically possible for any qualified United Methodist student to be educated at a United Methodist-related institution of higher education. The Foundation also works with individuals and families to develop estate plans to assist future generations to receive affordable higher education.
Upper Room Ministries - www.upperroom.com
Known to millions of people mostly for their devotional booklet, Upper Room Ministries also developed and oversees The Walk to Emmaus and Chrysalis programs. Planned and estate gifts assure the perpetuation of existing publishing endeavors, the expansion into editions in new languages, and development of additional resources for spiritual growth.