As we enter into the Annual Conference season and these times of change, Terri Turner and our Foundation Board of Directors would like to share some recent discussions we have had regarding the Foundation as we move forward.
We also want to reassure you that we will continue to serve you, regardless of denomination outcomes, with the care and support we have been providing since 1979.
On May 18th, the Foundation Board of Directors, which is made up of lay and clergy members, met for our semi-annual meeting. We unanimously reaffirmed that the Foundation, as a faith-based organization, is committed to serving all facets of Methodism in the Alabama-West Florida area. We acknowledge that we are a unique ministry of planned giving, investment management, donor development, and more. All of our services have taken years to perfect to meet the specific needs of our churches, and as the needs of our churches have and will continue to evolve, your Foundation will continue to look for ways to aid your church in growing funds for continued ministry.
Terri remarks, “In the early days of my 31 years with the Foundation, we only offered CDs and bonds as investment options. Over time, we grew to the size where we could meet investment manager minimums in order to offer diverse portfolios with low fees to our churches. Additionally, we went through the process of applying for and getting registered to offer Charitable Gift Annuities and adding other gift opportunities such as Donor Advised Funds and a stock gifts service.” (for more details on ways to give through the Foundation, click here).
The work of the Foundation has been made possible by 43 years of service to AWF Conference churches and members, alongside the good stewardship of operational resources. Our budget is supported by fees based on the value of assets under management and endowed investments. Although subject to market volatility, this structure has allowed us to operate as a self-supporting agency with over $133 million in assets currently under management.
The Foundation is positioned as a 501c3 organization to continue our work for ALL United Methodist and historically Methodist churches, organizations, and agencies with no significant changes in our services regardless of what the future may bring.
• Our mission is, and always has been, to encourage generosity as a way of life, foster planned giving, develop successful endowment programs, and manage funds to strengthen the work of Christ’s church. We view everything we do as a ministry of generosity, and our goal is to see lives changed, churches grow, and ministries expand.
• Our continued services include providing planned giving support, investment management of church and agency funds, development of local church endowment programs, short and long-term options for reserve funds, loans for building projects, and educational programs on a number of subjects.
• Your investment security will remain at the same high standards we currently maintain, and funds will continue to be managed as directed. Our Investment Policy and strategy is continually reviewed and offers options that are well diversified, professionally managed, and socially screened to reflect United Methodist principles.
Thank you for allowing us to help you grow the funds needed to grow your ministry! It is exciting to see the planning and commitment to future financial health, both personally and in our churches.
If you have any questions, please contact Terri Turner at 334-793-6820 or email [email protected].
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