United Methodist Foundation

The Foundation has a web site now!

In 1984, a small group of dedicated church members established the United Methodist Foundation of Santa Rosa.  They began with $2,000 and a dream that these funds, along with future donations, would help support programs and services that are outside the church budget. Each year since that time, donors have remembered loved ones in memorials, celebrated events, or honored deserving friends. Today, the Foundation’s funds total more than $736,000. Some gifts are designated for specific areas; others are used as needed for the church and community.    The funds are invested carefully and prayerfully and only the earnings are spent, thereby providing "forever" gifts.

Grants issued from 1986 to the present include:

• Land purchase for Stony Point campus
• New Ministries support
• College and Preschool scholarships
• Church maintenance and improvement
• Sunday School materials and Bibles
• Vacation Bible School
• Missions and other outreach programs
• Stephen Ministries
• Music Ministries
• Youth Ministries
• Adult Ministries
• Ludhiana Medical School, India
• Church organ renovation

In February, the Foundation hosted the first in a series of seminars on Wills and Estate Planning. Estate Tax Attorney Jim Avedisian provided practical (and entertaining) information to help participants formulate and update their personal financial plans, and protect estates and families. Future seminars are being planned.

The Foundation continues to provide for our church and community in ways that cannot be measured. That 1984 dream has become a blessing to the church and those it serves, and to donors whose own dreams are protected and directed in doing God's work.

Got Questions ?

Do gifts to the church or the Foundation serve different purposes?
Both further God's work and promote Christianity in Santa Rosa and beyond. Both reflect the FUMC Mission Statement.

If a gift of money is given to the church, does it also go to the Foundation?
The Foundation is a separate entity with its own charter and by-laws. Gifts to the Foundation must be directed to "United Methodist Foundation of Santa Rosa".

Is there a difference in the way gifts to the church and the Foundation are used ?
Gifts to the Foundation are used only in areas which fall outside of the regular church budget. Funds are invested, and only the earnings are ever spent. In this way, these gifts "last forever." For example, some scholarships granted this spring were from donations made decades ago.

Can I direct my gift to a particular program or area of the church? Will my wishes be honored?
Donors' wishes are always honored, whether a gift is given to the church or the Foundation. A designated donation may be specific or general, but is used only as the giver intends. For example, a gift designated "for children" might be used to provide Sunday School curriculum, a special family event, or a classroom equipment. A gift designated "for camperships" would only be used for that.

What if I do not have a preference as to how my gift is used. ?
When an undesignated gift is given to the Foundation, it is invested and managed by a Board of nine church members who evaluate and grant requests. Most requests come from within FUMC and might include program support, scholarships, or maintenance of buildings and grounds.

Do all gifts come from memorials?
Many donations to both the church and the Foundation are memorials to loved ones. However, gifts are often given to celebrate a birthday or special occasion, to honor a deserving person, or in gratitude. Gifts are designated in wills or trusts by many people who care about the future of the church. The Foundation Board is available for guidance in these areas.

What is the minimum amount for a donation? Are small gifts appropriate?
There is neither a minimum nor maximum, and every gift furthers God's work.

Where can I find more information about the Foundation?
Check out the website. Also, all Board members are in the church directory and will be happy to talk with you. All discussions remain confidential. The current Board includes Jim Wieschendorff (chair), John Bodle, Bill Hart, Joyce Milks, Barbara O'Rear, Jack Rittenhouse, Pamala Robbins, Larry Thompson, and Steve Zwick.