How the Foundation serves within, and outside of, the United Methodist denomination

The Foundation staff and board shared the following message with constituents on Feb. 20, 2023.

Dear Partner in Ministry,

Four years have passed since the Foundation’s Board of Directors approved a resolution to state that, “Although we were created by and for The Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, we are capable of serving all ministries of Wesleyan heritage.”

We write today to affirm this commitment and to provide clarity around our ability to serve churches and organizations within, and outside of, the United Methodist denomination.

The Foundation offers a number of ministries that are not limited by organizing language and remain open to all ministries of Wesleyan heritage:

• Fund Management (and the opportunity to have your own giving portal on the Foundation website)
• Stewardship Resources
• Endowment Development
• Planned Giving Presentations and Programs
• Ministry Grants
• Hospitality
• Liquidation of Stock Gifts to your church/ministry at no cost to you

However, other ministry offerings of the Foundation, by the construct of their originating documents, are limited to congregations, clergy, and organizations that are part of the United Methodist Church:

• The UMF Development Fund and Loan Program. Under the provisions of the UMF Development Fund Offering Circular, filed with the North Carolina Secretary of State in 2006, loans shall only be made to “congregations, institutions and other related organizations, which may include retirement communities, colleges, and other entities affiliated with the United Methodist Church, within North or South Carolina.”
• The Clergy Debt Reduction Loan Program. Founding documents specify that participants must be clergy in good standing, physically residing within the geographical boundaries of, and serving at least ½ compensation time to an Episcopal appointment made by the Bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.
• Various permanently restricted endowments of the Foundation. While not all of our restricted endowments are limited in this way, we are obligated to honor the directives of creators of certain funds who have stipulated that distributions exclusively benefit United Methodist clergy, laity, churches, organizations or initiatives. Examples include:

1. 1. Leadership development offerings supported by the Royce and Jane Reynolds Ministry Fund;
   2. The William Blanton Ministerial Scholarship for students enrolled in United Methodist accredited seminaries who plan to be appointed to the Western North Carolina Conference;
   3. The Rachel Colleen Allred Scholarship for students in the Western North Carolina Conference attending a United Methodist college or university.

We believe it is an honor and a privilege to be in ministry with you. We view the work of the Foundation to be a calling. Therefore, every encounter with a church, related institution or individual is an opportunity to strengthen God’s kingdom.

If there are ways the Foundation can assist you or your ministry, please let us know.

Yours in Christ,

Anne Martin                                                      David Snipes
Chair, Board of Directors                               President