About the Foundation
For further information, contact the Foundation by telephone at 1-800-768-6040, ext. 122 or at (804) 521-1122; by fax at (804) 521-1174; by mail at PO Box 1719, Glen Allen, VA 23060 or by e-mail at Foundation@vaumc.org. The Church is involved in a great mission for Jesus Christ in the world. Individual United Methodists and local churches throughout Virginia have an opportunity to participate more fully now and in the future in that mission through the Virginia United Methodist Foundation. The purpose of this Foundation is to assist local churches, districts, agencies, institutions and United Methodist individuals in investing in the programs and ministries of the Church in Virginia and beyond. The Foundation, acting as a trustee, receives funds from individuals, local churches, agencies or institutions. It invests those funds, as directed or advised, and distributes the income according to the previous instructions of the church, agency or individual setting up the fund. Our work is divided into four parts, or a combination of those parts: (1) help local churches or districts establish an endowment fund; (2) help local churches or districts promote and strengthen an existing endowment fund; (3) help local churches or districts, and agencies or institutions of the Church, to increase the annual return on their endowment, building, or memorial funds, while controlling administrative costs, by using the services and investment opportunities offered by the Virginia United Methodist Foundation, or (4) encourage and assist individual United Methodists to support programs and ministries of the Church by using gift and estate planning opportunities available through the conference Foundation. INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES The Foundation now administers nearly 300 investment accounts for 150 churches, agencies and individuals of the Virginia Conference. The Foundation offers five opportunities for investment of local church, district or agency funds: 1. an all- equity fund 2. a pool of fixed income investments 3. a highly diversified portfolio with a 70%/30% target 4. the diversified portfolio with some other asset mix of your choosing 5. a cash reserve fund. More specific information on these opportunities is available on request. Some churches have several separate accounts for different purposes, i.e. parsonage fund, music fund, library fund, building fund, or permanent endowment fund. Other churches combine funds into one account. A minimum of $5,000 is required to establish a new investment fund with the Foundation. Deposits may be made to an existing account at any time. Money may be withdrawn from an account at any time with reasonable notification and authorization. Statements on the account are sent monthly. Income, or a portion of the income, will be reinvested for growth or distributed as directed by the local church. The executive director of the Virginia United Methodist Foundation will be glad to talk with you and your local church about these opportunities. There are wonderful opportunities for individuals in United Methodist congregations to make current or deferred gifts through the Foundation for causes within the local Church or agencies or institutions of the Church through living trusts, gift annuities, bequests, life insurance, and other vehicles. The Director of the Foundation will be glad to explore these opportunities with individuals and their financial advisors. The Foundation charges an annual administrative fee of .50% (one-half of one percent). The returns above are net of investment fees. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. |