Foundation Overview
Our Purpose
The United Methodist Foundation of Santa Rosa serves Jesus Christ by supporting the long-term funding and investment needs of the First United Methodist Church of Santa Rosa's church-related institutions and ministries and by educating, encouraging, and enabling individuals to carry out Christian philanthropy.
WITH A VISION TO FUTURE GENERATIONS...
Our History
In 1987, the total of gifted endowed funds was $25,974. The original designated funds were to assist with building maintenance, to support the Ludhiana Medical School and to encourage new activities and ministries at the First United Methodist Church of Santa Rosa (FUMC). Today the Foundation manages over $1.4 million in five major fund categories.
In over three decades, the Foundation has awarded over $500,000 in grants for:
church improvements, new or growing ministries, youth scholarships, personnel development, youth programs, preschool facilities, 3rd grade Bibles, missionary programs.
The Foundation also issues annual gifts to the FUMC Trustees and Church Council, providing long term funding for important non-budgeted church needs and benefits.
Our Identity
The United Methodist Foundation of Santa Rosa is a 501.c.3 charitable organization and is established as a nonprofit corporation with a principal purpose of making grants to organizations, institutions, or individuals for educational, cultural, religious, or other charitable purposes.
Gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible.
From the beginning, gifts of any size have been graciously received, invested and carefully managed. Gifts have come in the forms of cash, property, stocks, insurance and a variety of other forms. Resources are available to help persons to plan and achieve their vision through the Foundation.
The Foundation is governed by a board of directors. As stated in its purpose, the Foundation supports the First United Methodist Church of Santa Rosa (FUMC) programs and ministries. However, the Foundation itself is not governed by the church body.
Educating
Seminars on family financial planning are conducted to make attendees aware of how to donate to the Foundation for the benefit of the donor and the long term interests of the FUMC Santa Rosa. Look to the Events & News page to see the title and date of the next seminar.
Encouraging
Prospective donors are encouraged to contact a Foundation director or one of the church pastors with questions or assistance regarding donations to The Foundation. The value of giving and the benefits of Foundation grants are frequently publicized on this site or in the church newsletter or bulletin. Timely End of Life planning is both vital and invaluable to family members.
Enabling
Resources are available to assist individuals in specific types of estate planning that will meet the specific interests and desires of the donor. The directors can help you find professional help, acquaint you with the Foundation endowed funds, or assist you to assure your dreams can help others.
The Foundation awards grant money according to our grant policy. Recent grants may be found on this site in addition to the funds and their purposes. Grant request forms are available on this site or in the church office. Foundation directors will assist you as requested. Grants are awarded based on a vote by the Board of Directors.
Board of Directors
There were nine original board members appointed by the Administrative Board of the FUMC Santa Rosa. Their commission was to establish, manage and protect the assets of the Foundation. This first group of dedicated board members laid the groundwork for the Foundation as it is today.
The founding members were E.A.(Bud) Berner, Jo Bodle, Glenn Elliott, George Fogle, Frank Gillette, Keith Rohde, Mary Schmidt, Opal Shinabarger, and Jim Wieschendorff. Rev. David Slorpe was the Senior Pastor. Many thanks are due to the founders who had the vision to look far into the future and establish a funding mechanism to make dreams become realities.
The Board of Directors of the Foundation are members of the First United Methodist Church of Santa Rosa and are elected for 3 year terms. If you have an interest in serving on the Foundation Board, please contact the Board President or anyone on the board.
*If you have any questions or comments, you are welcome to contact the Board President or any of the individual member listed.
Current Board
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Retired, Project Management and Education
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Attorney
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Executive Director
BNI Northern CA
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Retired Investment Manager
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Commercial Finance
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Estate Law Attorney
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Retired, Marketing
