Turning Small Contributions Into Meaningful Change
Small gifts can grow into something extraordinary with the use of endowments, just one of the many types of planned giving strategies offered at the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana. Endowments serve as a powerful tool for ensuring long-term sustainability. They are a way to turn present-day generosity into legacies, providing steady financial support for impactful work in the Church and beyond.
The Journey Toward Excellence Endowment, held by the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana, offers an inspiring example of how endowments can make a difference.
Established by the late Rev. John Winn and his wife, Rev. Carole Cotton Winn, the fund supports the work of The Center for Pastoral Excellence and The Academy for Spiritual Leadership. These ministries focus on deepening spirituality, fostering missional and pastoral excellence, and nurturing leaders through retreats, pilgrimages, and small-group experiences.
What makes this endowment so inspiring is the way it has grown over time through the contributions of many. Established in 2012 with an initial contribution of just $100, it has grown steadily through the faithful support of the Winn family and promotional efforts led by Dr. Craig Gilliam, a United
Methodist pastor in Shreveport. In fact, John sent a contribution to the fund just three weeks before he died on December 27, 2023. Through John’s obituary, his children invited friends and loved ones to contribute memorial gifts to honor his legacy.
This resulting outpouring of support was remarkable—dozens of small donations added over $6,000 to the fund. This response demonstrates how even modest contributions to an endowment, united by a shared purpose, can create significant impact.
Today, the fund has reached an impressive balance of $118,000, that will provide significant income distributions to ministries in the Louisiana Conference, for years to come.
Rev. Carole Cotton Winn and the late Rev. John Winn established the Journey Toward Excellence Endowment with $100 in 2012. Today it’s worth $118,000.
Legacies Editor: Kelly Johannessen kellyj@umf.org 2024 Board of Trustees
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Reflecting on the outpouring of support, John’s daughters, Rev. Callie Winn Crawford and Rev. Lane Cotton Winn, shared:
Bobby Fahey Chairman
Abby Cochran
Rev. Clifton Conrad
Rev. Jo Ann Cooper
Joe Crouch, Jr.
Omer Davis
Drew Kennedy
Bob Kimbro
Sandra Kuykendall
Eunice Val Lavigne
Richard Lewis
Rev. Mimi McDowell
Sen. Willie Mount
Troy Searles
Rev. Drew Sutton
Dianne Wilkinson
Chris Spencer President
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“We were deeply moved by how many people chose to honor our dad’s legacy in this way. It’s beautiful to see how their generosity has helped this endowment flourish, supporting the work our family cares about so deeply.”
Unlike traditional gifts that are spent immediately, endowments work differently. Contributions to an endowment are invested, with only the income generated used to fund the supported ministry. This ensures the principal remains intact, providing a stable and ongoing source of funding, even during times of financial uncertainty. Consider how you might join this enduring work—whether by contributing to an existing endowment or starting one to support the causes closest to your heart. The staff at the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana can help you build a legacy of generosity and hope that lasts far beyond your lifetime.
Endowments at the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana:
• Must benefit a Methodist-related ministry.
• Can be established by a church or an individual.
• Require no minimum initial deposit and no fees, and
• United Methodist Churches can receive a $5,000 endowment match for their starting deposit of $5,000.
With endowments, every gift–no matter the size–nurtures a legacy of lasting ministry.
savvy LIvIng
How to Write a Living Will
Dear Savvy Living,
What is the best way to begin writing a living will? I am getting older and facing health challenges, so I would like to get this done without incurring significant expenses.
Preparing a living will is a smart decision that gives you a say in how you want to be treated at the end of your life. Here is what you should know, along with some resources to help you write one.
What to Prepare
To adequately explain your wishes regarding your end-of-life medical treatment you need two legal documents: A “living will” which outlines the kind of care you want to receive if you become incapacitated, and a “health care power of attorney” (or health care proxy) which names a person you authorize to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to.
In some states, these two documents are known as an “advance directive” and will only be utilized if you are too ill to make medical decisions for yourself. You can also amend it at any time in the future.
You do not need to hire a lawyer to prepare an advance directive, as each state has its own laws regarding signing and witness requirements. Many states also offer standard forms you can use.
In Louisiana, while hiring a lawyer is not required, consulting a legal professional is strongly recommended to ensure your document is properly drafted and legally sound, especially if your medical situation is complex or you have specific instructions to include.
Standard advance directive forms are available online, but a lawyer can customize them to suit your needs.
To find assistance, use search terms like “make a living will” and explore well-established organizations, paying attention to the services offered and any associated fees. For convenience, consider using a service that creates and stores your living will electronically. Veterans can access a free advance directive form through the VA at VA.gov/findforms/about-form-10-0137.
Add-ons
You should also consider executing a do-not-resuscitate order (DNR) as part of your health care planning. A DNR may protect you from unwanted emergency care like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). To create a DNR, your doctor must fill out a stateapproved form and you both will need to sign it.
Another tool that will complement your advance directive is the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) or the Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST). A POLST or MOLST translates your end-of-life wishes into medical orders that must be honored by your doctors. These are prepared by your medical provider and address concerns relating to specific conditions. To learn more about these documents and to see if they are appropriate for you, consult with your medical provider.
Inform Your Family
To ensure your final wishes are followed, make sure to inform your family members, health care proxy and doctors of your preferences. You should also provide each of them with a copy of your advance directive or, if you create a digital version, make sure you share it electronically.
NBC Today Show and author of The Savvy Living book.
“Savvy Living” is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the
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Foundation Grants Total $374K+ in 2024
In 2024, the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana awarded over $374,000 to support various Methodistrelated ministries across the state. Since 1992, the Foundation’s grants program has provided more than $7 million to strengthen the Louisiana United Methodist Church and its outreach.
One of the largest grants this year was awarded to The Community Lighthouse at Cornerstone United Methodist Church in New Orleans East. This funding will help the church provide critical public health support in the aftermath of hurricanes and storms by serving as a cooling station, a reliable place to charge medical devices and electronics, and a facility for storing life-saving medications requiring refrigeration.
The Foundation’s grants program is committed to four key outreach areas: equipping clergy and laity for ministry; developing innovative ministries; fostering connections with the church, community, and Louisiana Conference; and responding to or preparing for natural disasters.
In November, the Foundation launched Envision, its first quarterly grants newsletter. This email publication highlights the transformative work being done across Louisiana through the faith-driven initiatives of grant recipients. To subscribe to the newsletter, apply for grants or learn more about the Foundation’s programs, visit www.umf.org/grants.
