Issuu

our mission

is to be a catalyst that strengthens and preserves our current ministries while meeting the needs of a diverse and rapidly changing society.

As we reflect on 2024, the phrase Mission-Minded, InvestmentWise sums up the spirit of the year, capturing the heart of our work at the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana.

This year, we awarded $385,000 in grants to support 31 United Methodist ministries across Louisiana. These grants helped fund projects in our four primary outreach categories: equipping for ministry, launching innovative ministries, fostering vital connections, and strengthening disaster response and preparation.

To better tell the stories behind these investments, we launched Envision—a new electronic newsletter designed to highlight the faith-driven, transformative work being done by our grant recipients. We hope these stories inspire generosity and spark new ideas for ministry across the Louisiana Conference.

As always, our commitment to planned giving remains central to our work. Helping individuals and churches think long-term about legacy and sustainability is one of the most impactful ways we serve the United Methodist connection in Louisiana.

We are only able to be missionminded because we are also investment-wise. Thanks to a deeply committed Investment Committee and experienced advisors, our assets under management grew to $247,786,244 in

From the President

2024. Together, we continue to steward the resources entrusted to us with great care and wisdom. Their expertise allows us to grow our impact year after year and ensure that future generations of United Methodists are equipped to carry out God’s mission.

Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your prayers. Together, we are building a strong and faithful future.

Chris Spencer President/CEO

2024 highlights

ooking back on 2024, we are grateful for the impact we’ve made across the Louisiana Conference. We have continued to build a strong and faithful foundation for the future, and each step forward has been part of a shared commitment to remain missionminded and investment-wise.

Grant Workshops

The Foundation hosted A New Thing Workshops: Dreaming Lab for Innovative Ministry and Grants Writing, free events led by our Grants Outreach Coordinator, Britney Winn Lee. These four dynamic workshops around the state provided inspiring spaces for ministry leaders to dream boldly about innovative ways to serve their communities and explore the potential of grant-funded projects.

Participants engaged in practical sessions on effective grant writing, brainstorming unique ministry ideas and developing proposals that align with their mission and vision.

Britney also designed an online version of this popular workshop, that works for individuals or groups and provides an interactive and engaging experience.

New Office Manager

The Foundation welcomed Jodi McKey as its new office manager in January. Jodi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, having honed her organizational skills in bustling settings like the Louisiana Conference’s Disaster Relief area and the Baton Rouge District Office of the United Methodist Church.

Full of ideas and ready to share. Workshop participants in Shreveport explore creative approaches to effective grant writing.

When creative minds collide! L to R: Rev. Emily Carroll, Britney Winn Lee and Rev. Rachel Scott paused their brainstorming session to smile for the camera.

2024 highlights

and

The Annual Meeting brought together over 60 distinguished guests, community leaders and Louisiana pastors.

A moment of gratitude and celebration. President Chris Spencer (L) and Board Chair Bobby Fahey (R) honor Nettles Brown (C) for 13 years of dedicated service on the board.

Jodi and her husband, Tim, are longstanding members of First UMC of Baton Rouge and have two grown daughters and five grandchildren.

49 Years of Service Celebrated

The Foundation marked its 49th anniversary on April 16 with a memorable celebration themed “Rooted Together, Growing Forward,” bringing together over 60 distinguished guests, community leaders and Louisiana pastors.

The annual meeting featured keynote speaker Frank McArthur, a noted philanthropist, active community volunteer and former chair of the Foundation board.

Longtime Board Member and Former Chair Ends Dedicated Term of Service

Also at the annual meeting, the Foundation recognized L. Nettles Brown, a member of First United Methodist Church of Natchitoches. Nettles served for 13 years on the board, including a term as Chair from 2016 to 2018.

Enjoying a day of connection and fellowship—L to R: Rev. Sonya Lars, Rev. Karli Pidgeon and Rev. Ronald J. Southall joined us for the Annual Meeting.

Frank McArthur shares heartfelt wisdom,

a few laughs, at the Foundation’s 49th Annual Meeting.

2024 highlights

New Board Members Bring

Diverse Leadership

The Foundation board elected three new board members in 2024. They are Abby Cochran, supervisor of school leadership and instruction for West Feliciana Parish Schools and a member of St. Francisville UMC; Rev. Mimi McDowell, interim pastor at Gilliam UMC and NorthPoint UMC in Shreveport; and Senator Willie Mount, former state senator and a member of First United Methodist Church in Lake Charles.

Endowment Match Program

Henning Memorial United Methodist Church joined a growing list of participants in the Foundation’s Endowment Match Program in 2024. Since the program launched in 2019, 21 Methodist churches and ministries have taken advantage of the “double your money” opportunity—receiving $5,000 in matching funds when they establish a $5,000 endowment with the Foundation. Endowments like these create a steady, ever-growing source of income to support a church’s operating budget and ministry for generations to come.

Introducing Envision

This year the Foundation launched Envision, its first grants newsletter!

This quarterly email publication highlights the transformative work being done across Louisiana through the faithdriven initiatives of grant recipients. The newsletter also offers tips and resources for securing grants successfully.

new voices to the

Henning Memorial United Methodist Church made a lasting investment in its future by establishing an endowment through the Foundation’s Endowment Match Program this year.

Our new quarterly grants newsletter showcases the inspiring, faith-driven work happening across Louisiana—plus tips and resources to help ministries secure funding for impact.

Welcoming

table. Three dynamic women,

Abby Cochran, Rev. Mimi McDowell and Sen. Willie Mount were elected to serve a three-year term on the Foundation board.

Dollars Currently on Loan to United Methodist churches Value of Planned Gifts Established at The Foundation

Grants Awarded to United Methodist churches and ministries in 2024

Amount of New Planned Gifts in 2024 Donors Who Have Established Planned Gifts Since 1975

The Foundation was founded in 1975 to promote planned giving for the sustainability of Methodist churches and associated ministries. Through the generosity of our donors, we continue to serve that purpose.

The Foundation’s first planned gift was a Charitable Gift Annuity, established in 1990 by Nellie Rhoads Greer to benefit Christ UMC of Shreveport. Since then, a total of 422 planned gifts have been made, totaling over $50 million.

Planned giFts

2024 Planned giFts

Sara Simmonds Endowment

created through her bequest to benefit First UMC, Alexandria

Rob and Pam Fairly Endowment created through their wills to benefit multiple ministries

Martha Holemon Endowment

created via Charitable Gift Annuity to benefit Noel UMC of Shreveport

Martha Holemon Endowment

created via Life Estate Gift to benefit Gilliam UMC and the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home

Kay White Endowment

created via Charitable Gift Annuity to benefit Asbury UMC of Bossier City

Foundation awards $385K in grants in 2024

2024 GRANT RECIPIENTS

Academy for Spiritual Formation "February Retreat"

Aldersgate UMC "Backpack Blessing"

Asbury UMC, Bossier City "Digital Discipleship"

Black Clergywomen Conference "Sponsorship & Registrations"

Broadmoor UMC, Baton Rouge "Yoga Mass"

Calvary UMC "Computer Class"

Calvary UMC "Lunch and Learn"

Cornerstone UMC "Community Lighthouse"

Disaster Response Micro-Grants

Emergency Response Teams “Fuel Reimbursements”

Front Yard Bikes "Expand Youth Program"

LA UM "Happening"

Local Pastor Conference

“Luncheon Sponsorship & Registrations”

Moss Bluff UMC "Teen Hangout"

Neely UMC "God's Angels Dance Classes”

Noel Community Arts Program "Arts and Appetites"

Noel UMC “Lemonade Day U Camp”

Peoples UMC “Amanzi Ministry”

Ross Lynn Charitable Foundation “A Pathway to Spiritual Formation”

Sibley UMC “Children and Youth Ministry”

St. Charles UMC “Food Truck Fridays”

St. Luke Simpson UMC Childcare Center’s “Playground Repairs”

St. Luke Simpson UMC "Manna Ministries"

La.Tech University Wesley Foundation “Spring Retreat”

Thomas UMC "Insight Ministries"

UL Wesley Foundation “Donor Brunch” Magnolia UMC "Summer Bible Camp"

UM Share “School Uniforms” Many UMC “Youth Basketball Tournament”

Wesley Collaborative “Do Good Retreat”

Mount Zion UMC, New Orleans “Extension Ministries”

Entrepreneurs in the making! Children at Lemonade Day U Camp at Noel UMC learned the basics of business thanks to a Foundation grant making the camp possible.

Volunteers from Cornerstone UMC are lighting the way with Community Lighthouse—a grant-funded refuge offering cooling, charging, and care for neighbors after hurricanes.

Front Yard Bikes of Baton Rouge is changing the lives of youth, one ride at a time! Shown with volunteers and staff, Director Dustin LaFont (center) received a Foundation grant for its “Expand Youth Program”. Members of Broadmoor UMC participate in Yoga Mass—a