ANNUAL REPORT 2024

Mission-Minded.

Investment-Wise.

2024 ANNUAL REPORT

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.

From the President

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s 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

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

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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.

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

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.

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

Frank McArthur shares heartfelt wisdom, and a few laughs, at the Foundation’s 49th Annual Meeting.

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.

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.

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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.

Welcoming new voices to the table. Three dynamic women, L to R Abby Cochran, Rev. Mimi McDowell and Sen. Willie Mount were elected to serve a three-year term on the Foundation board.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

By the Numbers

Assets $247M 2024 Under Management

Value of Planned Gifts Established at The Foundation

$50M $8.1M

Dollars Currently on Loan to United Methodist churches

Grants Awarded Since 1975

$2.9M $436K

Grants Awarded to United Methodist churches and ministries in 2024

Amount of New Planned Gifts in 2024

$385K

421

422

Donors Who Have Established Planned Gifts Since 1975

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he 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.

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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

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Foundation Awards $385K in Grants in 2024 2024 GRANT RECIPIENTS Academy for Spiritual Formation Moss Bluff UMC "February Retreat" "Teen Hangout" Aldersgate UMC Neely UMC "Backpack Blessing" "God's Angels Dance Classes” Asbury UMC, Bossier City Noel Community Arts Program "Digital Discipleship" "Arts and Appetites" Black Clergywomen Conference Noel UMC "Sponsorship & Registrations" “Lemonade Day U Camp” Broadmoor UMC, Baton Rouge Peoples UMC "Yoga Mass" “Amanzi Ministry” Calvary UMC Ross Lynn Charitable Foundation "Computer Class" “A Pathway to Spiritual Formation” Calvary UMC Sibley UMC "Lunch and Learn" “Children and Youth Ministry” Cornerstone UMC St. Charles UMC "Community Lighthouse" “Food Truck Fridays” Disaster Response St. Luke Simpson UMC Micro-Grants Childcare Center’s “Playground Repairs” Emergency Response Teams St. Luke Simpson UMC “Fuel Reimbursements” "Manna Ministries" Front Yard Bikes La.Tech University Wesley Foundation "Expand Youth Program" “Spring Retreat” LA UM Thomas UMC "Happening" "Insight Ministries" Local Pastor Conference UL Wesley Foundation “Luncheon Sponsorship & Registrations” “Donor Brunch” Magnolia UMC UM Share "Summer Bible Camp" “School Uniforms” Many UMC Wesley Collaborative “Youth Basketball Tournament” “Do Good Retreat” Mount Zion UMC, New Orleans “Extension Ministries”

Grant Categories Equipping for Ministry

$133,130

Innovative Ministry

$87,457

Fostering Connections

$65,185

Disaster Response and Preparedness

$99,300

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Amount Awarded

$385,072

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

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.

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 unique outreach program made possible by a Foundation grant. Blending movement, meditation, and worship, it’s designed to connect with new people in the community.

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Foundation Leadership Executive Committee

Bobby Fahey Chair

Rev. Jo Ann Cooper Vice Chair

Omer Davis Investment Chair

Rev. Drew Sutton Grants Chair

Sandra Kuykendall Secretary

Chris Spencer President/CEO

“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Matthew 6:21

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Foundation Leadership Board of Trustees

Abby Cochran

Val Lavigne

Rev. Clifton Conrad

Richard Lewis

Joe Crouch

Drew Kennedy

Rev. Mimi McDowell Sen. Willie Mount

Troy Searles

Bob Kimbro

Dianne Wilkinson

Foundation Staff

L to R: Britney Winn Lee, Jodi McKey, Chris Spencer, Tamara Bello, Kelly Johannessen, Rachel Baio and Tracie Wharton

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Statement of Activities As of December 31, 2024

United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana

Without With

Donor Restrictions Donor Restrictions Total SUPPORT AND REVENUE

Contributions and Bequests $444,690 681,470 1,126,160 Interest and Dividends 290,067 1,163,730 1,453,797 Management and Consulting Fees 1,199,267 1,199,267 Total support and revenue prior to release from restrictions 1,934,024 1,845,200 3,779,224

Net Assets Released From Restrictions 1,830,121 (1,830,121)

Total support and revenue 3,764,145 15,079 3,779,224

EXPENSES Program services: Charitable Trusts, Annuities & Endowments 1,964,996 1,964,996 Grants & Gifts 699,582 699,582 Total program services 2,664,578 2,664,578 Support services: Management and general 1,221,124 1,221,124

Total expenses 3,885,702 3,885,702

Other changes:

Change in value - split interest agreements 30,659 30,659 Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments 488,121 2,488,098 2,976,219 Realized Market Gain 686,461 387,586 1,074,047 Total other changes 1,174,582 2,906,343 4,080,925

Changes in Net Assets 1,053,025 2,921,422 3,974,447

Net Assets, Beginning of Year 9,548,420 37,123,208 46,671,628

Net Assets, End of Year $10,601,445 40,044,630 50,646,075

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Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2024 United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana ASSETS

Cash & Cash Equivalents $1,995,693 Accounts Receivable 2,459 Accrued Interest Receivable 129,742 Investments at FMV 241,617,582 Mortgages Receivable, Net of Reserve 2,669,317 Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance 110,482 Real Estate Held in Trusts 1,236,245 Property & Equipment, Net 24,724

TOTAL ASSETS $247,786,244

LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS

LIABILITIES Accounts Payable $7,458 Amounts Held for Others 194,996,921 Liabilities Under Unitrust Agreements 1,526,562 Liabilities Under Gift Annuities & Reserves 609,228

TOTAL LIABILITIES 197,140,169

NET ASSETS Without Donor Restrictions: Undesignated 10,601,445 With Donor Restrictions 40,044,630

TOTAL NET ASSETS 50,646,075

TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS

$247,786,244

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