The Latest Foundation Developments
How We Can Help Your Church:
The staff of your Foundation sends you greetings in the spirit of Christ as we approach the mid-point of the year and annual conference.
Every day, we work on behalf of you, your churches and the communities you serve to enhance your ministry with discipline and excellence. Through socially-conscious investment management, the Virginia United Methodist Foundation delivers investment returns ensuring you invest in areas that support the well-being of people, communities and environment.
Loans made through the Development Company (DevCo) are offered at excellent rates and supported by UMC churches and individuals committed to the collective power of our connection.
Our long-standing grants program offers support to emerging programs as well as ministries serving those to whom Christ has called us.
To continue serving you and the Church with excellence, we’d like to highlight some initiatives that demonstrate our passion to be proactive and adaptive in service to the Kingdom of God through financial, operational and ministry excellence.
Saving Grace for Clergy:
Saving Grace is a financial literacy program teaching a Wesleyan approach to personal money management. In 2026, it was expanded to offer a third class. As a result of the response to this course for clergy, we are inspired to develop a Saving Grace class for laity, which we plan to offer this summer.
Smaller loan threshold:
The Development Company, the church lending arm of our work, now offers simple, flexible loans under $50,000 to help your church address essential facility needs, such as replacing roofs, upgrading HVAC systems or resurfacing parking lots. With a streamlined process and no collateral required, you can move quickly on critical projects and stay focused on your ministry.
Planned giving support and training:
Based on our recent survey to assess capacities within VAUMC churches, many leaders indicated a need for more knowledge and support in setting up planned giving, endowments and donor-advised funds (DAFs). We offer this support as needed and when requested. It is always available, so please reach out!
Philanthropy and development:
Last year, the Foundation expanded to create a new initiative devoted to philanthropy and development. The work of this office is to enhance, strengthen and grow our grant support offerings, develop new funding streams to support emerging ideas, and offer a centralized platform for scholarships, to be released in 2026-27.
Improved online experience for clients:
Also coming soon is an enhanced online client experience where Foundation account holders can easily access their information and make transactions online.
We are your Foundation.
Together, we serve the church that responds daily to the call of the Spirit to make disciples for the transformation of our communities and the world. Every day, the staff of the Foundation approaches our work with joy, as we celebrate with you the beauty of God’s good work from the Eastern Shore to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley.
Yours in Service,
The Foundation Team
__________________
By the Rev. Matthew W. Charlton, PhD, VP of Philanthropy & Development
