Our History

The Virginia United Methodist Foundation was formed in 1971 to provide stewardship education and manage assets for local churches, districts and agencies of the Virginia United Methodist Conference (VAUMC). In 2012, the Foundation was blessed to receive as its new president, Dave Thompson. During his tenure at the Foundation, Dave led assets under management from $30 million dollars to over $44 million dollars in 2014. Mr. Thompson guided the Foundation to hire the Rev. Stephen Clark as the planned giving officer in 2013. Upon Mr. Thompson’s retirement, Rev. Clark was elected president of the Virginia United Methodist Foundation in June 2014. Stephen guided the Foundation to assets under management totalling $98 million dollars. Stephen further nurtured the creation of the Virginia United Methodist Development Company, LLC (DevCo) in 2014 and led the Foundation to form the Virginia United Methodist Real Estate Management Company (‘REMCO’) in 2017. The Rev. Stephen Clark retired in March 2018. 

Under the next president’s leadership, Bo Bowden, the total assets managed by the Foundation increased to $154 million. After five years of service, Bo retired from the Foundation in May of 2024.

Over the years, the Foundation and the Development Company have witnessed extraordinary growth. The work of the Foundation under these Christian leaders has demonstrated the furtherance of the Foundation’s mission and core values while fulfilling the organization’s calling. 

Since its inception, the Foundation has supported local churches across the Conference in expanding their programs and ministries through effective stewardship of investments and endowment funds, planned giving and church extension loans. May the future be a legacy of greater opportunities to serve the Virginia Annual Conference and the ministries of the United Methodist Church.

You can support the work of the Foundation by donating — contact our office for details on how to donate.