OUR MISSIONThe Georgia United Methodist Foundation’s mission is to help United Methodist churches, ministries and members in Georgia sow seeds of faith for future generations.

OUR MINISTRYAt the heart of our existence is the desire to help United Methodists make a lasting contribution to the Church and its ministries. We encourage faithful stewardship by offering:

• Investment Services to manage and grow funds in a socially responsible manner.

• Lending Services to extend low-interest loans to churches and ministries wishing to refinance debt, or build, expand or renovate their facilities.

• Fundraising Services to assist churches and ministries with capital campaigns.

• Endowments and Legacy Ministry Webinars to establish a permanent source of income to support a church’s ministry programs.

• Planned Giving Services to help you plan your estate and charitable giving in a way that benefits you, your family and your United Methodist church or favorite ministries.

• Grants and Scholarships to support vital ministries and future leaders of the Church.

OUR MINISTRY GOALSAs a nonprofit organization with a vision of serving the Church, our ministry goals include:

• Encouraging and equipping each United Methodist church and ministry to implement a planned giving program.

• Partnering with United Methodists to grow God’s kingdom for the transformation of the world.

• Strengthening the financial resources of The United Methodist Church.

• Maintaining high Christian and professional standards.

• Providing expert counsel, superior value and a wide range of stewardship services.

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INVESTMENT SERVICES

The Georgia United Methodist Foundation manages and grows investment funds on behalf of United Methodist churches and ministries in Georgia. By pooling your financial resources, the Foundation can provide investment benefits available to larger investors. Some of these advantages include lower costs, less risk due to diversification, multiple investment options and returns that can be used for the glory of God.

All funds, which are kept under the watchful eyes of the investment committee, competent staff and professional investment managers, are invested according to the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church. By investing in a socially responsible manner, you are assured that your resources, while earning competitive financial returns, are being used to uphold Church values, encourage sustainable and more responsible business practices among companies, and help low- and moderate-income individuals and families in the communities in which they live.

We offer the following investment options, which are designed to meet a variety of objectives.

EQUITY FUND: The objective of our Equity Fund is to attain long-term capital appreciation from a well-diversified portfolio of U.S. and international equity securities. This fund is available to churches and ministries that seek long-term investment growth yet are willing to accept greater investment risk due to market fluctuation.

MULTIPLE ASSET FUND: Our Multiple Asset Fund is a balanced portfolio including equities and fixed income funds. The objective of the fund, which is available to churches and ministries, is to maximize long-term investment returns, including current income and capital appreciation, while reducing short-term risk by investing in a broad mix of investments.

FIXED INCOME FUND: Our Fixed Income Fund seeks total return (comprised of capital appreciation but primarily income) that consistently exceeds the total return of the broad U.S. dollar denominated, investment grade market of intermediate term government and corporate bonds. This fund is offered to churches and ministries that seek a greater portion of their investment return from current income but are willing to incur some risk for the potential of modest capital appreciation.

DEVELOPMENT FUND: The Development Fund offers investors an attractive fixed rate of interest while providing a source of funds that allows churches and ministries to borrow money at below-market rates. This ministry opportunity is ideal for churches, ministries and individual investors who seek competitive returns yet wish to use 100 percent of their investment to help grow God’s kingdom.

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DEVELOPMENT FUND INVESTMENTS

The Georgia United Methodist Foundation Development Fund is a unique investment opportunity that offers financial and spiritual rewards. You will earn above-average interest rates on certificates, while 100 percent of your investment will be used to fund the growth and expansion of United Methodist churches and ministries in Georgia.

Because we are a nonprofit organization, we can pay attractive rates to faithful investors, while offering churches and ministries competitive loan rates. Your investment will:

• Earn higher returns than bank CDs or Money Market accounts.

• Provide the financial resources for the Foundation to offer low-interest loans to churches and ministries wishing to refinance debt, or build, renovate or expand facilities.

• Help strengthen United Methodist churches and ministries.

The Development Fund is a registered Offering with the State of Georgia. United Methodist churches, ministries and members residing in Georgia may purchase interest-bearing certificates. The minimum investment is $5,000.

“We chose to invest in

the Foundation because

of the way these monies

are invested back in

our local churches.”

– South Georgia Annual Conference Trustees

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LENDING SERVICES

Thanks to investments in the Georgia United Methodist Foundation Development Fund, the Loan Fund is positioned to help United Methodist churches and ministries in Georgia find financing for projects.

There are many benefits to partnering with the Foundation. As a connectional ministry, we have your best interests at heart. We understand the challenges involved with financing, as well as the requirements of The United Methodist Church. Our ministry goals include simplifying the process, offering lower costs, advantageous terms and competitive loan rates, and serving as your advisor and lender from start to finish.

The Loan Fund offers construction loans with terms normally less than one year. Permanent loans with terms from 5 to 20 years are also available. The minimum loan amount is $20,000. Loans are available for the following projects:

• New Congregation’s First Facility

• Expansion of Facilities on an Existing Site

• Major Improvements and/or Replacement of Existing Facilities

• Purchase of Building Sites

• Refinancing of Other Financial Institution’s Loans

“The Foundation

understands church loans

in ways that commercial

bankers don’t. They are

not only knowledgeable,

but very professional

and flexible.”

– Mt. Zion UMC, Marietta

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FUNDRAISING SERVICES

The Georgia United Methodist Foundation assists United Methodist churches and ministries in Georgia with capital campaigns that promote financial success and spiritual growth. As your partner in ministry, our mission is to offer you expert campaign consulting for reasonable fees.

Our campaigns encourage generous, cheerful and sacrificial giving that honors God. We will equip you to raise funds for property acquisition, building construction and renovation, debt reduction and endowment growth.

In working with the Foundation, you can count on:

• A Thorough Planning Study

• A Truly Customized Plan

• Expertise Based on Real-World Campaign Fundraising Experience

• Exceptional Services for a Great Value

• A Simple and Effective Strategy for Success

• A Partnership that Respects Your Talents and Unique Knowledge

When the time comes to plan and implement a fundraising strategy, we will guide you through every step, including:

• Creating a Campaign Timeline

• Developing a Formal Case for Support

• Creating a Volunteer Structure

• Recruiting and Training Leadership

• Identifying and Cultivating Major Donors

• Producing Materials

• Planning Events

• Managing Commitments

“The Foundation served as a trustworthy resource

that came alongside the church to help us meet our goals.”

– Wesley UMC at Frederica, Saint Simons

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“The people who started our agency had the foresight to put 25 percent of the annual

Homeless Offering into a permanent endowment with the Foundation until it crossed the

$1 million threshold. This investment strategy is allowing us to do ministry in ways we never

dreamed possible.”

– North Georgia United Methodist Housing and Homeless Council

ENDOWMENTS AND PLANNED GIVING SERVICES: How We Can Help You

SERVICES FOR CHURCHES

The Georgia United Methodist Foundation provides professional funds management and investment services for endowments to help secure the financial future of the Church. An endowment is a fund that can be invested to support a church’s ministry programs such as missions and scholarships. Endowments may also be used for building maintenance as well.

We can help you establish and promote your Endowment Fund through:

• Leadership in planting the seed for a planned giving program through presentations in the church and through consultations with church leaders.

• Legacy Ministry Webinars with step-by step processes and model resolutions for establishing a Permanent Endowment and Permanent Endowment and Planned Giving Ministry Committee. Join us for a 45-minute interactive webinar each month for 12 months, and we will help your church design and implement your customized legacy program.

• Resources and materials for an effective ongoing planned giving program.

SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS

The Georgia United Methodist Foundation offers planned giving services to help you plan your estate and charitable giving in a way that benefits you, your family and your United Methodist church or ministry.

Free Personal Consultations: Our staff is available for free confidential consultations to help clarify your charitable giving goals.

Interactive Website: Our gumfplannedgiving.org website features inspiring gift stories, fresh weekly articles, an online Wills Planner, personal gift options and illustrations, and much more.

Online Wills Planner: This step-by-step guide helps you plan your estate. Complete information on your family, estate and goals using our secure online server. Save the information, and then provide it to an attorney to complete your estate plan.

Weekly eNewsletter: Legacy, a weekly eNewsletter for donors and financial professionals, features timely articles and impactful stories.

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“We look upon giving as a privilege and Christian

responsibility. Through the Foundation’s direction, we

established a Charitable Gift Annuity so we can give back

to the institutions and church which have given so much to us

through the years.”

– Members of Glenn Memorial UMC, Atlanta

PLANNED GIVING OPTIONS

The Georgia United Methodist Foundation connects United Methodists to causes that matter. We offer many ways you can leave a legacy to benefit your United Methodist church and ministries you cherish.

YOUR GOAL YOUR GIFT HOW TO GIVE YOUR BENEFITS

Make a quick and simple gift OUTRIGHT GIFT Donate cash, securities or personal property

Income tax deduction; avoidance of any capital gains tax

Defer a gift until after your lifetime

BEQUEST IN WILL Name your church or favored ministry in your will

A donation exempt from federal estate taxes

Make a large gift with little cost to yourself

LIFE INSURANCE GIFT Give an old or new policy with your church or favored ministry named as beneficiary

Current income tax deduction; possible future deductions

Avoid the twofold taxation on retirement plan assets

RETIREMENT PLAN GIFT Name your church or favored ministry as beneficiary of all or part of the remaining assets after your lifetime

Avoidance of heavily taxed gift to heirs

Avoid capital gains tax on the sale of a home or other real estate

REAL ESTATE GIFT Donate the property or sell it at a bargain price

Immediate income tax deduction and avoidance of capital gains tax

Give your personal residence or farm, but continue to live there

RETAINED LIFE ESTATE Designate the ownership of your home to your favored ministry, but retain occupancy

Charitable income tax deduction and lifetime use of home

Secure a fixed and often improved income

CHARITABLE REMAINDER ANNUITY TRUST

Create a charitable trust that pays you a set income annually

Immediate income tax deduction and fixed income for life

Create a hedge against inflation over the long term

CHARITABLE REMAINDER UNITRUST

Create a trust that pays a percentage of the trust’s assets, valued annually

Immediate income tax deduction, annual income for life that has potential to increase

Supplement income with fixed annual payments

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY Enter into a contract that pays you fixed payments annually

Current and future savings on income taxes; fixed payments for life

Reduce gift and estate taxes on assets passing on to heirs

CHARITABLE LEAD TRUST Create a trust that pays a fixed or variable income to your favored ministry for a set term and then passes to heirs

Reduced size of taxable estate; keeps property in family, often with reduced gift taxes

Make a gift that allows flexibility and your input on how funds will be used

DONOR ADVISED FUND Create an agreement where the Foundation manages assets, you suggest beneficiaries

Immediate income tax deduction, option to provide input on how funds will be used

“We are grateful for the

Foundation’s financial

assistance and willingness

to be in partnership with us

to help prevent

homelessness.”

– Gainesville Action Ministries

“I am grateful to the

Foundation for the financial

support. Without it,

I wouldn’t have been able

to attend LaGrange College

where I am surrounded

by the principles of

Methodism that

I grew up with.”

– Scholarship Recipient8

GRANTS

The Georgia United Methodist Foundation supports many vital United Methodist ministries in Georgia. The grants are the result of permanent funds that have been established with designated restrictions.

SCHOLARSHIPS

The Georgia United Methodist Foundation provides scholarships to students participating in the United Methodist Dollars for Scholars program. These scholarships are the result of a partnership with the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation, United Methodist schools, colleges and universities, and local churches. Additionally, we provide permanent endowed scholarships to strengthen and support future leaders of the Church.

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Georgia United Methodist Foundation15 Technology Parkway South, Suite 125Peachtree Corners, GA 30092-8203

770-449-6726 (Main Office) • 877-220-5664 (Toll Free)gumf.org • gumfplannedgiving.org • info@gumf.org