History

WITH A VISION TO FUTURE GENERATIONS...

...the United Methodist Foundation of Santa Rosa was incorporated by the state of California as a religious nonprofit charitable organization in 1984.  The Foundation  promotes, encourages, and aids religious, charitable and educational activities of the First United Methodist Church of Santa Rosa.

In 1987 the total of gifted endowed funds was $25,974.  They included $2,230 undesignated funds and $22,300 designated funds.  The original designated funds were for building maintenance, Lunhiana Medical School and the Kristen VanTine Memorial Fund for youth activities.  Today the Foundation manages over $700,000.

There were nine original board members appointed by the Administrative Board of the FUMC Santa Rosa.  Their commission was to establish, manage and protect the assets of the Foundation.  Since that time, the Foundation has established several endowed funds for the purpose of serving the church ministries for generations to come. The Foundation offers continuing long term funding for important non-budgeted church needs and benefits such as scholarships, initiation of new ministries, property improvements, and youth programs.

From the beginning, gifts of any size have been graciously received, invested and carefully managed. Gifts have come in the forms of cash, property, stocks, insurance and a variety of other forms.  Resources are available to help persons to plan and achieve their vision through the Foundation.

The Board of Directors of the Foundation are members of the First United Methodist Church of Santa Rosa elected for 3 year terms.  The founding members were E.A.(Bud) Berner, Jo Bodle, Glenn Elliott, George Fogle, Frank Gillette, Keith Rohde, Mary Schmidt Opal Shinabarger, and Jim Wieschendorff.  Rev. David Slorpe was the Senior Pastor. 

Our thanks go to the founders who had the vision to look far into the future and establish a funding mechanism to make dreams become realities.

A gift to the Foundation is a gift that keeps on giving, FOREVER!