"Tell them to use
their money to do good. They should be rich in good works, and should give
generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever
God has given them." - 1 Timothy 6:17-18
"For where your treasure
is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:21
The First United
Methodist Foundation of Sidney was founded in 1987.
Their goal is to provide a legacy to support
the mission, vision and ministries of Sidney First United Methodist Church.
The Foundation is funded by accepting
designated endowed or non-endowed gifts, which may include restrictions on
their use as stipulated by the giver. On
an "endowed" gift, the
returns generated by the investments are available for financial support of
Sidney First. The principal value is
intended to remain intact. "Non-endowed" gifts,
generally allow for the principle and
the investment returns to be available for financial support of Sidney
First. Both can be restricted by the
giver to limit the use of the funds and returns.
It is the responsibility of the Foundation
Trustees to ensure that the gifts are used in accordance to the wishes of the
giver. Several estate gifts as well as
other gifts are currently being managed.
For example, just in the past year, the
foundation has accepted and agreed to manage three very special gifts:
- The Tar Hollow Trustees
deposited into the Foundation, a bequest given to them from the Estate of Steve
Weadock, faithful member of Sidney First, for support of the Tar Hollow Camp, a passion of his for many
years. The income from his estate first
helped support his mother until she passed, then was directed to support Tar
Hollow, at Sidney First. The Foundation
will ensure that Steve's gift will be used as he intended, while also managing
the principle to produce the best possible returns.
- Then Tim and Alison
Martin, the parents of Ty, who died from a fall while on a Tijuana mission trip
last fall, established the "Ty Austin Martin Memorial Mission Scholarship
Fund" to help finance others to carry on what Ty loved doing, serving on
the mission field. These are non-endowed
funds, which means all the funds may be used as directed by the giver. Their goal is to award two scholarships of
$250.00 each year in memory of Ty. An
application process is required. The
applications are available at the Church office. A yearly fund raiser called "Walking
Taco" on Cinco DeMaio (May 5) is planned to keep money available. You may also contribute to this fund through
the Foundation.
- The third, also a
non-endowed gift, was accepted from a couple who wish to remain anonymous. They gifted shares of a "mutual"
fund and directed the proceeds be used to buy new hymnals (scheduled to be
published in 2020) for Sidney First. The
donors requested that $9,000 be set aside for cost of the hymnals and the
balance be added to the restoration of the windows project. The bond was sold, per Foundation's policy; $9,000 was escrowed to cover the cost for the
required number of hymnals in 2020; funds not needed will remain in the Music
ministry account. $1,761.36 was added to
the "window fund" as directed by the donors. Please note that "gifting" in this
manner is just one of the many ways a gift can be "tax
deductible". See the "Planning
Strategies" in the "Planned
Giving" brochure below for more information.
The Foundation is also "used" by the
Church (Sidney First) to house other funds for safe keeping and growth until
needed, such as the window restoration, the bus ministry, music, etc., and will
partner with the Church in the upcoming 6:20
Capital Campaign.
Some of the Foundation's past activities
include:
• Provide money to the General Fund.
• Provide funding for scholarships.
• Provide funding for capital improvements.
• Grants to Children's Ministry
• Grants for start-up ministries
• Sanctuary remodel – 2010
• Second Floor youth area remodel – 2011
• Replacement of steps to Sanctuary (2016)
Some ongoing activities include:
• Manage funding to
help supplement mission trips
• Provide ongoing funding for the Radio Ministry
Current Foundation Trustees (elected annually
at Church Conference): Kent Witt, Jr., Chair ; Connie Lundsford, Treasurer ; Brent Clinehens; Chip Hix; David Chivington; Diane Alexander; Jana Potts; Jeff Shreves; Jeff Van Treese; Kent Craver; Mike Martin ; Phil Valentine ; Rich Wallace ; Scott Barr ; Shaun Zimpfer
Sidney First Vision
Partners Vision Partners are people who have named
Sidney First Foundation in their estate plan. Becoming a vision partner has no
cost now: you just let the church know you will be leaving a gift in your will.
Please note, your gift, as a Vision
Partner, can also be Endowed or Non-endowed, with or without restrictions. Once a vision partner, you will be included in occasional special
informational meetings. A special event is also held in May for Vision Partners
and those that are interested in learning more about becoming a Vision Partner. Interested?
For more information about the
foundation or leaving a gift to the church check out one of videos below or any
of our brochures. You can contact the
foundation Chairperson or a committee member by calling the church office. (937) 492-9136 |
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Information about the Sidney FUMC
Grant Applications
Grant applications must be
completed and submitted between September 1 and October 31.
Videos:
Literature:
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