Dear friends of First United Methodist Church of Fort Smith;
Thank you for taking the time to visit the website of the First United Methodist Church Foundation. I hope you will find information and inspiration here that will help you as you consider decisions about your estate and charitable giving. There are many ways to continue your support of the church and the Kingdom of God even beyond your life on this earth.
We are so fortunate to have a robust Foundation to support the ministry of our church. Each year the Foundation supplements our annual giving so that we can employ staff, maintain our buildings, engage in missions, and develop disciples of Jesus Christ through our church. We are also able, through our community grant program, to support life-changing missions and programs in our own community and beyond, to extend the love of Christ beyond the walls of our church.
We stand on the shoulders of giants, examples of faith who had the foresight and vision to develop our Foundation for just such a time as this. Now we are actively promoting and growing the ministry of our Foundation because of the impact it has and can continue to have in the future. We would love to have conversations with you about the ways you can enter this ministry of perpetual support. Contact me or our Foundation Executive director, Mrs. Patti Cox, and we can set up a visit.
Thank you again for your interest in our Foundation and your support of God's Kingdom work through our church. As the apostle Paul blessed his people in Corinth, "May God enrich you in every way for your great generosity!"
Thank you for taking the time to visit the website of the First United Methodist Church Foundation. I hope you will find information and inspiration here that will help you as you consider decisions about your estate and charitable giving. There are many ways to continue your support of the church and the Kingdom of God even beyond your life on this earth.
We are so fortunate to have a robust Foundation to support the ministry of our church. Each year the Foundation supplements our annual giving so that we can employ staff, maintain our buildings, engage in missions, and develop disciples of Jesus Christ through our church. We are also able, through our community grant program, to support life-changing missions and programs in our own community and beyond, to extend the love of Christ beyond the walls of our church.
We stand on the shoulders of giants, examples of faith who had the foresight and vision to develop our Foundation for just such a time as this. Now we are actively promoting and growing the ministry of our Foundation because of the impact it has and can continue to have in the future. We would love to have conversations with you about the ways you can enter this ministry of perpetual support. Contact me or our Foundation Executive director, Mrs. Patti Cox, and we can set up a visit.
Thank you again for your interest in our Foundation and your support of God's Kingdom work through our church. As the apostle Paul blessed his people in Corinth, "May God enrich you in every way for your great generosity!"
Rev. Dr. William O. (Bud) Reeves
Senior Pastor
479.782.5068
Senior Pastor
479.782.5068
Dear church family,
The Foundation at First United Methodist Church exists to support and grow the Christ-centered ministry of our church. Through gifts received from members and friends, those who came before us and those who dream with us, FUMC continues to build a firm foundation for the future.
We live in the most philanthropic country in the world and the largest area of giving is to churches and church-related organizations. First United Methodist Church is no exception. The 2022 annual report on this website shows the incredible impact of gifts to the foundation endowment. We are focused on the future, but the Foundation’s impact is in the present.
The Foundation is growing under the stewardship of our foundation board and the management of the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas. The foundation will continue to support the budget of FUMC with annual financial support in multiple ways. The community grants program will continue to shine the light of Christ in our communities and help to grow our faith family. A strong Foundation ensures the financial security of our church in the heart of Fort Smith for future generations.
We drink from wells we have not dug and enjoy liberties we did not win. As we remember the church and the Foundation in our prayers, our wills and other giving, we fulfill the scripture: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.” (Luke 12:48)
As we thank God for those who have built our Foundation, as we place our trust in God’s plan for the future, we encourage your continued gift support. Please let me be a resource for you and contact me with any questions or concerns, or for more information about giving to the Foundation of First United Methodist Church.
In Christ,
Patti Cox
Executive Director
First United Methodist Church Foundation
The Foundation at First United Methodist Church exists to support and grow the Christ-centered ministry of our church. Through gifts received from members and friends, those who came before us and those who dream with us, FUMC continues to build a firm foundation for the future.
We live in the most philanthropic country in the world and the largest area of giving is to churches and church-related organizations. First United Methodist Church is no exception. The 2022 annual report on this website shows the incredible impact of gifts to the foundation endowment. We are focused on the future, but the Foundation’s impact is in the present.
The Foundation is growing under the stewardship of our foundation board and the management of the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas. The foundation will continue to support the budget of FUMC with annual financial support in multiple ways. The community grants program will continue to shine the light of Christ in our communities and help to grow our faith family. A strong Foundation ensures the financial security of our church in the heart of Fort Smith for future generations.
We drink from wells we have not dug and enjoy liberties we did not win. As we remember the church and the Foundation in our prayers, our wills and other giving, we fulfill the scripture: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.” (Luke 12:48)
As we thank God for those who have built our Foundation, as we place our trust in God’s plan for the future, we encourage your continued gift support. Please let me be a resource for you and contact me with any questions or concerns, or for more information about giving to the Foundation of First United Methodist Church.
In Christ,
Patti Cox
Executive Director
First United Methodist Church Foundation
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Ways to Give
“Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17)
People give for many reasons – sometimes a one-time gift in honor or in memory of someone; for a particular purpose or ministry; to build the foundation for the future. Every gift to the First Methodist Church Foundation is a gift back to God our Father.
The board of the Foundation and the leadership of our church will respect the donor intent and steward every gift to expand and sustain the ministries of First United Methodist Church.
There are many ways to give:
The foundation is here to secure, expand, and enhance the work of First United Methodist Church. Please contact Pastor Bud Reeves or executive director Patti Cox for more information or with any question or concern.
People give for many reasons – sometimes a one-time gift in honor or in memory of someone; for a particular purpose or ministry; to build the foundation for the future. Every gift to the First Methodist Church Foundation is a gift back to God our Father.
The board of the Foundation and the leadership of our church will respect the donor intent and steward every gift to expand and sustain the ministries of First United Methodist Church.
There are many ways to give:
- Outright gifts of cash
- Bequests from wills or trusts
- Gifts of stock, bonds, mutual funds, real estate
- Charitable gift annuities
- Charitable remainder trusts
- Life insurance
- Donor advised fund
The foundation is here to secure, expand, and enhance the work of First United Methodist Church. Please contact Pastor Bud Reeves or executive director Patti Cox for more information or with any question or concern.
First United Methodist Foundation Community Grant
Mission:
To establish a community grant program to support the ongoing and new ministry of the church without impact to the annual budget of the church
Vision:
To shine the light of Christ (Matthew 25:40) in the community, region and world through a grant program designed to empower and engage others in meaningful mission
Funding Priorities:
The above list identifies priorities; however, all grant applications will be reviewed for consideration.
Application Pool:
Criteria:
To be established by the First United Methodist Church Foundation Board and vetted by the committee established by the Foundation Board.
Timeline:
Initially, grants applications will be accepted in July, considered in August, and awarded in the fall. The schedule can be modified by the board of the First United Methodist Church Foundation of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
To establish a community grant program to support the ongoing and new ministry of the church without impact to the annual budget of the church
Vision:
To shine the light of Christ (Matthew 25:40) in the community, region and world through a grant program designed to empower and engage others in meaningful mission
Funding Priorities:
- Projects within FUMC not addressed in annual budget which enhance the ministry of the church;
- Projects designed to help marginalized populations in our community;
- Projects which address basic human needs - for example projects to alleviate hunger, provide clean water and address other environmental needs; to combat homelessness; to create safe environments for children, and the like; and,
- Projects with matching funds or additional sources of financial support.
The above list identifies priorities; however, all grant applications will be reviewed for consideration.
Application Pool:
- Individuals within the congregation with qualified projects;
- Non-profits addressing critical needs; and
- Individuals or organizations with matching funding for qualified projects.
Criteria:
To be established by the First United Methodist Church Foundation Board and vetted by the committee established by the Foundation Board.
Timeline:
Initially, grants applications will be accepted in July, considered in August, and awarded in the fall. The schedule can be modified by the board of the First United Methodist Church Foundation of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
FUMC FOUNDATION 2022 COMMUNITY GRANTS
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In the last four years, the FSFUMC Foundation has provided about $100,000 a year to deserving non-profits in the Fort Smith region who are doing amazing ministry for God’s children. Our community grants help human needs and broaden the scope and reputation of our church in the community. The recipients of the 2022 Community Grants were:
What a privilege to serve our community and those in need with the love of Christ! Anyone wanting to be a part of this life-changing and permanent ministry may contact Mrs. Patti Cox, executive director of the Foundation, through the church office or pcox@fsfumc.org. |
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