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.
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.
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2025 Grant Solicitation Letter2023 Annual Report |
2025 Foundation Grant Application |
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 2023 COMMUNITY GRANTS
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In the last five years, the FSFUMC Foundation has provided over $480,000 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. This year our grants were awarded to 23 deserving agencies. Recipients of the 2023 Community Grants were:
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