I have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, quality and freedom for their spirits.
– Martin Luther King, Jr.

Options

The Foundation’s investment program offers three investment options for churches and agencies with funds that can be invested for at least 3-5 years. In addition, a short-term Money Market Fund is available. For information on the projected yield for each fund, contact us.

Investment Fund Options

Conservative Portfolio

This fund is invested approximately two-thirds in bonds and one-third in stocks and real assets. The Conservative Portfolio provides the lowest expected return but also the lowest volatility of the three funds. It also generates the highest expected interest and dividend yield.

Moderate Portfolio

This fund maintains a reasonably traditional asset allocation, with approximately 60% invested in stocks and real assets and 40% in bonds. The portfolio offers a moderate expected return and moderate volatility. This is the Foundation’s most commonly used investment option.

Aggressive Portfolio

This fund is about 85% invested in stocks and real assets and 15% in bonds. The Aggressive Portfolio provides the highest expected return but also the highest volatility. Its interest and dividend yield is relatively low.

Money Market

The Foundation maintains a money market fund with Charles Schwab & Company. This account is an interest-bearing fund with very low risk for funds that will be used or needed by investors within one to three years. Investments include asset-backed commercial paper and promissory notes, certificates of deposit, US Treasury bills, etc.

NEW! Short Term Bond Fund
The Foundation now offers a second short term fund for investors.  This option offers higher interest than the Money Market Fund and also has more risk.  Read more... 

Investment Oversight

We retain a professional Investment Consultant, Hammond Associates Institutional Fund Consultants, to ensure that all investments comply with our policies and investment objectives.  The Investment Consultant provides ongoing oversight of the Foundation’s investment fund managers. Hammond conducts ongoing market research and recommends an appropriate asset allocation to meet the objectives of each investment fund offered by the Foundation.  They make regular reports and recommendations to the Investment Committee of the Foundation Board of Directors.  Hammond publishes a quarterly market research analysis.The Foundation's Investment Committee carefully studies and reviews these reports.  This committee brings investment issues to the full board at each regular meeting.

Socially Responsible Investment Practices

The Foundation participates in socially responsible investing as defined by the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. Our fund managers do not invest in companies that have a significant interest in alcoholic beverages, tobacco, gambling, or conventional or nuclear weapons. Investments are also screened with regard to labor practices, human rights and environmental concerns.