FIRST METHODIST CHURCH OF FORT WORTH FOUNDATION INC

THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF MANY DEDICATED MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF FORT WORTH, THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH OF FORT WORTH FOUNDATION INC. CONTINUED ITS TRADITION OF BUILDING ITS ASSET BASE AND GENERATING INCOME FOR CHURCH USE. WE ARE CONTINUALLY THANKFUL FOR LEGACY DONATIONS THAT ALLOW DONORS TO MAKE A GIFT AND KNOW IT WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR CHURCH IN PERPETUITY. THROUGH LEGACY GIVING, PEOPLE WHO LOVE OUR GREAT CHURCH CONTINUE GIVING BEYOND THEIR LIFETIMES. EACH DONOR'S PHILANTHROPY AND MEMORY LIVE FOREVER. IT'S ALMOST AS IF THEY CONTINUE TO WRITE A CHECK TO THE CHURCH EVERY YEAR BECAUSE THEIR ORIGINAL GIFT TO THE FOUNDATION IS STILL INTACT, PRODUCING ANNUAL INCOME FOR THE CHURCH. HAVING ANNUAL INCOME PRODUCED BY THE ENDOWMENT ASSURES GIFTS EXTEND THROUGH MULTIPLE GENERATIONS BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE STRUCTURE OF THE FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT. THE FOUNDATION'S ENDOWMENT USES ONLY THE INTEREST AND INCOME GENERATED FROM ORIGINAL DONATIONS SUPPORTING THE CHURCH AND ITS ENTIRE COMMUNITY, NEVER TOUCHING THE ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTIONS THAT FORM THE CORPUS OF THE FUND. SINCE ITS BEGINNING IN 1964, THE FOUNDATION HAS RELEASED OVER $72.5 MILLION TO OUR CHURCH. WE STRIVE TO HAVE EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THE FOUNDATION'S VALUE IN ITS INTERRELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHURCH. THE FOUNDATION WORKS DILIGENTLY TO ASSURE THAT CONGREGANTS KNOW ABOUT HOW THE FOUNDATION OPERATES AND TAKE PRIDE IN ITS FUNCTION TO HELP THE CHURCH DO ITS INVALUABLE WORK. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE WISE DECISION OF PAST AND PRESENT BOARDS OF THE FOUNDATION AS THEY FULFILL THE DREAM OF OUR 1964 FOUNDERS. IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION RELEASED A TOTAL OF $3.067 MILLION IN EARNINGS TO THE CHURCH FOR THEIR USE TO SUPPORT ITS MOST PRESSING NEEDS. THIS FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION ENABLED THE CHURCH TO UNDERTAKE A SERIES OF CRITICAL MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, ENSURING THE CONTINUED FUNCTIONALITY AND ENHANCEMENT OF ITS FACILITIES. KEY INITIATIVES FUNDED BY THESE EARNINGS INCLUDED THE REPAIR OF THE SANCTUARY CEILING, THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MULTIZONE HVAC SYSTEM FOR THE MAIN CHURCH, LIGHTING UPGRADES IN THE CHAPEL, INSTALLATION OF GATES FOR THE GARDEN, AND RENOVATIONS TO THE FOUNDATION'S SECOND FLOOR. ADDITIONALLY, THE FUNDS FACILITATED FLOOD DAMAGE REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS TO THE JUSTIN YOUTH BUILDING, THE INSTALLATION OF NEW CAMERAS AND AN INTERCOM SYSTEM FOR THE PRESCHOOL, ELEVATOR REPAIRS, AND THE ADDITION OF CAMERAS FOR THE 11:11 WORSHIP SERVICES. BEYOND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, THESE FUNDS ALSO PROVIDED VITAL SUPPORT TO THE METHODIST JUSTICE MINISTRY, FIRST STREET MISSION, AND DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY MINISTRIES, REINFORCING THE CHURCH'S COMMITMENT TO SERVING ITS CONGREGATION AND COMMUNITY. OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE WE HAVE CLEAR, UNDERSTANDABLE, AND TRANSPARENT INFORMATION ABOUT FOUNDATION OPERATIONS, EFFORTS, AND RESULTS. WE SHARE FACTS AND FIGURES WITH INTERESTED PARTIES THROUGH PRINT COLLATERAL MATERIALS, GUEST LECTURES FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES, SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, AND OUR WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.FMCFOUNDATION.ORG. THE FOUNDATION'S ENDOWMENT CONTINUES TO BE A TIMELESS, ENDURING RESOURCE FOR THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF FORT WORTH. WE HOPE TO INSPIRE OUR FUMCFW FAMILY TO BECOME EVEN MORE INTERESTED IN WHAT THE FOUNDATION HAS RELEASED TO THE CHURCH FOR ITS PROGRAMS, SERVICES, AND OUTREACH. WE HOPE THEY WILL APPRECIATE THAT WE EXIST ONLY TO ENHANCE THE CHURCH THROUGH ONGOING UNDERWRITING MADE POSSIBLE BY LEGACY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OUR ALTRUISTIC, GENEROUS DONORS.