News & Events
Jun 12, 2020
When the COVID-19 pandemic started, there were many questions and unknowns for churches across the state. However, for one local church an answer came quickly.
For Rev. Christopher Eshelman, pastor at Pretty Prairie UMC in Pretty Prairie, Kansas, it was an easy decision to continue paying their staff throughout the pandemic.
“One of the first decisions I made when we suspended in-person worship is that we are going to continue... Keep ReadingJun 10, 2020
Through generous gifts, the Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation is excited to announce the Pathways for Discipleship grant application is now available. Applications are due to the Foundation by September 1, 2020.
“I am excited the Foundation is offering these grants to be a catalyst to change lives across the connection,” Dustin Petz, President and CEO of the Foundation, said. “The vision of these Pathways for Discipleship is to help ch... Keep Reading
Jun 10, 2020
The Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation is pleased to announce the 2020/21 KAUMF Seminary Scholarship application is now available online at www.kaumf.org.
The scholarship is available to seminary students who are a certified candidate for ministry or a provisional member of the Great Plains Conference from churches in Kansas. The deadline to apply is July 31, 2020.
The Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation Seminary Scho... Keep Reading
May 17, 2020
Throughout their marriage, Rev. Lance and Kristi Carrithers discussed the need to create an estate plan, but were anxious about the cost. In 2008, when presented with an opportunity to meet with John Griffin, an estate planning attorney with Stewardship Counseling LLC, they decided to take action and create their plan.
During their meetings with John, the Carrithers were guided through decisions on their health care and finances.
By having thes... Keep ReadingMay 15, 2020
With interest rates reaching record lows, many churches are considering if now is the time to refinance or consolidate existing debt. As your church or organization prayerfully enters this season, we invite you to consider the Foundation, in partnership with the United Methodist Development Fund, as a possible lender to refinance an existing loan or secure a new loan.
Together, the Foundation and UMDF offer unparalleled expertise in church loans, not to m... Keep Reading
Apr 19, 2020
In March, Dr. Sarah Diamond joined the Foundation as the new Director of Legacy Giving. Her background includes extensive experience working with non-profits, especially in different roles within churches. In her new role, Sarah will work with individuals, churches, and UM organizations to help expand planned giving and legacy ministries across Kansas.
“I am very excited about Sarah coming to join our team,” President Rev. Dr. Dustin Petz said. &ld... Keep Reading
Apr 17, 2020
The Foundation released the investment summary for first quarter. The rapid escalation of the COVID-19 virus into a global pandemic drove U.S. equity markets to record high volatility levels, as measured by the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX). The VIX hit an all-time high of 82.7 on March 16, which was just above its peak during the 2008 financial crisis.
Quicklinks
1st Quarter Investment Summary
Fund Asset Allocations
Monthly ... Keep ReadingApr 1, 2020
Our goal is to help you and your church navigate the challenging time as a result of COVID-19. Below is a list a resources to help as we go through this together. To read the response from President Dustin Petz, click here.
Funding Considerations
1. Establish reoccurring and online giving options. A few possible providers are:
• VANCO — Go to www.vancopaymen... Keep Reading
Mar 31, 2020
The Certificate of Participation is the funding source of the Foundation's Church Development Loan Fund providing loans to the Great Plains Conference United Methodist Churches and related institutions throughout the state of Kansas and Nebraska for the purchase of real estate, building new church starts, renovating existing buildings, large maintenance projects, operating needs and re-financing existing indebtedness. The Certificate of Participat... Keep Reading
Mar 18, 2020
Message from President and CEO, Rev. Dr. Dustin Petz
RE: Foundation Response to COVID-19
Dear Friends,
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ our Risen Lord. In the midst of these changing times, I want to share what the Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation will be doing in response to COVID-19.
Foundation Operations:
Although the outcome of the next few... Keep Reading
Mar 12, 2020
With the growing number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Kansas, the decision was made to postpone the Investing for the Future Seminars originally scheduled for March 16-18, as well as to cancel the Leaving a Lasting Legacy Workshop in Colby on March 24.
“For the health and safety of the attendees we have made the difficult decision to postpone the Wespath tour and cancel the Colby workshop,” Rev. Dr. Dustin Petz said. “We believe that ... Keep Reading
Mar 8, 2020
When pioneers moved into the Great Plains in the 1850s, they were looking for the opportunity to build homes, start churches, and develop farms. They wanted to create communities. What they ended up establishing are some of the country’s most prolific farmlands, America’s breadbasket. These hardworking visionaries left a legacy of community development and faith.
The pioneering spirit that founded Kansas and Nebraska has continued to... Keep Reading
Mar 6, 2020
The Pass the Torch Scholarship Fund is sponsored by the Great Plains Association of Retired Clergy and Spouses (GPARCS) to assist certified candidates for ministry with their educational expenses. Since the founding of the scholarship in 1991, more than $86,000 has been awarded in scholarships to support women and men called by God who will be pursuing their seminary or Course of Study education.
The deadline to apply for the 2020-2021 conference year ... Keep Reading
Mar 2, 2020
This spring, you are invited to join us for an Investing for the Future Seminar, in partnership with Wespath Institutional Investments, and a Leaving a Lasting Legacy Workshop.
To register for a seminar or workshop, please visit www.kaumf.org/register. For more information, please visit our website.
Investing for the Future Seminar in partnership with Wespath
Hear a Wespath representative share about resources for investing you... Keep ReadingJan 12, 2020
The start of a new year can bring a lot of changes and, for many churches, one of those changes is new committee members. If your church has accounts with the Foundation, please take a few minutes to update the authorized signers who can make changes and request distributions from your accounts. Account update forms can be found on our website.
In addition, with the November transition to Wespath Institutional Investments as our investment partner, churches saw a f... Keep Reading
Jan 10, 2020
The Kansas Area and Nebraska United Methodist Foundations invite all pastors of the Orders and Fellowship gathering to attend a Pastor Appreciation Reception on Wednesday, January 15 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 8320 South St, in Lincoln. The reception is come-and-go and heavy hors d’oeuvres and dessert bites will be served.
We are grateful for your mini... Keep Reading
Dec 6, 2019
At the end of November some of the donors and board members, past and present, came together to celebrate the work God has done and is doing through the Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation. Through the generosity of United Methodist families and the leadership and direction of the Board of Trustees, the Foundation is changing lives across Kansas.
The first Legacy Luncheon was a vision of Rev. Dr. Dustin Petz, President and CEO of the Foundation, and ... Keep Reading
Nov 10, 2019
Recognizing that youth disciples are vital to the future of the church, leaders at Alida Upland Cooperative Parish, a United Methodist congregation, began making plans to partner with another local church for children’s ministry. To help make their vision possible, they applied for a Children and Youth Pathways for Discipleship Grant to help with the transportation cost.
Alida, a small country church near Junction City, de... Keep Reading
Nov 10, 2019
After 15 years of service, Lee Sankey will retire from the Kansas Area Foundation at the end of December.
Lee joined the Foundation staff in 2004 as the Director of Stewardship Services. During his tenure, Lee played a vital role for many churches through serving as a consultant, designing and implementing many capital campaigns. In addition, Lee helped with annual stewardship commitment programs and on New Consecration Sunday, often spoke in churches across the st... Keep Reading
Oct 13, 2019
On November 1, 2019, the Foundation will move its investments to Wespath Institutional Investments. Wespath may be familiar to many as they manage the pension benefits for the conference clergy and are highly trusted.
After a diligent review of multiple investment companies, the Board of Trustees of the Foundation voted to move the assets to Wespath. They are a leader in the investment industry and pioneer in providing sustainable and socially respons... Keep Reading
Aug 11, 2019
Pass the Torch Awards Seminary Scholarships
Over the years, the cost of a seminary education has increased while the financial support available has decreased. As a result, some individuals feeling God’s call into ministry look for routes to reduce the cost and others do not believe they can afford to answer God’s call in their lives at all.
“Many seminary students end up with a great deal of debt,” Rev. Gary Beach, Pass the Torch Cha... Keep Reading
Jul 15, 2019
At the end of June, Lenexa United Methodist Church celebrated its 150th anniversary and, since its inception, lives have been transformed through the generosity of its members.
Since the first year of the church's history, members of the congregation showed generosity through supporting various needs and ministries within the church. During its first year in the spring of 1870, a subscription was circulated for the purpose of building a parsonage. Through generous ... Keep Reading
May 10, 2019
Nedra Starkey gives back through a Charitable Gift Annuity
From a young age, Nedra Starkey knew she wanted to be involved in ministry and giving back to others.
As a student at Southwestern College in Winfield, KS, Nedra wanted to go to the mission field. Her junior year, she met the love of her life, James (Jim), and they quickly began planning their lives together serving Christ.
Although not everything went as planned, together they ... Keep Reading
Mar 1, 2019
Leaving A Lasting Legacy Workshops
Rev. Dr. Dustin Petz shares his vision for the upcoming Leaving a Lasting Legacy Workshops.
The workshops will be held on the following dates and locations from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm CT. Lunch will be provided. Register here.
March 12 – Garden City, KS
First United Methodist Church
March 19 – Topeka, K... Keep Reading
Apr 13, 2018
The Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation announces the next President and CEO will be the Rev. Dr. Dustin Petz
HUTCHINSON, KS – The Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation Board of Trustees is proud to announce that the Rev. Dr. Dustin Petz will be the next President and CEO of the Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation of the Great Plains Annual Conference effective July 1, 2018. Petz comes to the Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation from his pastoral... Keep Reading
Dec 20, 2017
New Tax Reform Legislation raises the standard deduction for income taxes beginning in 2018. The Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that the number of taxpayers who will itemize their deductions in 2018 (and thereby get tax savings from charitable gifts) will fall from 40 million under current law to just 9 million under the new legislation.
If you currently itemize, and are financially able to do so, consider giving some or all of... Keep Reading
Aug 2, 2016
Healthy conversations should be a two-way street. Science tells us that we spend 60 percent of our conversations talking about ourselves. Unfortunately, leaders can talk too much, not necessarily by monopolizing conversations, but by giving too many answers. How do you know if you are a leader who talks too much? What can you do to stop?
Consider these indicators:
You do more than half the talking in staff meetings. If you ... Keep ReadingDec 22, 2015
Double your impact with an IRA Charitable Rollover gift in 2015 and another in early 2016.
If you are 70½ or older and own an IRA, there is something you should know.
Congress passed a law that makes the IRA charitable rollover permanent retroactive to December 31, 2014.
Gifts transferred directly from your IRA to your United Methodist church and/or favorite ministry at any point during 2015 will qualify as a charitable rollover gift. These g... Keep Reading
Nov 16, 2015
The Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation partners with John Griffin, of Stewardship Counseling, LLC to provide FREE Estate Planning services. This service offers you a comprehensive guidance in planning your estate so that it may minimize income, gift, estate and inheritance taxes and facilitate smooth business, farm and asset transitions. The draft plan may then be given to your attorney to formalize. This is a service that is scheduled ONLY by appoin... Keep Reading
May 22, 2015
Donor E-newsletter Sign Up
Thank you for your interest in Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation, Inc. We are delighted to make available to you our monthly e-newsletter. Many of our friends find this very interesting and helpful. It features news from Washington, Savvy Living, gift stories, finance news and timely articles. You may receive our regular updates at no cost or obligation simply by clicking this link.
Apr 22, 2015
AVAILABLE NOW! Church Building Projects - A Leadership Guide
With any decision to expand, update, replace, move, or change your facility, there comes another equally complex challenge: how to make it happen. Typically, this challenge requires time, vision, commitment, energy, financial stability and an extra measure of guidance to step you through what can be a very stressful process.
The Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation has advised and guided many c... Keep Reading
Feb 20, 2015
Welcome! We are pleased that you have interest in learning about the many benefits of gift plans. If you have any questions about the best way for you to benefit through a planned gift, please call. A member of our Planned Giving Team will be very pleased to help you.
Donor Stories
Learn how others have made an impact through their acts of giving to our organization and others. Explore the many benefits of charitable gift planning....
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Gift Options
... Keep ReadingFeb 18, 2015
The Foundation will assist your church by evaluating, designing and directing your capital stewardship campaign. Using proven approaches, each capital campaign is custom designed. An initial pre-campaign evaluation study will be conducted to determine manageable goals for the campaign as well as secure information concerning probable support for the campaign.
The initial stage is followed by preparation and an intensive campaign. The Foundation staff will provide a... Keep Reading
