January marks Foundation Month

Each year, January is recognized as Foundation Month throughout our annual conference. The Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation uses this time to create awareness of the need for proper estate planning.

More than half of all adults in our country do not have a will. If you die without a will, the state will decide how your estate is distributed and who will care for your minor children or individuals with special needs.

The cost of preparing a will is worth the peace of mind, knowing your desires will be accomplished.

One of the best motivators for having a will is a desire to help your favorite charitable causes, such as your church or a United Methodist ministry. With just a few words, you can take care of your family, your friends, and the causes important to you. By doing this, you ensure your legacy and your passion for mission and ministry will continue well beyond your lifetime.

A bequest is perhaps the easiest and most tangible way to have a lasting impact on the people and organizations that mean the most to you. A bequest also may be an effective way to make a gift and lessen the burden of taxes on your family or your estate.

A will is an excellent way to give without giving anything away today. Consider including a tithe of your will to benefit your United Methodist church or favorite ministry. By including your church or other United Methodist cause in your will, you can make a gift knowing you can live your life without sacrificing anything right now.

The Foundation is available to assist you in establishing an endowment for your church through your estate plan.

Please contact our offices for information about legacy planning and establishing permanent funds. Visit the Foundation’s website, www.okumf.org,  or call 800-259-6863.

Your generosity and planning today will make a significant difference in ministry.

About The Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation

The purpose of the Foundation is to ensure and enrich the ministries of future generations. We do this by attracting and managing endowment funds for Oklahoma United Methodist churches, institutions, and agencies. We assist churches in establishing and promoting permanent endowment fund programs, present seminars to encourage estate planning and charitable giving, and assist individuals in making gifts to their churches or other United Methodist causes.

• We have four planned-giving staff specially trained in estate planning, endowment formation, and church finance, to provide your church the best service possible.
• We work with individual donors and their professional advisers regarding planned and estate gifts to their local United Methodist churches and favorite United Methodist causes.
• We are a resource for donor recognition programs, endowment formation, gift acceptance policies, financial literacy programs, wills/trusts, and stewardship seminars for church leaders, Sunday school classes, and other groups.
• We provide customized brochures, will and trust guides, and bulletin inserts to increase awareness for permanent endowment programs within a local church.