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Yes, HM Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. All gifts made to benefit funds administered by HM Foundation qualify as tax deductible charitable gifts.

HM Foundation serves both individuals and congregations that are affiliated with the United Methodist, Global Methodist or other Wesleyan based congregations in Indiana and the surrounding states. Some services are limited to only congregations, such as investing.

HM Foundation provides a variety of services:

• We offer training and support for congregations in developing well rounded stewardship ministries, including annual campaigns and planned giving ministry programs at their locations.
• We work with Endowment Committees in creating the necessary documents and policies to properly manage a planned giving ministry.
• We provide seminars in churches on estate planning or tax wise giving for their members.
• We provide access to socially screened market based investment funds not available to local congregations.
• We manage charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, endowments, and donor advised funds created by donors to benefit a wide variety of ministries, including their local congregations.
• We assist local churches in developing an understanding of the process of a capital campaign.

HM Foundation is separately incorporated from the Indiana UMC Conference, the Greatlakes GMC Conference or any other denomination. It is managed by an independent Board of Directors. It has a long standing relationship supporting the ministry of the UMC Conference and local UM churches in Indiana and has expanded that mission to include Global Methodist and other Wesleyan based congregations.

It depends on the service provided. HM Foundation is funded primarily through management fees for endowment and investment management services. Many services are provided free of charge. This includes seminars at local churches on estate planning, consultation with church leadership on planned giving development, and strengthening stewardship in their congregation. There is a small fee for the stewardship mentoring program HM Foundation offers.

The operating budget is funded by income from management fees, and earnings from HM Foundation’s own investments. None of the management fees of HM Foundation are used to make grants. Grants are generated from endowment funds managed by HM Foundation for those specific ministries.

Yes, the Heartland Methodist Foundation of Indiana is audited by an independent CPA firm. For a copy of the most recent audit report, contact the President.

Yes, the Heartland Methodist Foundation of Indiana (UMFI) files a 990 Informational Tax Return. The Foundation is separately incorporated and has a separate IRS tax exemption letter, which necessitates filing a 990 return. For a copy of the most recent 990 return, contact the President.

Congregations that are affiliated with the United Methodist, Global Methodist or other Wesleyan based denominations in Indiana and the surrounding states.

No, only churches and related agencies may invest funds in the market based pools at HM Foundation. Individuals can, however, create gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts at HM Foundation that will provide annual payments to the individual. Alternatively, individuals can invest in certificates of participation or savings accounts with HM Financial which are used to provide loans to churches in Indiana.

To open a new investment account at the Heartland Methodist Foundation of Indiana, your organization should complete and submit the following two forms which can be found on our resources page.

• ISF Participation Agreement
• ISF New Account Form

Mail your completed ISF Participation Agreement, New Account Opening Form, and check to HM Foundation

Yes, the Heartland Methodist Foundation of Indiana offers several funds which are managed to limit investment in businesses engaged in pornography, gambling, tobacco, alcohol, firearms, or for-profit prisons by screening out selected companies.

ISF is short for Investment Service Fund. These are the funds that are available for local congregations to use for investing their endowment or other investible funds.

Absolutely, we encourage churches to establish individual investment accounts for dedicated funds. Heartland Methodist Foundation will create a parent account that links all the ISF investment accounts of a church, but provides separate individual reporting for each account. There is no additional fee for multiple accounts and due to the tiered fee structure, may actually reduce the total fee.

Only individuals that receive statements for ISF accounts can create an on-line account. Contact Sue Cunningham or Brian Phillips to begin the process.

Yes. HM Foundation offers this service to all our churches and related agencies. Click here to read the simple stock transfer instructions.

Yes. Many donors create endowments at HM Foundation for a particular church, a particular ministry, a scholarship fund, or for the benefit of multiple charitable interests.

Absolutely not. In fact, most of the gift funds managed by HM Foundation benefit congregations or other ministries

Certainly. Many of the charitable funds we manage were created with gifts of real estate or securities. There can be significant tax advantages to the donor in making a gift of real property or securities rather than cash.

HM Foundation manages several scholarship funds with a variety of restrictions. Visit the ENDOWMENTS page and click on the SCHOLARSHIP button to find out if you’re eligible for a scholarship.

Congregations and ministries that are affiliated with the United Methodist, Global Methodist or other Wesleyan based denominations and related agencies within the State of Indiana.

HM Foundation has some endowments that support specific ministry areas, but the largest fund is unrestricted as to purpose. We fund new and emerging ministries as well as infrequent expenses that a congregation may face. We do not fund operational expenses, including salaries or other recurring costs. The maximum grant offered is $15,000.

HM Foundation accepts grants year round, but grants are only disbursed in April and October. The deadline for consideration is April 1 and October 1 each year.