The purpose of the PHUMC Foundation is to strengthen the ministries and mission of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church through planned giving and endowment, enabling persons to grow in faith in Christ.

On October 27, 2003, at the request of the Board of Trustees and the Endowment Committee, a charge conference at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church created the PHUMC Foundation. The journey actually began in 1985 when the late Alton Raney made a gift of $50,000 to PHUMC. The Board of Trustees, under the leadership of Maurice Mitchell, wisely decided not to simply add the $50,000 to the 1985 church budget. Instead, the Board of Trustees used this initial gift to establish the PHUMC Endowment Fund, the forerunner of the Foundation. Since 1985, the principal value of gifts and bequests have created many wonderful endowment funds benefiting PHUMC and the many ministries and services it provides. The Endowment Funds have grown from $50,000 in 1985 to over $5 million at the end of 2010.

As with all endowment funds, the principal is never spent. The income is available to support the ministries of PHUMC. The establishment of the PHUMC Foundation provides the framework for assisting members in making both lifetime gifts and bequests to strengthen PHUMC in perpetuity.

The Foundation makes many grants every year, the largest of which is a pledge of $70,000 to the operating budget of the church. Other grants have been made to Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Mission, Older Adult Ministry, music and arts scholarships, TV ministry, and others.  

A primary task of the Foundation is to encourage members to remember the church in their wills. As of May, 2011, over 200 PHUMC members have told the Foundation that they have already designated the church in their wills – or plan to do so soon. These members make up the Willing Friends Society and are honored every fall by a luncheon or dinner.

Those who would like to know more about becoming a Willing Friend are encouraged to contact Rev. Lynn Lindsey, Director, at 664-3600. Thank you to all who have provided support and given freely. The “Foundation”has been laid to provide permanent support of PHUMC so that both current members, future members and the community may benefit forever from the numerous ministries this church provides.