1. Why does the church need a foundation?
2. How does the Foundation complement the Mission and Service Fund?
3. How does the Foundation relate to The United Church of Canada?
4. How will the Foundation invest my gift?
5. How does the Foundation make granting decisions?
6. Can I trust the Foundation?

God led the prophet Jeremiah to purchase a field as the nation of Israel faced deportation (Jeremiah 32, 1-15). In response to God's call and in the face of deep uncertainty, he spent his precious coins on a piece of land, and his scarce hours arranging a real estate contract. When the children of Israel were finally allowed to return; Jeremiah's field welcomed them. It gave them food, a sign of God's provision for them, and a symbol of the rewards of faithfulness. The sustaining crops reminded them that there is a hopeful future for the people of God.

In the same way, the Foundation provides a harvest for the future. It is a pathway for faithful stewards who choose to devote some of their resources to the next generations of the church. back to top

The Mission and Service (M&S) Fund is the key support for the immediate regional, national and global ministries of The United Church of Canada. Most gifts to the M&S Fund are spent in the year they are received to fund current needs. Gifts to the Foundation's endowments are intended as investments, to create reliable income for ministries year after year. Just as an individual or family divides income between current spending (rent or mortgage, food, transportation, clothing) and investment for future needs (retirement, the education of children, improved income in the future), members of the United Church can be mindful of future generations by contributing to a Foundation endowment fund, or by building a personal endowment to support their congregation and other valuable ministries within and beyond the church. The Mission and Service Fund supports program priorities as set by the General Council and it's Executive. Gifts through the United Church Foundation may support any program of the church or a Canadian charity of the donor's choice (if a flow through gift) or personal endowment. back to top

The law requires any foundation to be a separately incorporated body governed by an independent Board of Directors. The directors of The United Church of Canada Foundation include United Church members throughout Canada as well as the Moderator and the General Secretary or their nominees.

The fundamental purpose of the Foundation is to support the United Church in every way it can. The Board is committed to the principles of Future Directions: The Mission Vision and Direction of the United Church (Nov. 2001). Recent General Council Priorities also are considered in funding decisions. It submits a report to every General Council Executive meeting to keep the church informed.

You will hear United Church staff members talking about the Foundation from time to time, along with the Mission and Service Fund and special appeals for emergency response. For instance, the Financial Development Officers share information about the Foundation with people who might be interested in this means of supporting the denomination or their congregation, as well as informing people about other opportunities for generosity to the work of the United Church.

Staff and volunteers of the Foundation and The United Church want to help you give in the ways that you find most meaningful. Just as we all have different gifts within the one Spirit, we all have different stewardship passions within the mission of God. The Foundation serves people with a particular concern for the future of the church, its congregations, community ministers, and partnerships. It is one part of a vital web of support to the work of The United Church of Canada. back to top

The Foundation has adopted the socially responsible investing (SRI) policies of The United Church. We avoid companies that earn significant revenues from alcohol, weapons, tobacco, pornography, gaming, or unsafe products. We seek out companies that lead their sectors in adopting and enforcing an ethical code, treating their workers fairly, respecting and consulting with their host communities and stewarding God's environment. Within these boundaries, we maintain a conservative investment strategy that maximizes return while minimizing volatility. back to top

The Living Spirit Endowment Fund and the Mission Focus Funds are intended always and only to support the work of The United Church of Canada, including its General Council, Conferences, Presbyteries, congregations and missions, as well as its related institutions such as theological colleges, camps and seniors' homes.

Organizations related to The United Church of Canada and registered as a charity with the Canada Revenue Agency may apply for a grant from these funds, for their own work in Canada or their work with global partners. Click here for the latest application information.

The Joint Grants Committee of the Foundation's and the United Church of Canada reviews applications and recommends granting decisions to the Foundation Board in keeping with current Granting Guidelines for the Foundation. The Joint Grants Committee is also guided by the policies and overall directions of The United Church of Canada as expressed in the decisions of The General Council, and, for applications to the Mission Focus Funds, by the "Future Directions" document that inspired the relevant Fund's creation.

Grants from Personal Endowments are distributed according to agreements between the donors and the Foundation Board of Directors.

The Foundation reports on its granting activities to each meeting of the General Council Executive and in the Foundation's Annual Report.

Click here for a list of grant recipients in the most recent calendar year. back to top

Absolutely. We are registered with the Canada Revenue Agency. We issue tax receipts promptly for all donations. We are audited annually and publish an annual report. An active Investment Committee oversees our investments. An Audit Committee reviews each year's Audit to make sure we are fully compliant in our financial accounting with CRA guidelines for Foundations. We believe in a personal, accountable and respectful relationship with our donors, and consider it a privilege to hold in trust your gift to the future. back to top