2022 Annual Report

In 2022, KMF continued growing our ministry with Methodist families, churches, and organizations. We are called into this unique ministry of stewardship and generosity so that together we make a lasting difference in the name of Jesus Christ. Thank you for joining us on this shared journey.

Change to Equity Fund Asset Allocation

The Board of Trustees of the Kansas Methodist Foundation voted, after an extensive review through the last six months, to adjust our Equity Fund asset allocation starting at the beginning of October 2022. The allocation change includes reducing the Equity Fund’s allocation to international equities by 10%, and to begin using a socially responsible US Equity Index fund. The Board believes that these modifications will help KMF better meet the needs of the churches and agencies in Kansas, as well as slightly reduce the risk of the Equity Fund.

The new asset allocation for the Equity Fund offered through KMF is as follows:
45% U.S. Equity Fund
20% U.S. Equity Index Fund, and
35% International Equity Fund

This change will only impact the Equity Fund. It will not change the asset allocation of the Balanced Fund.

If you would like to make changes to your asset allocations, or if you have questions about this change, please contact us. You can contact Gloria (gloria@kansasmethodistfoundation.org) or Dustin (dustin@kansasmethodistfoundation.org).

Memorial Planning Guide Available

A booklet titled, To My Loved Ones, is now available from the Kansas Methodist Foundation. By sharing your preferences today, your loved ones will experience greater peace of mind later. Proper planning equips the people you care about with the information they need to settle your affairs and make the right choices.

This guide is designed to help you think about questions your family will need to answer when you pass away. Please share with loved ones that you've recorded your wishes and personal information. Keep your completed planner in a safe but familiar place so that your family can find it, perhaps alongside your estate documents and other important papers like deeds, titles, insurance policies, and tax returns. You may also want to provide a copy to loved ones who are likely to assist with your end-of-life arrangements.

For questions, please contact us at info@kansasmethodistfoundation.org or 620-664-9623.

Kansas Methodist Foundation Seeks Administrative and Operations Associate

The Kansas Methodist Foundation seeks an Administrative and Operations Associate to support the total operation of KMF in fulfillment of its ministry and mission. Areas of focus for the Administrative and Operations Associate include administrative and accounting support as well as communications and marketing. The KMF team is small, and each person adds value in multiple areas.

We seek a team player who has a passion for administrative and operational support while being committed to making an impactful difference in the church and the world.

For the job description and how to apply, click here.

End of Year Giving Brochure Available

A tri-fold brochure promoting year end giving is now available from the Kansas Methodist Foundation. The brochure highlights ways congregation member can support the church through their giving this year, as well as in the future.

Churches have permission to add their logo and contact information to the brochure. All other text and graphics should remain unaltered.

For questions, please contact us at info@kansasmethodistfoundation.org or 620-664-9623.

KMF Announces Named Seminary Scholarship Funds

A key to the future of our church is strong, theologically-educated, pastoral leaders.

The Kansas Methodist Foundation is working to help fill the need though partnering with families, like yours, to create a named scholarship fund to support seminarians as they answer God’s call in their life.

“One of the most profound gifts I was given when following the calling God placed in my life to go to seminary, was the vital support of scholarships,” said Dustin Petz, President of KMF. “Strong leaders often lead to strong and vibrant congregations. With more pastors retiring, the church needs new strong leaders. At a time when the base cost for a Masters of Divinity program averages $50,000, scholarships help pave a path for seminarians to follow their call.”

Through a named scholarship fund, you can impact the life of a seminarian through creating a scholarship that will have a minimum impact of $1,000 per year. The fund can be in your name or in the name of someone you would like to honor, such as a pastor who has impacted your life.

Depending on your goals for the scholarship, either a term fund or an endowed fund can be created. An endowed fund will generate seminary scholarships in perpetuity and is created with an initial gift of at least $25,000, which may be contributed over a period of up to five years. The scholarship amount is designed to increase over time and keep pace with normal inflation. If you want to make an impact over a set number of years, a minimum gift of $5,000 will create a fund that is fully distributed over a period of five or more years.

If you are ready to create a named scholarship fund, or would like additional information, please contact Tyler Curtis, Chief Development Officer of KMF, at Tyler@KansasMethodistFoundation.org or 620-664-9623.

Justice Ministry Grant Deadline Extended

The deadline for the Justice Ministry Grants has been extended to October 14, 2022.

The Justice Ministries pathway provides grants for programs focused on healing racial divisions, increasing equity among God’s children, encouraging inclusion, and broadening people’s understanding of diversity and bias.

The matching grants are awarded to churches and organizations across Kansas to advance ministries, especially in ways that are creative, innovative, and new. For more information, visit kansasmethodistfoundation.org.

The Kansas Methodist Foundation is grateful for the individuals and families who help make the ministry grants possible. If you are interested in learning more about how you can get involved in supporting ministries across Kansas to meet the needs of our changing world by exploring new possibilities, contact Tyler Curtis at tyler@kansasmethodistfoundation.org or 620-664-9623.

If you have any questions, please contact KMF at info@kansasmethodistfoundation.org or 620-664-9623.

Pathways for Discipleship Grants Available

The Kansas Methodist Foundation is offering Pathways for Discipleship Grants to Kansas churches and organizations in four key areas of ministry: Justice Ministries, Children and Youth Programs, Ministry and Outreach, and Leadership Education.

The matching grants are awarded to churches and organizations across Kansas to advance ministries, especially in ways that are creative, innovative, and new. Grant applications will be accepted from June 1 – September 1, 2022. For more information, visit kansasmethodistfoundation.org.

The Kansas Methodist Foundation is grateful for the individuals and families who help make the ministry grants possible. If you are interested in learning more about how you can get involved in supporting ministries across Kansas to meet the needs of our changing world by exploring new possibilities, contact Tyler Curtis at tyler@kansasmethodistfoundation.org or 620-664-9623.

If you have any questions, please contact KMF at info@kansasmethodistfoundation.org or 620-664-9623.

New Grant Focused on Justice Ministries

The Kansas Methodist Foundation is pleased to announce a new Pathways for Discipleship grant focused on Justice Ministries.

In Luke 4, Jesus proclaims that his ministry includes preaching good news to the poor, proclaiming release to prisoners, recovering sight to the blind, liberating the oppressed, and proclaiming Jubilee.

“As the Body of Christ, we are called to do likewise, which includes serving those in need by being the hand, feet, and heart of Jesus in our local contexts,” KMF President Dustin Petz said. “It also means working to change the unjust systems that oppress our neighbors. I am excited for KMF to provide focused grants to help our Methodist partners do justice and work to change the systems that continue to harm.”

Starting in 2022, justice ministry grants will be awarded to Methodist churches and organizations in Kansas for programs focused on healing racial divisions, increasing equity among God’s children, encouraging inclusion, and broadening people’s understanding of diversity and bias.

The justice ministries pathway is one of four pathways in the Pathways for Discipleship grant program. The matching grants are awarded to churches and organizations across Kansas to advance ministries, especially in ways that are creative, innovative, and new. Other Pathways for Discipleship grant areas include: Children and Youth Programs, Ministry and Outreach, and Leadership Education.

Grant applications will be accepted from June 1 – September 1, 2022. For more information, visit www.kansasmethodistfoundation.org.

The Kansas Methodist Foundation is grateful for the individuals and families who help make the ministry grants possible. If you are interested in learning more about how you can get involved in supporting ministries across Kansas to meet the needs of our changing world by exploring new possibilities, contact Tyler Curtis at tyler@kansasmethodistfoundation.org or 620-664-9623.

Kansas Methodist Foundation announces 2022-23 seminary scholarships

The Kansas Methodist Foundation is pleased to announce seminary scholarship applications are currently being accepted for the 2022-23 academic year.

The KMF Seminary Scholarship provides support for ministerial students who are from or serving in Kansas and working toward ordination in the Great Plains Conference.

The Pass the Torch Scholarship is a ministry of retired clergy of the Great Plains Conference as well as their spouses and surviving spouses who are committed to providing funds to educate quality seminary students to lead the church. The scholarship is open to seminary students from the Great Plains Conference.

For more information on these scholarships, visit www.kansasmethodistfoundation.org/scholarships

The deadline to apply is July 15, 2022.

The Kansas Methodist Foundation is grateful for the many individuals, families, and churches who have given to make these scholarships possible. If you are interested in helping raise up the next generation of church leaders by supporting one of these scholarships or creating a named scholarship to honor your ministry, a mentor, or a loved one, please contact Tyler Curtis at tyler@kansasmethodistfoundation.org or call 620-664-9623.