From Tom’s Desk 

Greetings and congratulations! You survived two of what many consider some of the most difficult years in the life of their church or agency. Thank you for all that you do to encourage and live a life of love, faith, and forgiveness to a broken world.

During this period of disruptions the Foundation’s board of directors and staff have also worked hard to continue offering our services in new and different ways. Like you, we are becoming more comfortable with Zoom meetings, Vimeo broadcasts, social media, and more. We’ve also made it easier for churches to do business with us online, through an updated statement portal, and e-signature capacity.

This is not to suggest that we don’t miss meeting you in your church or across from your kitchen table! We pray that day returns soon.

We announced last year the decision to update our brand and change our name to Faith Foundation Northwest. We have generally heard very positive responses to this decision. We also hold fast to our United Methodist connection with a board comprised of the Bishop, Conference Treasurers, and 18 multi-generational UM clergy and lay persons.

It is my pleasure to report that our investment services are growing. At the close of 2021 we had $90+ Million under management. We continue our partnership with Wespath, not only because their smart and disciplined investment strategy gives us confidence, but also because they strive to be a great example of Christian stewardship.

I hope you find this annual review helpful. In particular, I hope you read the story of Jean Reis.  Her legacy is a remarkable example of Christian stewardship, both during her life and after.

Respectfully,

Independent Auditor: Moss Adams

*Audited 2020 financials are available upon request. Audited 2021 financials are available here.

Our faith guides our decisions and leads us to socially responsible and ethically sound funds that reflect the values of our team and the ministries we work with. In partnership with Wespath, we manage endowments, long-term investments, and reserve funds on behalf of churches, camps, conferences, and agencies.

We help churches fulfill their missions by offering low-hassle loans for capital improvements and new construction. Interest paid on church loans goes back into our faith community, supporting churches that have invested rainy day funds with us.

Interest rate WSJ Prime + 0.5%

Every portfolio we offer represents faith-based, sustainable investment strategies.

Through our investment partner, Wespath, we avoid companies that pose ethical risks as outlined in the United Methodist Church’s Social Principles, engage in shareholder advocacy, and invest for positive impact. 

We’re proud to offer this family of portfolios specifically designed for United Methodist Institutions to meet their long-term goals.

BOARD OFFICERS

• Robert Ives, President

• LaVerne Lewis, Vice President

• Larry Nelson, Secretary

• Barbara Dadd Shaffer,
             Treasurer

EX OFFICIO 

• Bishop Elaine Stanovsky

• Brant Henshaw, PNW Conference Treasurer

• Rev. Dan Wilson-Fey, OR-ID Conference Treasurer 

BOARD MEMBERS

• Nik Halladay

• Darrell Lowe

• Rev. Chuck Hindman

• Gaye Pierson

• Rev. John Watts

• Chris Bafus

• Rev. Ron Myers

• Rev. Lynn Rabenstein

• Mike Hartwig

• Emily Rigler

• Rev. Peter Perry

• Rev. Erica Spaet

• Pastor Buddy Gharring

• Cynthia MacLeod

“Jean Reis knew the Conference better than anyone.”

That’s what longtime coworkers told us: “She was an institution.” “She had her finger on the pulse and wise counsel to offer.” Jean worked as administrative secretary to the Bishop in the PNW Conference office from 1965-94, serving alongside Bishops Everett Palmer, Maynard Sparks, Wilbur Y.W. Choy, Melvin Talbert, and Calvin McConnell.

Colleagues describe her as a standard-bearer. “She was so particular about the Bishop’s office that everything was done absolutely correctly,” remembers Doris Hollister. Inge Hart adds that “she went by the strict old rules” and kept pastoral appointments secret so that nothing got “leaked” before the morning of Annual Conference. She could seem aloof and serious at first, but once you got to know her, she was warm and gracious, with a twinkle in her eye.

Tom Wilson, the Foundation’s Executive Director, remembers hearing her typewriter still going at midnight from across the hallway in the staff housing during Annual Conference. “Her dedication to the United Methodist Church and to the Office of the Bishop was remarkable.”  

Claire Gebbens summarized Jean’s long career this way: “She was [part] of that generation of women who were kept many rungs down on the ladder despite their obvious, capable brilliance.” Without overstepping, she quietly supported our area’s first two Bishops of color, helped advance inclusion across the region, and mentored younger women. Perhaps she could sense a not-too-distant future in which a woman would hold the episcopal office itself.

Whatever future Jean Reis imagined for the conference, she wanted to help fund it beyond her lifetime. Upon her death in 2006, a generous bequest was left to the Foundation. Grants from the gift’s earnings have supported United Methodist projects in the Northwest ever since, from repairs on a grocery rescue truck in Tukwila, to after-school programming for marginalized kids in Vancouver.

Jean knew the Conference better than anybody and supported it not only through a nearly 30- year career, but with a legacy gift that continues to fund its work beyond her lifetime. That’s quite the vote of confidence. We’re honored to help share her story and steward her gift.