Detail and Comparison Table for
United Methodist Funds as of 5/31/2005

Click HERE to download the latest report dated March 31, 2005. Note it is in Adobe PDF format.

From Munder's Report to the UM Foundation
Investment Committee 5/31/2005
Asset Allocation Table

Click HERE to download the latest report dated March 31, 2005. Note it is in Adobe PDF format.

Further Market Information from Munder

Performance Report

Click HERE to download the latest report dated March 31, 2005. Note it is in Adobe PDF format.

Equity Characteristics of the UM Foundation Stock Fund

Click HERE to download the latest report dated December 31th, 2004. Note it is in Adobe PDF format.

Special Note To Churches that Invest With UM Foundation:

BEGINNING with January 2001 Statements

Statements now come to United Methodist client churches from Comerica on a MONTHLY basis.

We have instituted this practice in order to bring our church clients more timely information. It should be noted, that the presence of monthly statements should NOT tempt churches to try to "time" the market by more frequently adjusting their allocations of assets between the three funds offered by the UM Foundation. We must always remember that Endowment assets are invested for the long run.

You may, however change the allocation of your assets each quarter. To change your asset allocation, use the form that accompanies your quarterly account statement. Allocation changes must be sent in to the UM Foundation office before the end of a calendar quarter and will be effective at the beginning of the next calendar quarter. Once the allocation is re-set by Comerica, the fund balance will not be re-balanced until the end of the calendar year.

Example: First UM Church receives their third quarter 2000 statement of account on or about October 17, 2000. They then decide to change their asset allocation. They use the form that comes with their statement, and send it in before December 20, 2000, so that it reaches the office before December 29, 2000. Their new asset allocation will go into effect January 2, 2001. As they go through the year, investment performance may move the allocation slightly to one side or the other of the allocation requested. This will be re-balanced at the end of the calendar year 2001.

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ALLOCATING AMONG THREE FUNDS

The UM Foundation offers three funds for Local Churches through a Trust Arrangement with Comerica Bank, NA:

The Stock Fund
The Bond Fund
The Money Market Fund

Local churches may now specify the allocation of their assets between the funds.

• For example, a church might specify that they want half their money in the Stock Fund and half in the Bond Fund. This will in some markets provide less growth and more income than they are presently receiving if they have a 60% - 40% allocation.

• Or a split of 40% to the Stock Fund and 60% to the Bond Fund -- which would tend over time to provide more income than growth through the capital appreciation of stocks.

• Or a split of 30% to the Stock Fund and 70% to the Bond Fund -- which would tend over time to provide significantly more income than growth through capital appreciation.

• Or a split of 80% to the Stock Fund and 20% to the Bond Fund -- which would in some markets provide much more growth through capital appreciation than income.

Up to September 30, 1997, what we then called the "Balanced Fund" allocated 60-65% of monies in the Balanced Fund to its portfolio of stocks, while about 35-40% was allocated to the portfolio of bonds. This continues to be the "default" investment between the Stock Fund and the Fixed Income Fund for churches that do not wish to specify a different allocation. They can rely on the UM Foundation's Investment Committee's judgment as to the balance their funds will have between the two portfolios.

Building this flexibility in investment decision-making into the Balanced Fund brings with it, of course, more responsibility on the part of local church endowment and finance committees. Those who want to choose a different mix of stocks and bonds, in pursuit of a variety of investment objectives, will need to be clear about their objectives, and watchful to see that their objectives are achieved with the mix they select.

This will generally take church leaders who are knowledgeable about investments, and who have the skills, or else the time and inclination to gain the skills, necessary in making investment decisions about the church's money.

Those churches whose financial leaders do not wish to become involved in the details and techniques of investment strategies can simply choose the "default" investment mix that the Foundation's Investment Committee chooses, depending on the markets. Generally, the Investment Committee has tried to be sensitive to the needs of churches for a modicum of income as well as the need for capital growth.

You may call Les Ryckman for more information about the investment pool called "The Stock Fund" or "The Bond Fund" or the "Money Market Fund."

Let us know what your church needs,
or send your questions or comments to
Anna Morford
morfordct@aol.com

Catalog Of Topics

(Click on a button and go right away to:)

Stewardship

Planned and Deferred Gifts

Endowment Fund Set-Up

Marketing the Endowment Fund

Investing the Endowment Fund

Endowment Primer

Financial Policy

Fund Raising

Workshops Available

The "Case for Support:

How to Prospect

A Capital Campaign Gift Pyramid