Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church

The Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church Foundation offers United Methodist churches and institutions in the Holston Annual Conference professional money management services relevant to the intended use of the funds. The choices include an income fund, a balanced fund, and an equity fund with competitive returns and timely reporting.

It is the policy of the Holston Conference Foundation to make a conscious effort to invest in institutions, companies, corporations or funds whose practices are consistent with the goals outlined in the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church.

To learn more about the professional money management team you can have working for your church, contact us at:

rogerredding@holston.org
brendamills@holston.org

SHORT-TERM OPTIONS

Money Market Fund
Operates very much like a simple savings plan that pays a competitive market-driven rate of return for each full day the funds are on deposit. Deposits and withdrawals may be made anytime without penalty, but we prefer to do so monthly to maximize earnings.

Current Net Rate: .02% (as of 8/19/11)

Why Money Market Fund?

• Liquid - Money is available at any time.
• Flexible - No "locked in" time or early withdrawal penalty
• Adjustable - Rates increase with the market.
• Connectional - Together, the churches and insititutions of the Annual Conference accomplish more.

Short-Term Income Fund
This fund is designed to provide short-term investors seeking income a return above that of a short-term CD or money market fund, however, unlike a money market fund this fund could fluctuate in value. This fund holds a blend of both money market and short-term bonds or bond funds. (See Investment Policy for details).

INTERMEDIATE OPTIONS

Intermediate Income Fund
This fund is designed for intermediate term investments (two years or longer) seeking a return above that of a short-term CD or money market. The fund's holdings include laddered U.S. Government and U.S. Agency bonds with a maturity of no more than ten years and/or exchange traded bond funds with the same intermediate characteristics. (See Investment Policy for details).

LONG-TERM OPTIONS

Balanced Growth Fund
This fund invests 60% of the fund in a diversified portfolio of domestic and international stocks, which are further diversified by style and size. The rest of the fund is invested 35% in fixed income and 5% money market. The diversification is designed to dampen volatility during difficult periods in the stock marekt. The volatility of the fun is expected to be lower than an all-stock portfolio and should provide a real return in excess of the long-term inflation rate. Deposits and withdrawals are made on a monthly basis. Established 1990, this fund is the primary holder of endowments and other long-term funds held in the Foundation. (See Investment Policy for details).

Equity Growth Fund
Our Equity Fund is an all equity option which invests up to 100% of its assets in a diversified portfolio of domestic and international stocks, further diversified by style and size. While this asset allocation increases the potential for maximum growth over longer periods of time, it also increases the potential for short-term volatility and significant loss of market value. This fund may be appropriate for that portion of your institution's permanent endowment fund, which is not relied upon for annual income but seeks long-term growth. This fund is frequently paired with our Intermediate Income Fund or even some of our short-term investment options. (See Investment Policy for details).

Select from the following links to:

• View and Print the Foundation's Investment Policy
• View and Print our Fund Options
  • View and Print our Performance Summaries:
    Balanced Growth Fund
    Intermediate Income Fund
    Short-Term Income Fund
    Equity Growth Fund
• View and Print a copy of the Account Information Sheet  used to open an account in the Foundation.
• View and Print a copy of the Withdrawal Request Form
• View an article (Notes on Sustainable Income) about "normal" investment returns/inflation (Endowment Spending Guidelines)