Our Mission

To stimulate life-changing ministry.

our Values

Discipleship - Transform lives through Jesus.
Generosity - Nurture stewardship and sacrifice.
Creativity - Turn new and imaginative dreams into reality.

our Vision

Increase ministry resources.
Inspire and equip forward and outward thinking
Teach generosity.
Cultivate a new generation of leadership.
Award transformative grants.
Multiply service to the Kingdom.

A Brief History of The Foundation

The Foundation was created by action of the Ohio Conference in June 1997 after an eighteen month conversation and negotiation with Blanchard Valley Health Association (BVHA) to purchase Winebrenner Village, a long-term care facility owned and operated by the Ohio Conference. As part of the transfer, Blanchard Valley Health Association made a commitment to provide intentional spiritual care for patients at the Blanchard Valley and Bluffton Hospitals as well as continuing education for clergy and laypersons. In turn, The Foundation made a financial commitment to support the chaplaincy program, and over the next 17 years made annual contributions that totaled nearly one half million dollars.

The Foundation is incorporated in the State of Ohio as a nonprofit corporation and is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors. Directors are elected by the Executive Board of the Great Lakes Conference (successor to the Ohio Conference) and serve three year terms. A President and Financial Controller manage the work of The Foundation.

Nine grants totaling $380,900 were awarded in 1999 as part of the first grant-making cycle. Through 2019, a total of 218 grants totaling $5.6 million has been awarded in support of congregations and agencies of the Great Lakes Conference.

In January 2004 The Foundation established a means of investing long-term resources for Great Lakes Conference congregations and agencies. These Investment Facilitator Agreements (IFA) create a contract in which The Foundation serves as custodian of the agency’s long-term financial resources and provides quarterly distribution as instructed by the congregation or agency. Through 2018 four IFA covenants have been created totaling more than $800,000.

By late 2021 total assets of The Foundation exceed $10 million including Investment Facilitator Agreements and Donor Restricted Funds. In its grant-making responsibility, The Foundation makes available for annual distribution a maximum of four percent of the Net Assets without Donor Restrictions calculated on the previous three-year rolling average as of December 31.

A brief Introduction and Overview of the Foundation may be found by clicking here.