The WMU Foundation recently helped national Woman’s Missionary Union offset the cost of replacing an outdated and ineffective HVAC system.
The Foundation provided $100,000 from its operating revenue to help with the heating and air system upgrades.
“We are incredibly grateful for the WMU Foundation’s investment in national WMU. Their gifts touch all WMU ministries,” said national WMU Executive Director Sandy Wisdom-Martin. “This particular grant helps us to maintain our current launch pad for ministry. In 2020, national WMU began the enormous task of overhauling the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems within our 135,000-square-foot complex that was built in 1984.
Twenty-two individual units original to the building were replaced along with a water-cooling tower. All of the units operated with R-22 refrigerant, which is no longer produced or imported. Many of the units had failed or needed constant maintenance. The entire project cost nearly $2.3 million and was completed in the summer of 2021.”
The WMU Foundation exists to support WMU at the local, state, national and international levels through grants, awards and scholarships. However, in this case, the WMU Foundation used its operating revenue to assist national WMU with a unique and critical financial matter.
Kingdom efforts
“We are excited to be able to use the money that God allows us to earn for His kingdom in this way,” said Bob Cardinal, chair of the WMU Foundation board of directors. “The WMU Foundation exists to support the overall ministry of WMU here and around the world through grants to national WMU, state WMU organizations, scholarships to Missionary Kids and specific ministries that advance the mission of God around the world.”
Since national WMU does not receive an allocation from the Cooperative Program, it must raise its own operating revenue from the sale of magazines and other missions education materials. The WMU Foundation supplements this revenue with grants for specific WMU missions and ministry efforts.
“The national WMU executive board approved paying off the obligation with a combination of cash, donations and a $1.5 million loan,” Wisdom-Martin said. “A large portion of the cash was to come from the sale of three acres to a local fire department looking to relocate. However, the contract was canceled recently when a public vote failed, and the fire department was unable to raise their dues. Half of the monthly loan obligation should be absorbed by a reduced utility bill resulting from efficiencies.”
Monday’s $100,000 gift is from the operating revenue the WMU Foundation receives by managing funds and endowments to support the overall mission of WMU and from multiple client organizations whose assets are managed by the Foundation. The WMU Foundation uses a biblically responsible investment strategy so no funds are used for purposes in conflict with Christian principles.
“Anyone who donates to the WMU Foundation can be assured that their gift will be used exclusively for advancing the mission of God,” said Maegan Dockery, WMU Foundation marketing manager. “We make sure to share stories in our marketing materials about the impact of donors’ gifts so they know that their dollars are being used as intended.”
Visit wmufoundation.com to learn more about how you can make an eternal impact through your gifts.
