In the early 1960s, the Rev. Dr. Robert C. Holmes, a retired Florida Conference pastor, and other visionary leaders worked to establish a ministry that would help the Florida Conference and its churches grow and do more with their resources. The Florida Methodist Foundation was born.
On June 3, 1966, the Rev. George A. Foster presented a resolution to establish the Foundation at the Florida Conference’s annual gathering. The resolution was approved the following day. The conference then named Holmes executive director and elected nine board members, including A.B. Blackburn, a Jacksonville attorney and friend of Holmes who prepared the Foundation’s resolution and charter. Reflecting on Holmes in the late 1990s, Blackburn described him as a good businessman and “someone who always looked to the future.” “He possessed a unique combination of talents,” Blackburn said. “He was a minister who also happened to be a financial genius.”
Holmes wanted to save and earn money for the conference, and he believed the Foundation could serve churches and agencies by facilitating charitable gifts and managing investments. He traveled throughout the state to promote the Foundation’s work, Blackburn recalled, using his business and financial expertise to benefit “anything to do with Methodism in Florida.”
The Foundation was among the earliest Methodist foundations established. In 1968, it joined six others to form the National Association of United Methodist Foundations, an organization that now includes foundations representing United Methodist conferences throughout the United States.
In 1976, the Foundation launched the Florida United Methodist Development Fund Inc. as a separate corporation. The fund was created to provide below-market mortgage financing for churches and conference agencies while offering competitive investment returns to individual and institutional investors in Florida.
In 1990, the Foundation added “United” to its name, reflecting the denomination’s 1968 merger. Its ministry continued to grow over the following decade, and in 1995, the Foundation became financially independent from the Florida Conference.
In 2003, the Foundation and Development Fund merged into a single corporation, the Florida United Methodist Foundation. In June 2026, the Foundation proudly celebrated its 60th anniversary—six decades of supporting and empowering the growth of Christian ministry and partnering with United Methodists across Florida to put faithful stewardship into action.
Our Mission
Our mission is to support and empower the growth of Christian ministry by strengthening United Methodist churches and agencies. Through education, consulting, development support, and financial services, we promote faithful Christian stewardship and provide churches and individuals with the tools and resources they need to make disciples of Jesus Christ and transform the world.
Timeline
1966
Visionary Leaders Start A
Foundation To Help Churches
1978
Development Fund Makes First Building Loan
1991
Celebrating 25 Years of Helping Churches,
Individuals Be Good Stewards
2004
Emergency Grants Help Churches
Rebuild After Hurricanes
2016
Looking To The Future, Ministry For The Next Generations
Since its inception,
The Foundation has provided hundreds of loans to churches and agencies for construction and renovation projects that enable ministries to thrive. It has offered high quality, socially screened investment options that give churches the ability to make the most of the gifts entrusted to them. And it has helped individuals set up the charitable giving options they need to make a lasting impact on the ministries they value most.
In 2016, the Foundation celebrated that history and 50 years of partnering with United Methodists across the conference to put faithful stewardship into action. Learn more through the articles below.
Our Leaders
Our experienced staff and volunteers share a passion for helping people and ministries do the most good with their resources, putting faithful Christian stewardship into action.
Ministry
We’re passionate about empowering people and ministries to earn all they can, save all they can and give all they can so they can transform the world.
Give Now
Gifts to the Foundation provide resources for grants that help churches and agencies offer vital ministries that support and nurture people of all ages, transforming lives.