About Us
For almost half a century, the Foundation has partnered with individuals and institutions to leverage their resources to support the ministries and mission of the church.
Faith-Based Solutions
Churches & Nonprofits
We partner with Methodist churches and organizations to help advance their missions through socially responsible, faith-based financial solutions.
Individuals & Families
We provide individuals and families with solutions to ensure their resources secure the church’s financial future.
Our Purpose Is Your Mission
We provide socially responsible and customized financial solutions that align with the Christian principles of Methodist churches, organizations, and individuals. Our programs equip our partners to be faithful stewards of their resources while elevating and advancing the church’s mission.
Why We Exist
As Methodists, we share a covenant, connection, and mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ. God calls us to share our resources (Acts 4:32-33) and equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13).
Meet Our Team
Rev. Keith E. Lawder
President and CEO
Dr. Laudis H. “Rick” Lanford
Regional Vice President
Russell H. Jones, MBA
Senior Vice President · CFO · Treasurer
James (Jim) F. Pope
Senior Advisor to the President and Director of Lending
Carol Johnston
Associate Vice President and Controller
Lori Tucker
Loan Administrator
Diana Durie
Communications Manager
Our Board of Trustees
The Georgia United Methodist Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees, elected to three-year terms and confirmed by the North and South Georgia Conferences of the United Methodist Church at their annual meetings.
Ruth A. Knox, Chair
Retired, Wesleyan College, Thomson
Rev. Doreen Smalls, Vice Chair
The South Georgia Conference Northwest and Southwest District Superintendent
Charles L. Bachman Jr.
Gregory, Doyle, Calhoun & Rogers, LLC, Marietta
Rev. J. Robert Beckum
SOMA Foundation, Columbus
C. Bert Bennett
Draffin & Tucker, LLP, Albany
Rev. Dr. Rodrigo Cruz
The North Georgia Conference Central East District Superintendent
Kathryn H. Dennis, Immediate Past Chair
Community Foundation of Central Georgia, Macon
Brittney Haynes
Guardian Life, Atlanta
Lauren G. Isom
Griner-Isom Financial Strategies, Columbus
Rev. Dr. Millie Luke Kim
Mountain Park UMC, Stone Mountain
J. Russell Lipford Jr.
CLH CPAs, LLC, Warner Robins
Rev. Dr. William Bert Neal III
The North Georgia Conference, Retired Elder, Jonesboro
Georgia G. Slagle
Howard, Moore & McDuffie, P.C., Macon
Calvin R. Stamps
Bretwood Capital Partners, Atlanta
Cater C. Thompson
Jones Cork, LLP, Macon
Katrina Voegtlin
Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Atlanta
William A. Vogel
Montag & Caldwell, Atlanta
Rev. Karen Elaine Webster Parks
St. James UMC, Alpharetta
Rev. Elaine Wilder
Level Creek UMC, Suwanee
Rev. Will Zant
Haygood Memorial UMC, Atlanta
Ex-Officio Members
Bishop Robin Dease
Resident Bishop, North Georgia Area
Bishop David Graves
Resident Bishop, South Georgia Area
Allison Berg
The North Georgia Conference Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Atlanta
Suzanne Jones
The South Georgia Conference Treasurer and Director of Administrative Services, Macon
Rev. Keith E. Lawder
President and CEO
Dr. Laudis H. “Rick” Lanford
Regional Vice President
Russell H. Jones, MBA
Senior Vice President · CFO · Treasurer
View Our Yearly Financial Reports
Annual Audit
2022
Annual Audit
2021
Annual Audit
2020
History of the Georgia United Methodist Foundation
1978
The South Georgia United Methodist Foundation is founded.
1983
The South Georgia United Methodist Foundation’s assets under management grow to $1 million.
1984
The North Georgia United Methodist Foundation is founded.
1990
The North Georgia United Methodist Foundation receives a $1 million bequest.
1991
The North Georgia United Methodist Foundation’s assets under management total $3 million.
2006
The North Georgia United Methodist Foundation launches the Certificate and Loan Fund Programs and ends the year with total assets of $58.8 million.
2010
The South and North Georgia United Methodist Foundations merge to become the Georgia United Methodist Foundation. The Foundation’s combined assets under management are $85.6 million.
2013
The Foundation’s assets under management grow to $111.6 million.
2020
The Foundation’s assets under management total $229 million.
2022
The Foundation manages $236 million in assets entrusted to our care.
Contact Us
How can we best help you, your family, your church, or your nonprofit achieve your mission and live out the call of God in your life?
