Q. What is the United Church Foundation?

A. The United Church Foundation (UCF) is an Associated Ministry of the United Church of Christ (UCC). Its primary mission is to invest the permanent assets and endowment funds of UCC-related entities. It serves UCC churches, conferences, covenanted ministries, colleges, seminaries, and related agencies by promoting prudent investing, advocating for corporate social responsibility, and implementing a proven long-term investment strategy. Our goal is to provide more money for ministry.

Q. What sets the United Church Foundation apart from other money managers?

A. The Foundation's non-profit structure gives its participants significant advantages over other money management alternatives. Its diversified 'common investment funds' deliver the economies of scale of a mutual fund without the expense. The UCF does not pay dividends to stockholders, or sales commissions to broker/dealers. This lowers the UCF's operating costs, which in turn, increases returns and provides more money for ministry.

Q. Who controls the UCF?

A. A volunteer board of directors elected by the UCC Executive Council controls the work of the UCF. It sets policy, approves annual budgets and hires needed staff for day-to-day operations. An investment committee appointed by the board holds portfolio managers accountable for their performance. All of the members of the investment committee and many members of the board of directors are experienced investment professionals belonging to UCC churches who give many hours of their time and expertise to the Foundation.

Q. Who invests in UCF Common Investment Funds?

A. Hundreds of local UCC churches, most of the conferences and all of the national UCC ministries hold their endowment funds and other permanent assets in one or more of the UCF's Common Investment Funds. Individual investors cannot invest in the UCF.

Q. Are UCF Common Investment Funds invested in a socially responsible manner?

A. Yes. Corporate social responsibility criteria have been incorporated into the Foundation's investment policies, and are applied to all investment decisions. The Foundation works actively with other institutional investors through the Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility to amplify its shareholder advocacy effort, a major part of our work.

Q. Why move funds to the UCF?

A. By investing in the Foundation's common investment funds, UCC entities can focus on managing their ministries instead of their assets. It keeps investment costs low and investment risks comparable to the average risk inherent in each asset class. This strategy yields socially responsible investment returns that compare favorably to market trends year after year. Over time, these trends that have significantly out paced inflation. By investing in the UCF's Common Investment Funds, your church also fulfills its fiduciary responsibility to be a prudent investor.