Grant Funding Sources
The Stewart Fund
Robert “Bob” Stewart was a former Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors who used his more than fifty years of professional experience in the investment industry to help churches throughout western Pennsylvania establish and manage permanent endowment funds. After more than a decade of service to the Board, Bob Stewart passed away in December of 1999, leaving to the Foundation a bequest of 1.2 million dollars. With this gift, the Foundation established the Robert M. Stewart Endowment and, to date, has awarded over $850,000 in grants to churches and agencies in need of funding for special ministries and projects. In keeping with Bob’s legacy, the permanent nature of this fund means that the income has been used to support grant program and thus the value of the fund has been maintained to this day so that the Foundation will be able to continue awarding grants for many years to come.
Paul D. Taylor Ministry Opportunity Fund
Rev. Paul D. Taylor faithfully served the United Methodist Churches of Western Pennsylvania for 20 years after answering a call to ministry later in life. Paul joined the Board of the UM Foundation several years before becoming a pastor and later returned to serve again after being appointed as the Pittsburgh District Superintendent in 2014. Paul’s time on the Board continued after his retirement in 2018 until his death. Paul was the First Vice Chair of the Foundation. Paul’s infectious smile and generous spirit touched all who had the honor of knowing him. His dedication to ministry and to the churches and people he served led the Board of the Foundation to name a fund in his honor, The Rev. Paul D. Taylor Ministry Opportunity Fund, designated for providing support for ministries, programs, capital expenses, needed services, stewardship resources, meeting costs, and emergency needs of Pennsylvania United Methodist churches and related organizations of the WPA and SAC Annual Conferences. The Foundation is honored to be able to carry on the spirit of Paul’s ministry by awarding grants from this fund.
