Bruce Blumer will begin a new chapter of his life after leading growth for the Dakotas United Methodist Founation. Blumer will begin as the Vice President of the Foundation for the University of Sioux Falls on July 1. 

Blumer reflected on the past decade in this question and answer forum. 

What things that have changed since you have been involved in the foundation?

I think the biggest change has been to be more service oriented.  It became clear to me that if churches felt we were in competition, it was going to be hard to be invited to partner.  So we added items that would serve the churches – grant programs to get ministries off the ground, workshops on stewardship along with estate planning, having an investment accounts (which do NOT become part of our endowment) for us to hold church/ministry funds, having bulletin inserts available on our website, and being available questions from pastors and leaders, and be available to go to churches whenever requested.

When I began, very little of the Conference funds were held by the Foundation.  Now virtually all funds are held here.  It has allowed us to pay ourselves, instead sending that portion to an outside investment firm.
What are the strengths of the foundation?

We are on a good growth pattern.  Thanks to strong stock market returns and generous donors, we have grown substantially.  We’re at that “tipping point” of being able to provide more funds to assist churches/ministries to allow them to flourish. 

People look at the Foundation as a partner. 

Another strength is being off Conference apportionments.  Due to the amount of assets invested and the Cornerstone Society gifts, the Foundation is not financially dependent on those dollars. 

We are now receiving estate gifts due to the work done by previous directors and staff. 

What have been the challenges?

Miles.  Having Jerry Bass in North Dakota will help but this is simply a large Conference in geography.  It’s hard to stay in personal contact.  When you think most people know about the Foundation, someone will say, “Now what do you do?”

What do you hope the foundation will be like in the future?

My prayer is that churches will continue to trust the Foundation.  There will need to be a coordinated effort to look at all the entities in the Conference asking for funds.  We are too small a Conference and our funds come from a fairly finite group of people.  So a coordinated effort to multiply God’s gifts and to be a faithful partner for the journey!