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First Methodist Church of Fort Worth Foundation Inc

EIN 75-6042162 · Fort Worth, TX

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SOLICIT, RECEIVE, MAINTAIN AND PRESERVE (EITHER ABSOLUTELY OR IN TRUST) GIFTS AND BEQUESTS WHICH ARE INTENDED TO BENEFIT THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF FORT WORTH. TO SUPPORT, BENEFIT, BE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF, ASSIST IN CARRYING OUT THE PURPOSES OF AND TO PROMOTE THE MINISTRIES, PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF FORT WORTH.

Income
$5.2 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 80%
Employees
2
Volunteers
23
Highest pay
$322,842, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $3.4 million spent. THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF MANY DEDICATED MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF FORT WORTH, THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH OF FORT WORTH FOUNDATION INC. CONTINUED ITS TRADITION OF BUILDING ITS ASSET BASE AND GENERATING INCOME FOR CHURCH USE. WE ARE CONTINUALLY THANKFUL FOR LEGACY DONATIONS THAT ALLOW DONORS TO MAKE A GIFT AND KNOW IT WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR CHURCH IN PERPETUITY. THROUGH LEGACY GIVING, PEOPLE WHO LOVE OUR GREAT CHURCH CONTINUE GIVING BEYOND THEIR LIFETIMES. EACH DONOR'S PHILANTHROPY AND MEMORY LIVE FOREVER. IT'S ALMOST AS IF THEY CONTINUE TO WRITE A CHECK TO THE CHURCH EVERY YEAR BECAUSE THEIR ORIGINAL GIFT TO THE FOUNDATION IS STILL INTACT, PRODUCING ANNUAL INCOME FOR THE CHURCH. HAVING ANNUAL INCOME PRODUCED BY THE ENDOWMENT ASSURES GIFTS EXTEND THROUGH MULTIPLE GENERATIONS BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE STRUCTURE OF THE FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT. THE FOUNDATION'S ENDOWMENT USES ONLY THE INTEREST AND INCOME GENERATED FROM ORIGINAL DONATIONS SUPPORTING THE CHURCH AND ITS ENTIRE COMMUNITY, NEVER TOUCHING THE ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTIONS THAT FORM THE CORPUS OF THE FUND. SINCE ITS BEGINNING IN 1964, THE FOUNDATION HAS RELEASED OVER $75.5 MILLION TO OUR CHURCH. WE STRIVE TO HAVE EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THE FOUNDATION'S VALUE IN ITS INTERRELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHURCH. THE FOUNDATION WORKS DILIGENTLY TO ASSURE THAT CONGREGANTS KNOW ABOUT HOW THE FOUNDATION OPERATES AND TAKE PRIDE IN ITS FUNCTION TO HELP THE CHURCH DO ITS INVALUABLE WORK. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE WISE DECISION OF PAST AND PRESENT BOARDS OF THE FOUNDATION AS THEY FULFILL THE DREAM OF OUR 1964 FOUNDERS. IN 2025, THE FOUNDATION RELEASED OVER $3.45 MILLION IN EARNINGS TO THE CHURCH FOR THEIR USE TO SUPPORT ITS MOST PRESSING NEEDS. THIS FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION ENABLED THE CHURCH TO UNDERTAKE A SERIES OF CRITICAL MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, ENSURING THE CONTINUED FUNCTIONALITY AND ENHANCEMENT OF ITS FACILITIES. KEY INITIATIVES FUNDED BY THESE EARNINGS INCLUDED THE CONTINUED WORK ON THE IT PROJECT, 2025 PLANNED HVAC REPLACEMENTS, NEW TELEPHONE SYSTEM, NEW FENCE AT LYLE LODGE, NEW CHURCH INTERCOM SYSTEM, MAIN BUILDING ROOF RESTORATION, FOUNDATION BUILDING WATER DAMAGE REPAIR, CHAPEL WATERPROOFINGS, AND SANCTUARY LIGHTING REWIRING. BEYOND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, THESE FUNDS ALSO PROVIDED VITAL SUPPORT TO THE METHODIST JUSTICE MINISTRY, FIRST STREET MISSION, AND DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY MINISTRIES, REINFORCING THE CHURCH'S COMMITMENT TO SERVING ITS CONGREGATION AND COMMUNITY. OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE WE HAVE CLEAR, UNDERSTANDABLE, AND TRANSPARENT INFORMATION ABOUT FOUNDATION OPERATIONS, EFFORTS, AND RESULTS. WE SHARE FACTS AND FIGURES WITH INTERESTED PARTIES THROUGH PRINT COLLATERAL MATERIALS, GUEST LECTURES FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES, SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, AND OUR WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.FMCFOUNDATION.ORG. THE FOUNDATION'S ENDOWMENT CONTINUES TO BE A TIMELESS, ENDURING RESOURCE FOR THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF FORT WORTH. WE HOPE TO INSPIRE OUR FUMCFW FAMILY TO BECOME EVEN MORE INTERESTED IN WHAT THE FOUNDATION HAS RELEASED TO THE CHURCH FOR ITS PROGRAMS, SERVICES, AND OUTREACH. WE HOPE THEY WILL APPRECIATE THAT WE EXIST ONLY TO ENHANCE THE CHURCH THROUGH ONGOING UNDERWRITING MADE POSSIBLE BY LEGACY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OUR ALTRUISTIC, GENEROUS DONORS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1965.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

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