For the Future of Hope Unitarian Church

The Hope Unitarian Church Foundation supports the long-range goals of the church by soliciting and receiving special gifts and bequests, and managing, investing, and distributing the funds prudently.  The Foundation makes grants to support the religious mission of the church as well as longer-term maintenance and improvements to the church building.  The Church’s Board of Trustees may request grants for special projects.

Some past grants include fees to long-range planning professionals, denominational involvement, professional conferences and training, marketing and membership growth, and a share of the church’s current HVAC system.  From 2015 through 2024, the Foundation made 24 grants totaling nearly $170,000.  For the 2025-26 church budget, the Foundation is providing special grants to cover church operating budget shortfalls.  

The Hope Unitarian Church Foundation is a separate entity from the church.  It is a 501(c)(3) organization and can receive charitable contributions.  Some ways members and friends contribute include

• Donating cash, stocks, securities, or real estate
• Making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from an IRA.  
• Making a bequest as part of a will or trust
• Naming the Foundation as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement account

Contributions should be in addition to your generous ongoing support of the church’s annual operating budget.  

Hope Legacy Society

Donations often take the form of memorial gifts, and gifts from a member’s estate.  The Hope Legacy Society recognizes and honors those who have included the Foundation in their estate plans.  If you choose to make a legacy gift, please advise the Foundation of your intentions.  This form may be used to notify the Foundation. 

The Foundation recommends discussing your options with your estate planner.

History of the Foundation

The Hope Unitarian Church Foundation was created in 1973 to accept and manage the funds being collected to build the current church structure.  The Foundation is an Oklahoma nonprofit corporation designated under Sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as exempt from Federal income tax.  Once the building was completed in 1977, the Foundation became inactive.  In 1988, a church member made a significant gift on the condition that the Foundation be reactivated, and its purposes be redefined.  The Foundation is managed by a Board of Directors elected each November by the Trustees of Hope Unitarian Church.  The Foundation’s directors serve four-year terms and report at least annually to the church membership and the Trustees.  

The majority of the Foundation’s funds are invested with the Tulsa Community Foundation.  With over $4 billion in assets, TCF is one of the largest community foundations in the country.  In this way, the Hope Foundation not only supports the church but also the wider community of which it is a part.  Additional information about TCF is available at https://tulsacf.org/

Contact Us

Questions about the Hope Unitarian Church Foundation are welcome via email, phone, or in person.  Email: foundation@hopeuu.org.  Via phone, please contact the church administrator for a current list of directors.  Foundation meetings, usually the third Thursday of each calendar quarter, are open.