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Permanent Endowment Fund Of The Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church

Annual Giving
$8.9M
Grant Range
$40K - $6.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8,905,210 (2022)
  • Number of Grants: 94 awards (2022)
  • Revenue: $12,563,184 (2022)
  • Staff Size: 4 individuals
  • Geographic Focus: Galveston, Texas and worldwide
  • Charity Navigator Rating: 4-Star (96% score)
  • Grant Range: $40,000 - $6,500,000+ (based on known awards)

Contact Details

Address: 2200 Market Street, Suite 750, Galveston, TX 77550-1551

Phone: 409-443-5577

Website: www.moodypef.org / www.pefgalveston.org

EIN: 76-0680471

Overview

The Permanent Endowment Fund (PEF) of the Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church was established in 1943 following a forward-thinking estate gift from Libbie Shearn Moody, who left 25 percent of her estate to create the endowment upon her death. The founding board included Roland Bassett, Ward Benson Jr., John Eckel, M. Joe Helms, Leonard Mosele, Carl Robertson, and Rev. Asbury Lenox. As a supporting organization of Moody Methodist Church, the PEF holds, administers, and distributes funds exclusively to advance religious, charitable, educational, and missional purposes. With a mission of "advancing the care of people in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ," the PEF has grown into a significant regional grantmaker, distributing nearly $9 million annually to nonprofits serving people in Galveston and around the world. The organization has earned a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, demonstrating strong financial accountability and transparency.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The PEF operates through board discretion, with the Board of Directors (comprised of Moody Methodist Church congregants) reviewing and approving grants. Grant amounts vary significantly based on project scope and alignment with mission:

  • Major Capital Grants: $1,000,000 - $6,500,000+ (for transformational projects)
  • Program Support Grants: $40,000 - $100,000+ (for ongoing programs)
  • General Operating Support: Amounts vary

Priority Areas

Education & Healthcare: Strong preference for projects that advance educational opportunities and healthcare access, particularly in Galveston. The 2024 grant of $1 million to Galveston College Foundation for Health Sciences Education Center equipment represents the largest award in 10 years and reflects this priority.

Service to Children & Families: Support for programs serving children in the Galveston Independent School District and community, including educational supplies and basic needs.

Disaster Response & Recovery: Active partnership with the Galveston County Recovery Fund, responding to federally declared disasters in Galveston County. The collaborative has managed almost $10 million in disaster aid since its inception following Hurricane Ike in 2008.

Methodist Conference Centers: Major capital support for United Methodist facilities, including a $6.5 million grant to Lakeview Methodist Conference Center.

Community Services: Support for nonprofit organizations addressing basic needs and community development in Galveston and the broader Texas Gulf Coast region.

What They Don't Fund

Based on their mission and 501(c)(3) requirements, the PEF does not support:

  • Lobbying or legislative activities
  • Voter registration drives or election influence
  • Activities that would jeopardize their tax-exempt status
  • Direct grants to individuals (disaster response funds go to organizations, not individuals)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Bert Bagley - Executive Director/CEO (since January 2017)

  • Previously served as senior pastor of Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church in Galveston from 2004 to 2015
  • Provides executive oversight of the foundation's operations

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is comprised of Moody Methodist Church congregants who provide grants to nonprofit organizations. Known board members include:

  • Kimblyn N. Raschke - Chair
  • Matthew Hay - Board Chair (as of 2024 Galveston College grant announcement)
  • Jay Sims - Secretary
  • Roland Louis Bassett - Director
  • Gail Ayers Cantini - Director
  • Carolyn Cox - Director
  • Edie Harrington - Director
  • Linda Mignerey - Director
  • Ramona Webb - Director

All directors serve without compensation, demonstrating their commitment to the mission.

Leadership Perspective

Matthew Hay, Chair of the PEF Board of Directors, explained the decision-making approach in announcing the $1 million grant to Galveston College: "The purpose of the project fitting neatly with PEF's mission of advancing the care of people, helped the board of directors decide to make its largest grant award in 10 years."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The PEF website (www.pefgalveston.org) includes an application page at www.pefgalveston.org/apply. The organization is a member of Philanthropy Southwest, a network of funders in the Southwestern United States.

Grant Agreement Requirements

Based on grant agreements with recipients like the City of Galveston, the following terms apply:

Eligibility: Grantees must warrant that receipt of the grant will not adversely affect their 501(c)(3) status under Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Use of Funds: Grant funds must be used solely for the project, activities, or purposes described in the application and/or approved or designated by the PEF Board of Directors.

Reporting: Grantees may be required to submit interim reports, final reports, and expenditure reports. Some grants require submission of receipts and/or invoices.

Publicity Restrictions: All grantees agree to keep the Permanent Endowment Fund name and/or the names of PEF staff OFF all marketing, information distribution, products, e-mail lists, and/or mailing lists. The PEF does not authorize its name to be used for any publications or communications related to the grant.

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines are not publicly documented, though the organization makes strategic decisions throughout the year. With 94 grants awarded in 2022, the board meets regularly to review and approve funding requests.

Success Rates

With 94 awards made from $8.9 million in grants distributed in 2022, and 67 awards in 2021, the PEF maintains an active grantmaking schedule. Success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

Mission Alignment is Critical

The PEF Board of Directors emphasizes that projects must "fit neatly with PEF's mission of advancing the care of people." The largest grant in 10 years went to a project that directly addressed healthcare workforce development, demonstrating the importance of clear mission alignment.

Examples of Recently Funded Projects

Galveston College Foundation (February 2024): $1,000,000 for education and training equipment in the new Health Sciences Education Center. The grant will fund equipment for programs including Computed Tomography (CT), Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Services, Healthcare Management, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Medical Administration, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiation Therapy, Radiography, and Surgical Technology.

Assistance League of the Bay Area (February 2024): $50,000 Galveston Island grant to expand service to additional Galveston Independent School District and Mosbacher Odyssey Academy students through Operation School Bell®, which provides essential items to children.

Assistance League of the Bay Area (2021): $40,000 for ongoing program support.

Lakeview Methodist Conference Center (2014): $6.5 million grant supporting a $15 million construction campaign called "For Such a Time as This."

Strategic Considerations

Focus on Galveston Impact: While the PEF supports work "around the world," a strong preference exists for projects serving the Galveston community directly.

Long-term Partnerships: The PEF maintains ongoing relationships with grantees, as evidenced by multiple grants to Assistance League of the Bay Area and participation in collaborative efforts like the Galveston County Recovery Fund.

Transformational Projects: The PEF is willing to make major capital investments in projects that create lasting community impact, particularly in education and healthcare.

Disaster Response: As a founding member of the Galveston County Recovery Fund, the PEF responds to federally declared disasters, providing resources for immediate relief and long-term recovery.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Emphasize direct impact on care for people: The PEF's core mission is "advancing the care of people in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ" - applications should clearly articulate how the project will improve the wellbeing of specific populations.

  • Galveston connection matters: While the PEF supports work globally, projects serving Galveston and the immediate region appear to receive priority consideration and larger awards.

  • Education and healthcare are top priorities: Recent major grants have focused on healthcare workforce development and educational access, particularly for underserved populations.

  • Be prepared for publicity restrictions: Unlike many funders, the PEF specifically prohibits grantees from using their name in marketing materials or public communications about grants, which should be factored into project planning.

  • Think transformationally for large requests: The largest grant in 10 years ($1 million) went to a capital project with clear, measurable community impact. Major requests should demonstrate transformational potential.

  • Building relationships through the church may be beneficial: Since the board is comprised of Moody Methodist Church congregants, established relationships with the church community may provide valuable context for understanding funding priorities.

  • Demonstrate fiscal responsibility: With a Four-Star Charity Navigator rating, the PEF values financial accountability. Applications should include detailed budgets and demonstrate strong financial management.

References

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