Our Mission

Invest in faith-aligned funds that provide competitive returns while also making a positive impact. Our Foundation provides investment funds and care for accounts so that you are free to focus on ministry

Why Invest With the Foundation?

In partnership with Wespath Institutional Investments, we help you manage and grow invested funds through socially responsible and sustainable investing. We allow you to focus on your own good work while reaching your financial objectives.

The Foundation manages and grows over $65 million in kingdom and faith-focused investments on behalf of Greater New Jersey based Methodist churches, nonprofits, and Annual conference.

Who We Are

The GNJ Foundation exists to serve congregations from “the Shore”, to the meadowlands, from the Delaware Water Gap to the Cape May Light House.

  • Brian Roberts served GNJ as District Superintendent for 8 years, working with the Cape Atlantic District. He was Senior Pastor of St. Peter’s UMC in Ocean City, the UMC at Absecon, and St. Paul’s UMC in Trenton (now part of Turning Point UMC). Brian earned his M. Div from Princeton Theological Seminary, an MBA from Rutgers Graduate School of Management, and a BA from Colgate University. He has passion for growing stewardship, working with congregations on models for vital ministry, and coaching. He is married to Sandra, who is his ministry partner. They have two adult children, Alyson and Nathan. He enjoys pickleball, kayaking, and exercise.

    Broberts@gnjumc.org
    O: 732-359-1057
    C: 609-351-9307

Staff

With a focus on caring for each congregation and ministry partner our staff is here to serve you

  • Stuart Goodwin has been with Greater New Jersey and the Foundation for three years now. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Stockton University. Stuart worked most of his career in for-profit settings but has always had a passion for non-profit work. This is shown in his service as the Treasurer for the Keyport Ministerium Food Pantry for 8 years as he enjoys making a difference. When the opportunity to work for GNJ and the Foundation came his way, he was very excited to take his career fully into the non-profit sector and completed the CNP (certified non-profit professional) credential and eventually pursuing an MBA. He enjoys weight training, music composition, and playing guitar.

    sgoodwin@gnjumc.org
    732-359-1058


  • After thirty years in retail finance, Rob was searching for a role with more purpose. In 2020, he went from “selling stuff” to “selling hope” as the CFO/Treasurer for the Greater NJ Conference of the UMC. He was then voted in as the Treasurer of the United Methodist Stewardship Foundation of Greater NJ. In both roles, Rob supports the conference and local churches to implement strategies which promote the long-term financial stability to achieve our mission to transform the world by recruiting and developing transformational leaders who make passionate disciples of Jesus Christ and grow vital congregations.

    Rob is a proud Villanova alumnus and he and his wife are members of the Freehold United Methodist Church.

    rzuckerman@gnjumc.org
    732-359-1030

Board of Trustees

Our Foundation Board of Trustees represents the best of Greater New Jersey. These servant leaders give of their time to the Foundation so that congregations and ministries might thrive

  • CLU, ChFC, CFP
    Simpson UMC, Old Bridge

    Larry Springer has been in the Financial Services Industry for 49 years. He is a Certified Financial Planner and taught the CFP classes for Fairleigh Dickenson University. He also holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations. Larry provides public workshops on Social Security, Medicare, and Retirement Planning for Middlesex County College as part of the adjunct staff. His passion is helping people make good decisions and smart choices about money. Both Larry and his daughter Tanya graduated from Monmouth College/University. His wife Diana and he have one child, Tanya with husband Jonathan and my grandson Victor. In his home church, Simpson United Methodist Church Old Bridge, he serves as Administrative Board Chair. Men’s Group Leader, and Lay Speaker.

  • Greater New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conferences

    John Schol serves as the Bishop of Greater New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania Conferences overseeing the mission of 900 congregations. A visionary leader who has maximized resources for life changing ministry that has led to repairing more than 300 homes, the development of 26 Hope Centers, a pastor’s school in Tanzania and the development of a leadership academy.

  • CFP, AIF, Past President

    Medford United Methodist Church

    Ginger, as she is known by many, is a Certified Financial Planner with over 38 years of experience. She is a graduate of Rutgers University with a dual major in Business Administration and Philosophy. She is a FINRA registered representative with Series 6,7, 63 and 65 licenses, a member of Money Quotient-a Financial Life Planning organization and Lincoln Investment’s Hall of fame. She is a board member of the local chapter of the Society of Financial Planners. She is a key leader at the Medford United Methodist Church. Ginger brings this wealth of experience, financial background and leadership skills as she served the Board as Chair of the Stewardship Foundation and now continues on as Past President & Board Member.

  • Franklin St. John UMC, Newark

    Brenda Caldwell joined the Foundation in 2023. Bre’ has spent her entire life as an active member in the United Methodist church. She has served as a civil servant in various leadership positions in transportation and education, serving for both New Jersey and New York City well over 20 years. Bre’ holds a Master of Business Administration from New York University. She is also certified in Labor Public Relations from Rutgers University and Human Resources from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

    She will be serving the work of the Stewardship Foundation of Greater New Jersey as the Administrative Secretary. Her mission is to encourage service, support and giving; that will yield sustainable ministry and a legacy paying it forward.

  • First United Methodist Church of Avalon

    Dave Montanye currently serves as the Pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Avalon, and as a Circuit Elder in the Cape Atlantic District. He earned a B.A. in Political Science from American University and an M.Div. and D. Min. from Drew University. He pastored churches in Garnerville, NY and Branchville, NJ. He also served as Program Coordinator of the United Methodist Committee on Relief and Executive Secretary for Gift Cultivation at the General Board of Global Ministries. Dave has sought to encourage in others faith in the possibilities that God offers us for an abundant life, and the chance to change the world for the better.

  • James Ryoo is an Elder of the Greater New Jersey Conference. He brings years of experience as a Circuit Elder and a member of DCOM of the Gateway North District. He had also served as a GNJ Board of Trustee member and Vice Chair, and the Centenary Fund and Preacher’s Aid Society. He currently serves as pastor of The UMC in Union located in Union, NJ. Born and raised in South Korea, he earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering and taught for six years at high schools and colleges. Having owned a business in the United States for 10 years, he chose a life of service to God and earned his MDiv from New York Theological Seminary. He is a loving husband to his wife Michelle, and father to his two adult children, Andrew and Lisa.

  • Marlin is retired after 40 years in the Technology Sector. He has two degrees from Rutgers-Newark University. One in Theatre and another in accounting. He is a veteran of the Air Force. He is also Mayor Emeritus of Hackensack, New Jersey. He has worked in both the public and private sectors. Retiring from the County of Bergen. He has served as the Trustees Treasurer for the United Methodist Church of Hackensack for many years. He is also a certified Lay Leader. He is married to Ojetta for over 40 years and has a son, Marlin G Townes III, Esq and a daughter, Dr. Chelsea M Townes-Francis.

How We Help

Investment Options

Faith-Aligned, Competitive Returns, Positive Impact

Investments to meet your needs from Cash & Short-Term to Intermediate Term to Long-Term and Endowments

Institutional Money Market Fund

Short Term Investment

Learn more information on money market funds offered through the Foundation

Stewardship-Generosity

Resources to Grow Giving & Year Round Generosity

Timely resources to help your congregation or ministry grow giving and engage people in ways that unleash generosity

Investing in the Future

Donor Advised Funds

Donor Advised Funds, invested through the Wespath Institutional Investments

More coming in 2024

Begin or Boost a Planned Giving Program

Planned Giving

Every congregation and ministry organization should have a planned giving program. Start or relaunch your legacy giving system

Develop new income streams for ministry

Exploring Alternative Income

Are you optimizing the use of your property and facilities? Want to explore creative, emerging models congregations are using to serve their community and generate income streams?