GCE45 GS05 Relationship with the United Church of Canada Foundation for September 2025

1. What is the issue?

The Executive of the 44th General Council in response to GS127 Future of Fundraising in the Church, March 2025, directed the General Secretary to: 

“ begin negotiations and sign an agreement with the Board of The United Church of Canada Foundation to undertake the responsibility for fundraising for Mission and Service including special appeals for emergencies, etc."

In authorizing the General Secretary, the Executive, also affirmed that:
A negotiated agreement with the Foundation would need to ensure:

1. That the connection to the denomination be fostered, not just through Mission and Service but through the entirety of the programs and support the General Council Office offers to Communities of Faith and through Regional Councils.
2. Ensure connection and collaboration between the Church and the Foundation
3. Provide the framework for comprehensive reporting both to and from the Foundation
4. Ensure that strategies are in place to mitigate either organization pursuing goals other than those agreed upon

2. Why is this issue important?

As part of the negotiation, the mechanism to ensure the connection between the Foundation and the Board as expressed above, it will require the Executive create two corresponding roles(positions) on the Executive for representatives of the Foundation Board.

The composition of the Executive of the General Council (GCE) is prescribed in the Basis of Unions (see section 7.5.1) and is therefore fixed. However, the Manual allows for individuals to serve as corresponding members of the Executive. The agreement envisions that two senior members of the Foundation will serve in this capacity.

Similarly, the GCE nominates two members to sit on the Foundation’s Board, which reflects current practice. In addition to the two members, the General Secretary and the Moderator or designate, also serve on the Foundation. The proposal is that GCE exclusively appoint the General Secretary and one other Senior staff.

3. How might the General Council Executive respond to the issue?

The Executive appoint the following membersof the General Council could:

1. Approve two corresponding member roles on the Executive for the chair or vice-chair of The United Church of Canada Foundation and its President,
2. Require an annual report of the work of The United Church of Canada Foundation to the Executive

4. What will be the impact?

The impact of successful implementation will ensure clear lines of communication.

5. How does this proposal help us live into the commitments on equity?

Like the church, the Foundation has made commitments to become an anti-racist organization. It is also committed to all matters related to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and anti-oppression. One of the objectives in the Foundation’s current strategic plan is to embed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in all the Foundation’s work including all operations and governance. Further, a portion of this Objective relates to equity and diversity in fundraising approaches, strategy and tactics.

6. For the body transmitting this proposal to the General Council Executive:

This proposal comes with the support of the Finance Advisory Committee and with the Joint Committee of the Church and Foundation, as well as the Board of the Foundation. See Appendix 1 (November GCE Backgrounder)