Last week, United Methodist Communities (UMC) and the United Methodist Communities Foundation (UMCF) were proud to participate as a major sponsor of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s ReNew Jersey Business Summit & Expo in Atlantic City. As a new Cornerstone member of the Chamber, UMCF was especially excited to support this energizing, statewide gathering that drew companies from across the state to focus on economic growth, innovation, and opportunity.
Members of the UMC and UMCF team were on hand at our exhibit table to connect with fellow business leaders, introduce attendees to our mission, and share how our communities create and support abundant life for older adults.
We admit we’re biased, but a standout highlight of the event was our President & CEO, Mark Lenhard, participating in a panel on economic development and positioning New Jersey for investment. Joining leaders from across business and government agencies, Mark offered a distinct perspective on the role mission-driven nonprofits play in strengthening the state’s economy.
As he shared during the panel discussion, “‘Nonprofit’ is a tax designation, not a strategic business model…the best thing we can do to be a strong ministry tomorrow is to be an excellent business today.” He emphasized that nonprofits like UMC are not only service providers; they are major employers, innovators, and collaborative partners working across sectors to expand housing, develop critical workforce pipelines, and create opportunities that benefit communities at every level.
The Summit also featured insightful, forward-thinking remarks from state leadership. On Tuesday, Governor Mikie Sherrill gave a keynote on her plan to reduce barriers to business growth and foster innovation across New Jersey, while Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell joined leaders from PSEG & Amtrak to reflect on economic priorities and share insights on the state’s business challenges and opportunities. It was especially meaningful to reconnect with Rev. Dr. Caldwell, a longtime friend of our Covenant Place senior housing community in Plainfield.
The two-day event reinforced the power of collaboration and partnership, and we’re grateful, through the leadership and investment of UMCF, to be part of this growing coalition of organizations that are committed to advancing an environment where businesses and mission-driven nonprofits work together to create lasting impact.
To learn more about the programs and relationships made possible by the UMC Foundation, visit SupportUMCF.org.
To learn more about the NJ Chamber of Commerce, visit NJChamber.com.