Change Lives Today
Your support will deliver critical support for children in foster care, help teens struggling with mental health challenges to heal, & provide specialized education for children with behavioral and developmental challenges.
Make a Difference Today
Your donation will deliver critical support for children in foster care. Your generosity will help children struggling with mental health challenges to heal. Your caring support will provide specialized education for children struggling with behavioral and developmental challenges.
See What Your Gift Supports
Below are just a few examples of the many ways your dollars can be put to work at UMFS. We will always honor a donor’s request to designate their support to a specific area of our programming. Please use our donation form’s comment box or your check’s memo line to let us know!
$25A pack of sensory toys for therapy.
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$50A bookbag full of school supplies. |
$100Dinner for a new foster family.
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$250An adoption party for a foster child.
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$500Social worker |
$1,000Recreational therapy |
$25A pack of sensory toys for therapy. |
$50A bookbag full of school supplies. |
$100Dinner for a new foster family.
|
$150One therapy session for a child. |
$200Help us advertise for new foster parents. |
$250An adoption party for a foster care. |
$350Community outing on spring break. |
$500Social worker |
$750A rock climbing field trip for youth. |
$1,000Recreational therapy |

For Check Donations:
Make checks payable to “UMFS” and mail to:
UMFS
Attn: Development Office
3900 West Broad St
Richmond, VA 23230.
Gifts of Securities
When you donate appreciated securities to UMFS, you receive several benefits. In addition to the standard tax deduction for making a charitable donation, you may also avoid the capital gains tax.
Gifts from Your IRA
Once you reach age 72, you must start taking the RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) from your IRA or 401K retirement account. Instead of taking the full RMD yourself, you can make a QCD (Qualified Charitable Distribution) to UMFS, which may be tax-free.
Planned Giving
Join the UMFS 1900 Society to help high-risk children and their families become self-sufficient, contributing members of their communities, now and into the future. You’ll be empowering generations to come.
Workplace Giving
Employer Matching – Many employers match, double, or even triple gifts or volunteer hours made by their employees. Please check your employer’s plan for details.
State and federal campaign codes:
- Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign CVC #060701
- Combined Federal Campaign CFC #16010
If you need a matching gift confirmation, please reach out to sbeam@umfs.org.
Donor Advised Funds
We welcome grants from your donor-advised fund. Our full legal name is United Methodist Family Services of Virginia, EIN#54-0505969. While some funds share your name with us when you make a grant, some do not.
We want to thank you for your gift. We therefore encourage you to notify us when you make a grant at development@umfs.org or 804.254.9450.
Your gift supports…
Children in foster care who deserve stability, like Damonte.

Children with mental health challenges, like Mackenzie.

Students in special education who need support, like Sophia.

Contact Us
When you donate to UMFS, you invest in the lives of high-risk children and families across Virginia. We sincerely appreciate your support. Our development team is ready to help you and answer any questions.





Kate Ockerman
Kate serves as the Director of Philanthropy and Volunteerism at UMFS. She joined UMFS in January 2014 as the Administrative Services Manager at Charterhouse School. Part of her role involved engaging with the dedicated volunteer tutors and volunteer groups who came to campus – she was (and remains) blown away by their commitment to the kids we serve. In 2016 she was recruited to join the Development Team as the Volunteer Coordinator, and then Volunteer Manager where she created the Family Champion program and was instrumental in receiving the Service Enterprise (SEI) certification for UMFS. She soon realized that she is a fundraiser at heart and was promoted to Associate Director of Stewardship and Engagement which expanded her role to include the Generosity Collective, storytelling, the annual fund, and grant opportunities. Now, as the Director of Philanthropy and Volunteerism, Kate is thrilled to lead our incredible team and create a culture of philanthropy within the UMFS community. Kate is passionate about the children and families we serve and feels honored to get to share their stories with the community.
Kate holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Psychology from The College of William and Mary. She is a Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA).
Outside of work, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband, John, and young children Foster and Ellie. You will often find her at home reading a book, planting in the garden, or armed with a tape measurer rearranging furniture.
Why UMFS: UMFS is a place like no other – the dedicated staff, board, volunteers, donors, and community partners are what set us apart. We live and breathe or values each and every day in all we do — all in the pursuit of creating and healing families for children across the country.
Reach out to me for: Corporate partnerships, community events, and speaking engagements.
Julia Bowling Bell
Julia joined UMFS in May 2022 as the Major Gifts Officer, where she specializes in strategic fundraising, donor cultivation and engagement, and stewardship. In her role, she works to build lasting philanthropic partnerships that advance the organization’s mission through both the Annual Fund and special projects. Julia is passionate about the power of relationships to drive meaningful change and enjoys connecting people with causes that resonate with them, always keeping the bigger picture in mind.
Julia holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Randolph-Macon College and a Master’s in Nonprofit Studies from the University of Richmond. She is an active member of both VAFRE and AFP. Passionate about the direct impact of philanthropy on communities, UMFS’ core value of “Relationships are our Building Blocks” is something she feels every day.
Outside of work, Julia enjoys exploring Richmond, discovering new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends. Whether she’s with loved ones or meeting someone new, Julia cherishes the connections that bring people together.
Why UMFS: “I was drawn to UMFS’s wide range of programs and dedication to meeting children and families where they are. It’s been incredibly inspiring to be a small piece of the puzzle, and I really enjoy meeting so many amazing donors who believe in our mission. The impact UMFS has on supporting others resonates deeply with me, especially in how they provide both immediate support and long-term solutions.”
Reach out to me for: Making a gift to UMFS, joining our Planned Giving society, making a non-cash gift of stocks or securities, or speaking engagements.
Sarah Beam
As Annual Fund Officer at UMFS, Sarah Beam is often a first point of contact regarding your charitable giving. Sarah is passionate about stewardship and forming relationships with the UMFS community and will often reach out via email or phone call to let you know how grateful we are for your support. Sarah is also involved in submitting for and reporting on grants as well as the production of our mailed publications including our quarterly newsletter, The Champion, and the Annual Report.
Sarah got started down the path of fundraising while working at the student call center for the University of Virginia. It was there that she graduated with distinction, receiving a bachelor’s degree in English and Linguistics with a minor in ASL and Deaf Culture Studies. Sarah’s fundraising experience at the call center was built upon in a Youth Advisory Support Liaison role, where she was first introduced to grant application processes and the non-profit world. After graduating, Sarah held the role of Development Specialist at another human services non-profit, building on previous grant writing experience and learning more about individual fundraising and stewardship.
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys rock climbing, listening to live music, and volunteering with a community print studio. Sarah also works as an Editor and Project Manager for a small, independent publisher in Richmond.
Why UMFS: “Having lived in the Richmond area my whole life, I’ve been familiar with UMFS and the important work that the agency does for years. I was drawn to UMFS’s dedication to inclusivity as well as our programs’ trauma-informed approach.”
Reach out to me for: Questions about your donation(s), company matching gift confirmations, speaking engagements, and grant opportunities for UMFS!
Brenda started her journey with UMFS in September 1986 as the Administrative Assistant in the Development Office. After six years, she left and joined the staff of Trinity UMC as Office Manager. She returned to UMFS in 1997 as Administrative Assistant, then Office Manager of the RRC team. In 1999, Brenda rejoined the Development Office and, after several years, she was promoted to Administrative Services Manager for Development.
Brenda is the database administrator of our software program. Some of her responsibilities include processing donations, acknowledgement letters, reports, and working with our alumni and Resource Development Committee. She supports the Development Team and works closely with our Finance Office. She enjoys meeting and building relationships with our donors.
When away from work, Brenda loves spending time with her two Boston Terriers, her family and friends, going to the beach, and working in her yard.
Why UMFS: I love UMFS, our mission, and feel UMFS is family. I am very thankful for our donors who believe in our mission and are our unwavering champions. My motivation is watching a vulnerable youth come into our program and see how he/she blossoms during their stay. I believe every child deserves to have a loving family and home.
Reach out to me for: If you have any questions about donations, tours, or speaking engagements.
Lauren McMullen
Lauren joined UMFS in October 2023 as the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator and serves as the primary contact for all volunteer-led activities supporting youth on campus and families connected to UMFS. She plays a vital role in fostering relationships with local businesses, coordinating impactful volunteer experiences, and ensuring that UMFS youth and families feel supported and celebrated.
Lauren organizes and manages efforts such as holiday gift drives, campus activities, and volunteer engagement for parent appreciation events. She also fosters partnerships with local schools and recruits volunteers for special initiatives like backpack drives, Field Day, Prom, and celebratory events for social workers, teachers, students, and UMFS foster and adoptive families. In addition, Lauren works with businesses, community groups, and volunteers to create opportunities that keep youth connected to their communities through mentorship, tutoring, and donation drives.
With a deep passion for empowering children and families, Lauren is committed to strengthening UMFS’s reach through collaboration and advocacy. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Lauren has an extensive background as a therapist and behavior specialist and has dedicated her career to creating safe, inclusive, and enriching spaces where youth can thrive. In her time away from work, Lauren can be found by the water with a good book, exploring local museums, and traveling to discover new restaurants and adventure. Lauren is passionate about cultivating connections between communities, businesses, and individuals.
Why UMFS: “As a Richmond native, I am deeply committed to giving back to the community that nurtured me. UMFS embodies the values of empowerment, compassion, and resilience, and I believe wholeheartedly in this mission to be an unwavering champion for youth and families. The dedication of the staff, volunteers, and community partners inspires me every day, and I am honored to play a role in fostering meaningful connections that create lasting change for our community.”
Reach out to me for: Volunteer opportunities, or to explore how your community organization, church, small group, sorority, or anyone you know can get involved to support the UMFS mission.
Donation Resources

How To Donate To Foster Care (Money, Time & More)
There are many ways you can help support foster children even if you aren’t ready or able to become a foster parent. Click below to learn more.

Benefits Of Donating Money Every Year
Donating money to charitable causes like UMFS directly benefits the people we serve as well as the donor. Click below to learn more.

Are Donations Tax Deductible?
Your financial contributions help UMFS provide stable, secure, and loving homes for children in foster care. Click below to learn more about tax deductible donations.

Advantages of Making Donations
When you make a donation to a cause that’s important to you, you gain several advantages. Click below to read more.

How To Set Up A Facebook Birthday Fundraiser
Following these quick & easy steps to activate your network to help support high-risk children and families.
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