The Foundation

Established in 1985, the UMC Foundation supports the missional focus of the communities. Acting as an independent entity, the Foundation helps and enhances the mission, philosophy, and ministry of UMC. It has its own Board of Trustees who govern, establish broad policies and objectives, and oversee financial resources to support the charitable mission of UMC.

The Foundation conducts various fundraising initiatives including annual and deferred giving, donor cultivation and relationship building programs, special events, and various community engagement opportunities. These efforts help raise financial contributions for to support the charitable mission of the UMC.

The Foundation Team

Jim Roberts
Vice President of UMC Foundation

Phone: 732-922-9800 x2103
Email: jroberts@umcommunities.org

Jim Roberts brings over three decades of extensive leadership in nonprofit management, strategic planning, and fundraising. Most recently, Jim served as a fundraising and special events consultant at The Roberts Consulting Group LLP, and the Executive Director of the Foundation for the New Jersey Hall of Fame, where he spearheaded a successful capital campaign to open NJHOF’s Education & Learning Center in East Rutherford, NJ. Jim has also held leadership positions at several at several health-related nonprofits, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for Northern NJ and the National MS Society. He began his career at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and spent nearly 19 years at the state’s leading health insurer.

Speaking on his current role of VP of the UMC Foundation, Jim said, “Having a father, Rev. E. James Robert, who serves as a retired United Methodist minister, brings my career in philanthropy full circle and makes our mission of providing seniors with abundant life and continuing UMC’s tradition of charitable care all the more important to me.”

Gary Engelstad
Director of Transformational Opportunities

Phone: 732-922-9800 x2129
Email: gengelstad@umcommunities.org

Gary Engelstad came to UMC Foundation in June 2015. Gary brings a wealth of experience and expertise in developing strategic initiatives and understands the importance of creating value for our current, as well as, future donors. His 20 years of experience in senior housing overseeing sales, philanthropy, community resources, community television, pastoral ministries, social work, wellness and volunteer programs lend themselves to his role at the Foundation. Gary and his wife, Stephanie, have lived in Bradley Beach for the past 19 years after relocating from Washington, D.C., where he served in the White House and Treasury Department in the Reagan, Bush and Clinton administrations.

Rebecca Roe
Director of Communications and Public Relations

Phone: 732-922-9800 x2128
Email: rroe@umcommunities.org

Rebecca Roe officially joined the UMC team in December 2013, after temping with the UMC Foundation for several months. She formerly handled administrative support, gift processing and reporting, donor relations, and grant funding functions. In her current role as Corporate Director of Communications, Rebecca manages organizational communications, publications, and branding, as well as appeals and stewardship communications for the UMC Foundation, and occasional special projects.

Rebecca especially enjoys learning about residents, family members, and teammates’ experiences with UMC and sharing their unique and impactful stories. She graduated from Muhlenberg College with a B.A. in History/Government interdisciplinary studies.