At its October 3, 2026, meeting, the Friends United Meeting General Board approved two significant governance and financial management documents: a new Accounting Policies and Procedures Manual and a new Delegation of Authority Policy. Together, these policies provide a clearer financial-control framework and represent an important step in strengthening stewardship, accountability, transparency, and organizational sustainability. The General Board is responsible for establishing organizational policies, approving the annual budget, and overseeing FUM’s business between Triennial Sessions.
While FUM has long relied on the faithful efforts of staff, volunteers, board members, and ministry leaders, the organization has not previously had a comprehensive accounting manual or a formal Delegation of Authority Policy defining financial authority, approval responsibilities, and key financial controls across the organization. The new policies provide that framework while aligning organizational practices with the responsibilities established in FUM’s bylaws.
The Accounting Policies and Procedures Manual establishes
common organizational standards for financial reporting, internal controls, donor-restricted funds, project accounting, subsidiary oversight, audits, and international operations. The Delegation of Authority Policy complements the manual by clarifying approval authority and financial oversight, establishing clear lines of responsibility, authorization requirements, and safeguards designed to strengthen accountability and reduce organizational risk.
Both policies were developed through a collaborative effort of the FUM Finance Committee and Treasurer Steve McDonald, with input from FUM Chief Financial Officer Todd Fisher and authorship by FUM consultant Douglass McDonald. These new frameworks strengthen stewardship, accountability, and transparency, while helping ensure that the resources entrusted to Friends United Meeting are managed responsibly, consistently, and in support of its mission. The Finance Committee will continue to oversee implementation and ongoing financial accountability.
These new policies are tools for faithful stewardship. They help ensure that donor intentions are honored, financial information is reliable, risks are understood, and ministry leaders have the information needed to make wise decisions. We hope these strong governance and financial controls will enhance the vital ministries of FUM.
The impact will extend beyond the FUM Global Office. FUM’s subsidiary organizations, including Friends Theological College and Ramallah Friends School, operate under General Board oversight and are financially accountable within FUM’s governance structure. Their financial statements and audits are incorporated into FUM’s consolidated reporting, making consistent financial standards important across the entire FUM family.
Every gift entrusted to Friends United Meeting represents faith in the ministry to which God calls us. The goal is simple: stronger stewardship in support of stronger ministry.