Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan

What Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan does

The Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan is a 501(c)(3) non-profit (EIN 38-1618740) campus ministry affiliated with the United Methodist Church, operating from 602 E. Huron Street in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It serves primarily University of Michigan undergraduates and graduates while explicitly welcoming students from Eastern Michigan University, Concordia University, Washtenaw Community College, and area young adults. Core programs include Sunday-evening worship ("Conspire"/Dinner & Worship at 6:02 pm), Bible studies, Grad Student Fellowship, Faith & Fandom pop-culture discussions, the Q+A queer-affirming group, service projects, and pastoral care delivered by Chaplain Rev. Tim Kobler and a Director of "Paw"storal Care (Luna, a golden retriever). The organization is designated a Reconciling Campus Ministry by the Reconciling Ministry Network, signaling explicit LGBTQIA2S+ inclusion.

The technology footprint is intentionally lightweight: a Wix-hosted public website (umichwesley.org), the Monkey Pod donation platform for one-time and recurring giving plus payroll giving, and two third-party print-on-demand merchandise storefronts (Bonfire for clothing, Zazzle for mugs/yard signs). There is no proprietary software, no mobile app, and no disclosed integrations or API. Distribution is entirely physical/in-person on the Ann Arbor campus, with online channels limited to donations, merchandise, and social media engagement across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and YouTube.

The revenue model is donation-driven with three supplemental streams: (1) unrestricted and recurring charitable contributions from individuals, congregations, and payroll giving programs, processed via Monkey Pod; (2) an annual Art Fair parking fundraiser held July 16–18 at $20/vehicle for patrons and $35/day for vendors — a major annual revenue event; and (3) merchandise sales via Bonfire and Zazzle on a print-on-demand basis. Go-to-market is community-led: word-of-mouth, campus visibility, social media presence, and inclusive messaging. No programmatic pricing exists because the ministry's core offerings are free to participants.

Name

Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan

Legal name

The Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan

Website

https://umichwesley.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan is a 501(c)(3) United Methodist campus ministry in Ann Arbor providing worship, Bible studies, fellowship, and pastoral care to University of Michigan students and students from nearby institutions. Revenue derives from donations, an annual Art Fair parking fundraiser, and merchandise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Campus Ministry Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fundraising & Annual Giving (EDALAOAB)

Keywords

• Campus ministry services
• Religious education programs
• Faith-based community
• Student fellowship programs
• Inclusive spiritual community

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Giving: The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit (EIN# 38-1618740) that accepts one-time and recurring donations from individuals, church groups, and congregations. Online donations processed through Monkey Pod platform. Also accepts payroll giving programs through employer benefit programs.
2. Art Fair Parking Fundraiser: Annual parking lot fundraiser during the Ann Arbor Art Fair (July 16-18). Charges $20/vehicle for patrons and $35/day for vendors. Major annual fundraising event supporting student growth and development.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online stores selling Wesley Foundation branded clothing, mugs, and yard signs through Bonfire and Zazzle third-party platforms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan is a United Methodist campus ministry offering worship services, Bible studies, fellowship groups, service projects, and pastoral care to college students and young adults in Ann Arbor. Core programs include Sunday evening worship with dinner (Conspire), Grad Student Fellowship, Faith & Fandom pop culture discussions, and the Q+A affirming group for LGBTQIA2S+ students and allies. Revenue supports come from charitable donations, branded merchandise sales, and an annual Art Fair parking fundraiser.

Product overview

The Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan is a campus ministry offering a single unified program of spiritual community and faith development for college students. The core offerings include weekly worship services (Dinner & Worship on Sunday evenings), discussion groups (Grad Student Fellowship, Faith & Fandom, Q+A: Queer and Affirming), and community activities. The organization supports its ministry through online donation processing via Monkeypod, merchandise sales through Bonfire and Zazzle stores, and an annual Art Fair parking fundraiser.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United Methodist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Wesley Foundation is a campus ministry of the United Methodist Church, operating under the denomination's affiliation and support. Provides theological framework, denominational resources, and connection to wider church network.
• Reconciling Ministry Network (RMN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated with Reconciling Ministry Network as a Reconciling Campus Ministry. Organization explicitly welcomes all persons regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Network provides inclusive ministry framework and recognition.
• BonfireminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party print-on-demand platform for Wesley Foundation branded clothing merchandise store.
• ZazzleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party merchandise platform for Wesley Foundation branded gear including mugs, yard signs, and other products.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wesley Foundation at Michigan State University: UMC-affiliated Wesley Foundation ministry operating on a peer Big Ten campus in East Lansing. Most directly comparable in denominational structure, programming model, and staff scale.
• Wesley Foundation at Indiana University: UMC-affiliated Wesley Foundation ministry at another Big Ten campus, with comparable weekly worship, Bible study, and student programming. Closest denominational and operational analog.
• Canterbury House (Episcopal Campus Ministry at UMich): Mainline Protestant campus ministry located on the same University of Michigan campus. Direct competitor for students seeking progressive, inclusive Christian community.
• St. Mary Student Parish (Catholic, UMich): Large Catholic campus ministry on the same University of Michigan campus, serving a much larger student base and operating weekly programming. Competes for the same student mindshare.
• Michigan Hillel: Jewish campus organization at the University of Michigan providing worship, education, and community programming. Comparable faith-based student-services model on the same campus.
• Wesley Foundation at Purdue University: UMC-affiliated Wesley Foundation serving Purdue students. Same denominational apparatus, governance model, and program offerings as the subject organization.
• Baptist Collegiate Ministry at UMich: Another denominational campus ministry operating on the same UMich campus with Bible studies, fellowship, and worship. Direct peer in ministry model and target student audience.

Broad incumbents

• InterVarsity Christian Fellowship: Large interdenominational evangelical campus ministry with chapters at hundreds of US universities including UMich. Competes for the same students with broader doctrinal reach and more staff capacity per campus.
• Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ): National interdenominational campus ministry with an active UMich chapter. Sizable organization with a comparable student ministry programming model and student-development focus.

Emerging players

• Young Life College: Faith-based college student outreach organization with chapters at multiple universities. Comparable to Wesley's community-led student-engagement model though more recent in the college segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBMyB0AJDfJoj8tY0-vlTkg
• Facebookfacebook.com/wesleyatumich
• Instagraminstagram.com/umichwesley

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan