In 1998, Mrs. Ellen Foster donated $500,000 to found the "Thomas S. Foster Endowment for Christianity and the Fine Arts" to provide partial funding for an outreach ministry of First United Methodist Church in Peoria, Illinois, focusing on the impact of Christianity on the fine arts.
The same year, Ande Lister worked to found Arts Place, a fine arts program for the nearby Irving Primary School. In a time when arts funding for public schools had been cut or was on the chopping block, Arts Place provided a place for students with artistic ability. At the time it was one of few after-school programs offered to Irving School, and it was the beginning of a continuing relationship with the community on the near north side of Peoria.
Irving Choir was recently added to the ministries funded by the Foster Endowment. The brainchild of Loy Sloan, who also coordinates the soccer program, Irving Choir responded to the lack of a music program at Irving School. In its third year, the choir is at a record membership of 50 students.
Although not funded by the endowment, the annual fine art show is possibly the oldest outreach into the fine arts community. Each year approximately 60 artists exhibit work at First United Methodist Church.