Category Archives: stewardship

You’re Not Alone

Posted on by

walk aloneHeartbeat International serves as the leadership and resource supply line for its ever-growing Pregnancy HELP Centers worldwide. April 2-5, hundreds of pregnancy center directors, supporters, volunteers, affiliates, and support organizations (like us who serve in these pro-life ministries) attended their annual conference in Dallas.

Although participants were refreshed and renewed with great food, inspiring music, and communal worship services, they were also soberly reminded that the task is difficult. They cannot take the cross out of the cross-bearing work that they do, and so they must make peace with the hardship of their ministry.

One of the more poignant messages came from a minister from Liberia, “If you want to go fast then go alone. If you want to go far, then go together.”

Those working in pro-life know they must go far and they accept the hardships of their ministries. We were there to let them to know that, with the Stewardship Foundation by their side, they need not go alone.

As you know, we encourage ethically responsible nonprofits to partner with us. We provide the tools and resources needed by individuals and businesses who are eager to invest beyond the cash donation.

Heartbeat affiliates and all pro-life, pro-family, and pro-freedom nonprofits need not walk alone in their search for
transformational gifts. We are here, intent on walking with them. Will you let us walk farther with you?

 

The Stewardship Foundation Advisory Committee – Answer the Call

Posted on by

hands onThe Stewardship Foundation is calling for volunteers to serve on our Advisory Committee. We are looking for people with expertise in grant writing, event management, and business or marketing skills to build an effective coalition of stakeholders in our mission.

The Stewardship Foundation Advisory Committee individuals are of all ages and experience who bring unique knowledge and skills that complement our Board of Directors and staff.

Our committee members are advocates who care deeply about the causes we support and lend their time and talents to advise and guide the Foundation.

What are the support roles?

  • Education – In this role, you will help us identify and engage charities whose causes the Stewardship Foundation supports. You will help us identify potential charitable donors and investment advisors who are a good fit for the Stewardship Foundation model of transformational giving.
  • Promotion – Use your marketing or event planning experience to help us plan and organize events, workshops, and seminars to educate and motivate donors or introduce our services to the advisor community.
  • Organization – This role uses your business acumen to challenge and encourage the Foundation to meet objectives and assist in evaluating our progress.

Committee members are asked to commit to a 2-year term and participate in at most 4 meetings or conference calls each year. We also ask members to communicate through email or phone when the Foundation seeks opinions or feedback on ideas and projects.

To learn more about this opportunity or to to express your interest in the Advisory Committee, please call Executive Director, Jim Kebe (614) 800-7985 or email your name and contact information with a short note
regarding the best time of day for us to reach out to you.

If you know someone who you believe would be ideal for the Committee, please forward this page.

NOTE: Your contact information is confidential until you agree to join the Advisory Committee.

 

Tithing From the Heart

Posted on by

The concept of giving away 10% of what we have stems from the Old Testament law that required that a tenth of all produce, flocks, and cattle be given to support the priestly class in ancient Israel. Then the Levites, in turn, were to give a tenth of that support to the high priest. Also, every three years, there was an additional tithe for foreigners, orphans and widows, and another to support festivals.

During the New Testament times came Jesus who made it clear that the old laws were now abolished and replaced with an obligation to be generous to those in need (Matthew 25:31-46). He didn’t specify how to be generous, but made it clear that we must be. Jesus further insinuates that because there is no limit to the Father’s generosity, we should not limit our generosity. However, many of us are not able to be as generous as our Father, so the 10% tithe continues to be the ideal goal for Christians.

tithingFast forward to today – how are we doing under the new law? The Chronicle of Philanthropy has a How America Gives section that allows you to explore philanthropy in America, and even drill down to state, city, and neighborhood.

We found the most generous states to be Utah and Mississippi where the typical household gives more than 7% of its income to charity, while Massachusetts and 3 other New England states give less than 3%. Ohio ranks 37 out of 51 states in percent of income given, just 4.1%. Visit the website to see how you compare to your own city and neighborhood.

The rich aren’t the most generous. Middle-class Americans give an average of 7.6% to charity, compared to 4.2% for people making $100,000 or more. Rich people who live in neighborhoods with other rich people give a smaller share of their income to charity, but if that rich person lives in a more diverse neighborhood, they give more. It would appear that keeping up with the Jones’ makes one less generous, but generosity can come from another source – our time.

There’s widespread belief that charities exist to help needy people and that’s why we give. However, we have found that “cheerful givers” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) prefer to support causes that mean something to them. The Stewardship Foundation can help you explore giving opportunities with charities that support these causes.