Last week, Religious Herald editor and business manager Jim White received a certificate of proficiency in planned giving from the School of Philanthropy in Indianapolis, Ind. The School of Philanthropy is operated in partnership by Indiana and Perdue universities.
“In the current economic and denominational climate,” says White, “ministries are seeking partnerships with people who share a strong commitment to the work and values shared by those ministries. The specific services they offer Baptists and the way they proclaim the gospel are important to these folks. They not only support the ministries during their lifetimes, but many are continuing to do so after their deaths through their wills and other financial plans.”
As an illustration, White cites two gifts the Religious Herald has received recently from the estates of two Virginia Baptists: missions leader Alma Hunt and former pastor and wife, Emmett and Edna Stroop.
“Miss Alma and Rev. Stroop felt strongly about the necessity of a free and unfettered press in Baptist life and they left a percentage of their estates to the Religious Herald. Since 1828, the Herald has played a strategic role in keeping Virginia Baptists linked together in purpose and missions.”
Two striking advantages apply to Virginia Baptist partners, like the Religious Herald, over most other non-profit ministries seeking funds from individuals. First, a track record of long, faithful and effective service creates confidence that gifts to Virginia Baptist causes will be used to advance Christ's kingdom in specific ways. White says the second advantage is having the Virginia Baptist Foundation as backup.
“This enables our staff and me to concentrate on communicating important news to Virginia Baptists through the issues of the Religious Herald and through our internet presence. As I have gotten to know Virginia Baptists, I have discovered that many of them desire to leave something to help continue the work of Christ through Virginia Baptists — including the Religious Herald. I can connect them to the Foundation and the folks there will make sure it happens to everyone's satisfaction.”
White also emphasizes that the planned giving training he received was provided through a grant from the Foundation. “In my role as editor and business manager of the Herald, I have to be able to talk to people about different giving options they have. It is neither my calling nor goal, however, to become a financial planner for people's estates. The Foundation obviously agrees with that philosophy and provided the funds for the training through a grant we requested.”
While outright gifts and bequests through wills continue to be the methods most used by Baptists, a variety of other plans are in place. These enable people to fund charitable causes while providing for their retirement needs and their desire to leave something to children and grandchildren.
“Although most Virginia Baptists want to leave something that will continue to promote the cause of Christ after they have gone to heaven, they just don't know how,” White affirms. “I think most of them would be thrilled to know just how much impact they can have if they are willing to explore the options.”
To find out more about how you can give to the Religious Herald and other Virginia Baptist causes during your lifetime and beyond, call Jim White (800) 711-7795 or the Virginia Baptist Foundation (800) 868-2464.