By Staff
LBF Ex. Dir. Jeff Steed
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)–The Louisiana Baptist Foundation Board of Trustees adopted, Oct. 27, a strategic plan, LBF Vison200, to “Advance the Kingdom through the Foundation’s ministry by $200 million over the next twenty years or less.”
LBF Executive Director Jeff Steed said the plan will set the trajectory of the Foundation for the next 20 years as it seeks to partner with churches and other ministries to advance the Kingdom “one dollar at a time, one ministry at a time, one life at a time.”
He said the $200 million goal over 20 years will be fulfilled through the Foundation’s efforts to facilitate planned gifts (e.g. non-cash gifts, estate gifts, charitable gift annuities, endowments, donor-advised funds and other special gifts beyond cash), and serve churches and other ministries with funds management as well as other services to enhance their impact.
Specifically, the Foundation will emphasize activity in four areas:
Planned Giving
— provide educational content to churches such as the “Louisiana Legacy” publication, sharing with members about ways they can benefit their church beyond cash
— speak in churches to inform members how to be good stewards with regard to their estates
— develop further robust planned giving website content
— send periodic communications to constituents
— offer confidential one-on-one meetings with prospective donors
— build further the internal infrastructure to facilitate the logistics of special gifts
— encourage every Louisiana Baptist to obtain a free basic “will and testament” that includes a tithe on her or his estate to a church, other ministry, or both
Church/Ministry Services
— emphasize funds management through such vehicles as the Short Term Fund (a daily savings account for a ministry’s cash reserves and/or designated accounts) and the Group Investment Fund (often used for endowments)
— launch services in 2021 that include church loans, payroll and human resources consulting, and capital and stewardship campaigns
— add other services over time to the newly established ChurchBiz Central (a modular platform of financial/management services)
Comprehensive Marketing
— use multiple communication channels to promote the Foundation’s services with an emphasis on building exposure across various social media platforms
Operations
— continue to maintain a well-skilled, well-experienced staff that seeks to provide churches and ministries with top-tier service to help these organizations further enhance their impact for the Kingdom
Steed told the Baptist Message that although the Foundation is rolling out new tools to aid churches and other ministries his team will remained focused on the core values that drive this ministry.
“We will evaluate each program and every decision by asking ourselves, ‘Does this advance the Kingdom,’” he said. “Does it add value to a church or other ministry … help all donors regardless of wealth status … directly/indirectly impact individuals with the Gospel … demonstrate the highest level of trust and integrity?”
“In launching LBF Vision200, we also want to express commitment and loyalty to the Cooperative Program,” Steed added. “At the end of each year, 25 percent of any net income will be given to the newly established Louisiana Baptist Convention Cooperative Program Endowment – and we will use these funds to help further the impact of the Cooperative Program efforts in Louisiana and around the world.
“Certainly theology ties us together as Louisiana Baptists,” he explained. “But the Cooperative Program is that vehicle that binds us in missions and ministry, that allows us to do more strategically for the sake of advancing the Kingdom.”
Contact the Foundation by phone, 877-523-4636, or email, contact@LBFinfo.org, to learn more about how it can serve you.
