By Louisiana Baptist Foundation
ALEXANDRIA, La. – The Louisiana Baptist Foundation, amid its 80th anniversary commemoration, recently celebrated Baptist Foundation Month to remind churches and individuals of the need to invest in the people, ministries and causes they love, according to LBF Executive Director Jeff Steed.
Steed said Baptist Foundation Month, established in 1971 by the Louisiana Baptist entity, also was a reminder that the LBF can assist individuals in gift planning by setting up endowments, non-cash gifts (such as stocks, bonds and real estate), estate gifts, charitable gift annuities, donor-advised funds and other types of gifts that benefit the people and organizations they cherish now and in the future.
“We are very honored to partner in ministry with donors and churches to advance the Kingdom,” he shared.
Throughout the year, the LBF has celebrated its anniversary by adding $80 to each gift from donors to Louisiana Baptist churches and ministry made through the Foundation, as well as contributing $80 to each new account opened (one per church), while funds are available for both offers. Also, the foundation has posted monthly updates on its social media pages about its history and how God has blessed it since inception.
Steed noted the ministry has helped Louisiana Baptists receive a return of $35 for every dollar of Cooperative Program budgeted to the Foundation in the most recent year.
Among the services offered by the LBF are the Short Term fund. Like a savings account, the Short Term Fund allows churches to invest their money with no minimum balance or investment period, limitless and penalty-free withdrawals, deposits and accounts, and daily-earned interest that helps steward funds for Kingdom impact.
The LBF also offers other money management services for churches, gift planning for individuals, estate stewardship for churches and Church Biz Central (accounting services, capital/stewardship campaigns, cash management, church loans, computer support line, giving-gateway.net, online giving, and payroll services).
Among those who have been impacted by the LBF is Clark Palmer, pastor of Faith Baptist Church, Pineville.
“We have kept our reserve funds there for years,” he said. “The foundation offers a great interest rate and a safe place for your money.”
