Last year we received more than $2.2 million in unsolicited donations. We are on track to receive a similar amount this year.
In addition to these day-to-day gifts, we are sometimes the recipients of estate gifts. In 2006 we received $181,000 in estate giving. Our Home Council and Directorate decide specifically how these funds may be spent. The chart below illustrates their designations for last year.
2006 Estate Fund Uses
51%Personnel$112,000
Retired Missionary Support ($35,000)
Active Missionary Support ($72,000)
Condinued Education ($5,000)
10%Properties $21,000
Building Fund ($16,000)
Maintenance ($5,000)
24% Mission Activityand Promotion $52,000
Field Projects and Events ($21,000)
Urbana Participation ($7,500)
Mission Organization Participation ($6,000)
Office Travel to Fields ($9,500)
WMPL Promotion ($8,000)
15%Office Expenses $33,000
Equipment ($8,000)
Office Vehicle ($8,500)
Business Office Expenses ($16,500)
100% Total$218,000
Since 2003, the Council has authorized the use of estate gifts to supplement missionary allowances when our General Fund and General Missionary Support fund are completely used up. The Council decided that estate funds could be used, if available, to raise missionary allowances to 80% of their target when necessary. Last year, the Council revised this threshold downward, to 65%. Paying our retired missionaries a small pension has always been a top priority; usually estate funds are set aside for this purpose, too. For this reason Personnel is higher than any other category.
Mission Activity and Promotion was the next highest category. Last year we used estate gifts to help fund a housing project at LAMB Hospital in Bangladesh, and to host a meeting with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya (ELCK) here in Minneapolis. The Council also authorized a video project and a new display board for the purpose of better informing people about the Prayer League.
We receive estate gifts like any other donation with gratitude and as gifts from the hand of God. They are different in some ways, too. They represent the fruits of a lifetime of witness and labor! Estate Fund gifts have played an integral role in the accomplishment of the ministries God has given us. We trust that their use in this way would be pleasing to those who have thought to include the Prayer League in their estate planning.
If you would like to know more about including the Prayer League in your own estate planning, please call our Business Office. We can provide you with some material to get you started.