One of the core values of the Seventh-day Adventist movement is stewardship. The organized and careful management of one's resources is not just a lifestyle but a God-given invitation. While Job 41:11 states that everything under heaven belongs to the Lord, every individual has been granted the responsibility and privilege of being a good and faithful steward with the resources God has given.
When thinking of stewardship, giving of our finances often comes to mind. However, beyond the faithful giving of tithes and offerings, many seek to give to organizations making a meaningful impact. Nevertheless, managing the different ministries and entities to which we choose to give can be challenging. Therefore, the Adventist Donor Gift Fund (ADGF) has been created to help make giving easier for those seeking to give in this manner.
Developed by the Planned Giving & Trust Services (PGTS) Department of the General Conference (GC) of Seventh-day Adventists, the ADGF intends to encourage and facilitate joyful, philanthropic contributions beyond personal tithes and offerings. This fund within the BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund is a convenient, easy, and quick method to donate to multiple charitable organizations at once.
“This is a wonderful new initiative,” states Scot Coppock, associate director for PGTS. “The Adventist Donor Gift Fund is essentially a one-stop shop that seeks to maximize the impact of a donor’s charitable giving.”
Branded by the Adventist Church and launched in May 2022, the ADGF is a donor-advised fund. Coppock shares, “When a donor opens up an account, 25 percent of their donation is placed in a restricted account designated for the Adventist organization of their choosing.”
An aspect Aniel Barbe, associate director of the Stewardship Ministries Department for the GC, likes about the ADGF is that the remaining “75% of every gift goes to an unrestricted fund.”
Coppock explains, “The remaining 75 percent goes to an unrestricted account and can be given to any qualified charitable organization in the United States, including other Seventh-day Adventist organizations.”
Barbe elaborates, “ADGF will be instrumental in improving the effective distribution of funds to mission initiatives … This is the right spirit of Christian giving.”
Donors can contribute financially to participating organizations like It Is Written, Adventist World Radio, and various Adventist universities. However, Coppock notes, “If a donor wants to contribute to their local community fund or to organizations like the United Way or cancer research, they can have their funds go to those charities as well.”
While donors can deposit funds into the ADGF, Coppock highlights that they have full control over when they would like organizations to receive their contributions. As a result, “If someone needs to capture a tax benefit now and then figure out later where they want their money to go, this makes it easy for people to make a gift at the time that suits them best.” Additionally, contributions may be eligible for a tax deduction and grow tax-free.
While the ADGF mainly benefits and facilitates giving for US citizens, international residents who have a US bank account can also contribute to the fund.
Donors interested in opening an account to make contributions to the ADGF can do so by “reaching out to the organization you’re interested in making the restricted beneficiary. They will be able to help be the point of contact for you in case you have any questions along the way,” states Coppock. “However, our website also has all the information you need to do it on your own.”
The ADGF also makes it possible for donors to leave a legacy of giving. Coppock explains, “While we’re here to help people with giving in life and at death, this fund allows donors to pass on the joy of giving to the next generation.” Donors can add additional advisors to their accounts, allowing their children or grandchildren to also have the opportunity to make charitable donations to their own organizations.
“This fund is a great way of empowering the next generation to make gifts,” Coppock elaborates. “What we’ve noticed is that the next generation will do the research and find organizations they want to support. After making those donations and seeing their gifts' impact, they continue giving.” This allows the entire family to experience the joy of giving together.
As a faithful steward, how will you give back to God and support His mission of spreading the gospel message of Jesus Christ today?
To become a donor or participating organization or learn more about the Adventist Donor Gift Fund, visit https://www.willplan.us/donorgiftfund/.