Foundation Update

Foundation Update

Friday, 25 September 2009 11:59

From the desk of Garret G. Nieuwenhuis
Executive Director
Foundation for Eastern Christian School Association

Last week, E.C. Head of Schools Tom Dykhouse and I traveled to Chicago ( Tinley Park) to attend the 2009 Planned Giving Conference of the Barnabas Foundation. As you may know, Eastern Christian has been a long time member of the Barnabas Foundation and several EC Association members, including Tom and I, have served on the Board of the Barnabas Foundation over the past 20 years. The Barnabas Foundation benefits our families by sharing their expertise in Planned Giving and Estate Planning Services from a Christian perspective. Over the years many families affiliated with Eastern Christian have taken advantage of these free services and Eastern Christian in turn has benefited significantly from gifts left to the school as a result of the work of the Barnabas Foundation.

Since Planned Giving is a critical component of our fundraising efforts, we were anxious to participate and learn from the presenters at the conference as well as from our peers in other Christian Schools as to best methods to use in both Planned Giving and fundraising. From the dynamic keynote speaker to the various breakout sessions, we were constantly reminded that these are not normal times and we have to approach our donors in a focused and direct manner with appeals that specifically connect the donor to the organization by showing the donors the benefits derived from their giving. In other words, what has been accomplished with the funds received from the donors.

We at Eastern Christian pride ourselves in the fact that we are extremely efficient and prudent with the gifts that are directed to us. We have tightened our belts and have committed ourselves to be good stewards of the gifts that God has directed to us through you our donors. We are constantly amazed at the way our prayers have been answered and how that the Christian School community has responded to our needs. Currently we are receiving the initial commitments to the 2009-2010 Annual Fund appeal and we stand in awe of the blessings that are being showered on us by the faithful support of our donors! It is truly a confirmation that “our God reigns” and that He is in control of all aspects of our life.

We ask that those who have not yet responded to our appeals for the Annual Fund, the Harvestfest celebration and our annual Fashion Show consider how you may participate in one or all of these events. Your support, in whatever amount, will be sincerely appreciated. If you own a business, consider joining us for a free breakfast seminar on Tuesday, October 13th at the Brownstone where our carefully selected speakers will discuss ways that you can strengthen your business and how to protect and grow your business by using time tested methods of planning. We would love to see you there at 7:30 AM for a delicious breakfast and a valuable program.

Attending the Barnabas meetings really “charged our batteries” and we hope to share some of the more interesting ideas and suggestions with you over the next several months. In the meantime if you have a suggestion or idea on how we can raise some serious money for Eastern Christian or how you would be willing to help us raise these funds, please contact me and we will be happy to consider it.

In His service

Garret Nieuwenhuis
Executive Director & Director of Planned Giving
Foundation for Eastern Christian School
September 24,2009