Charitable Trust
I hopped a train at Union Station early this morning and spent the day in Richmond, VA. About five years ago, I was invited to serve as a trustee for the Des Plaines Charitable Trust through some relational connections. Serving in that capacity is one of the great joys and privileges of my life. We aren't the largest trust fund on the block, but we make a difference. The focus of our fund is to give grants to upstart ministries. It is pure joy giving money away! Especially seed money that can help a vision get off the ground.
8 Comments:
Hi
What is the criteria for being worthy of the fundage?
Jess
How might one get information on the Trust? Do they have a website? Or an address where one can send off for more information or grant forms?
Jess,
Des Plaines is somewhat unique in the way we fund things. We're listed in "the book" of foundations. So we receive some unsolicited requests. But we are highly relational. We like funding ministries we know about. The grant process is very organic--an outgrowth of our networks of relationships.
More often than not, it isn't people approaching us. It's us approaching them.
Mark
I was unaware such foundations existed; we've tried looking, but didn't get very far. We're a church plant, but looking to do more of a marketplace ministry coffee house. (Basically, exactly Ebenezer's was our vision before we knew it existed; then we visited and said, "Yup; that's what we're talking about!" Are there any other foundations you're aware of that do accept solicited requests?
Sorry, UN-solicited requests...
You can really see a mans heart with a statement like that. Giving for the right reason with the right heart is a really great way for people to see God. I love this blog.
Tom
Jessi,
Wish I knew of some other foundations, but I honestly don't. I wish there was a huge foundation totally focused on church plants or church experiments :)
Someone with lots of money and a huge heart for church planting needs to start a church planting foundation!
Mark
Upstart ministries? I love the choice of words. I think that is a great funding strategy. Thank you for serving in that capacity.
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