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LDS Philanthropies



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	LDS Philanthropies 15 E. South Temple 2nd Floor East Salt Lake City, UT 84150 801-240-5567 Email Us

Under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric of the Church, the role of LDS Philanthropies is to help individuals and organizations make a difference in people's lives.

Introduction to LDS Philanthropies

LDS Philanthropies serves as the central coordinating agency for all donations to the Church or one of its institutions—beyond tithing and fast offerings—with the goal of helping members and friends of the Church meet the needs of people worldwide. This is accomplished by focusing on those priorities selected and approved by the leaders of the Church and its institutions.

Who Is Giving in Support of These Worthy Causes

Those who donate to the Church in support of these worthy causes include families; individuals, both young and elderly; those with great abundance; and those with very little in the way of earthly possessions. A few years ago, one man contacted LDS Philanthropies with a desire to help others. After he carefully assessed his situation, with the help of an LDS Philanthropies representative, he determined that he could afford to give $100 a month, but probably not more. He has been doing just that ever since.

Why People Are Giving

Church members generally support Church endeavors through tithes and offerings. However, the rapidly expanding global Church provides additional opportunities to help accelerate the work of the Restoration—to change and save lives.

By making charity a part of our lives, the powers of heaven are made manifest to us and we experience a deep spiritual growth that cannot be obtained any other way.

Charitable acts can take many forms. Our opportunities range from simply sharing our favorite, oven-fresh cookies with a neighbor to giving financial support to vital Church projects.

We have a perfect example of compassion and giving in the Savior. His life and lessons teach us the importance of extending our hands to our brothers and sisters and changing their lives for the better. Charity, or the pure love of Christ, is a key to our happiness. As we become involved in the charitable opportunities around us, sacrificing and giving, we can experience true joy and the special blessings reserved for those who follow the Savior's example.

As the Church reaches out to the nations of the world through humanitarian and educational efforts, opportunities abound for blessing people's lives through charitable giving. Whether your charitable interests lie in feeding the poor, helping the homeless, educating youth, developing cures for disease, advancing science, or supporting the arts, there are opportunities to give within the scope of the work of the Church and its various organizations and programs.

Questions and Answers about LDS Philanthropies
Q.	How can I make a gift?
A.	If you are ready to make a gift now, simply click on the Ways I Can Give link found on the left side of this screen. Next you will see a page from which you can select I Want to Make a Cash Gift Now. There you will find the information and directions necessary for you to make a secured cash gift. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. If you are considering a gift of real estate, life insurance, a charitable remainder unitrust, or any other complicated type of gift, you can contact LDS Philanthropies toll free by calling 800-525-8074. LDS Philanthropies houses a staff of professionals who can assist you in making a voluntary gift while guiding you through any complexities. They can also provide assistance to your attorneys, accountants, financial planners, and others in developing the necessary documents. These services are provided free of charge.
Q.	Are administrative costs deducted from the gift?
A.	One hundred percent of your gift goes to the Church program or institution you specify. None of it goes for administrative, salary, or other similar costs. By sharing your resources, you can change countless lives for the better.
Q.	Can I make an anonymous gift?
A.	Yes. When you make a gift through LDS Philanthropies to any Church-sponsored program or institution, you can be certain that all conversations and transactions will be held in strictest confidence. Publicity will be generated only as appropriate and with your approval.
Q.	How can I participate in philanthropic giving if I am not wealthy?
A.	There are numerous ways in which you can increase your participation in accelerating the work of the Church. Outright gifts of money are the most common and direct way. Many people, even those of modest means, choose to share their blessings with affordable cash gifts. A simple pledge may help you stay within your financial plan by permitting you to make installment payments for two, three, or more years.
Q.	Are gifts of in-kind assets useful?
A.	Gifts in kind, such as a gift of medical equipment and supplies or educational materials to Humanitarian Service, can provide the means to assist people who are in critical need. Computer equipment, special collections, selected artwork, and other gifts in kind can provide needed resources to support the Church's educational efforts throughout the world.
Q.	If I don't have much cash, can I still participate?
A.	Yes. Many people in your circumstances make significant gifts with assets such as real estate, stocks, and bonds. You might consider some of these commonly used methods: Outright Gifts of Securities and Real Estate. You might incur large tax liabilities by selling appreciated securities and real estate. However, you can reduce your tax liability and build the kingdom at the same time by giving the securities and real estate directly to a Church-sponsored institution or program. Bargain Sale. A Church-sponsored institution will purchase the asset at a bargain price. The gift you give is the difference between the sale price and the fair market value of the property. Remainder Interest Deed. This deed allows you to retain the use of your personal residence during your lifetime. At your death, the property is passed to the program you specify. This type of gift would provide you with an immediate income tax deduction.
Q.	What if I still need income to take care of my physical needs?
A.	Your situation is more common than you might suppose. There are many types of plans you can set up to meet your needs and still make contributions to Church-sponsored entities. A Charitable Gift Annuity allows you to transfer assets to the program or institution of your choice in exchange for a lifetime annuity. Annuity payments can begin now or in the future, at your request. A Pooled Income Fund allows several people of modest means to participate in a trust agreement by pooling their gifts. In this type of fund, each participant receives an income for his or her lifetime. When a contributor dies, his or her portion of the fund principal goes to a program specified by that individual. A Charitable Life Income Trust enables you to place an asset in trust, directing the income to yourself or a beneficiary for a specified term or for life. At the end of the trust term, any remaining assets and income go to the Church-sponsored program or institution of your choice.

The Vision of Our Leaders
President Gordon B. Hinckley Special Church Programs "There must be no diminution in our effort to carry the gospel to the people of the earth. In the future even more of our young men must prepare themselves to go out in service to the Lord. Our Christian acts must precede them and accompany them wherever necessary. I am grateful for the humanitarian aid we have been able to extend to the poor and the unfortunate. This very day hungry children are eating food . . . because of the aid which you have sent. In a world where there is so much of hunger and suffering, where death walks hand in hand with little children, we must continue and enlarge our efforts, not permitting politics or other factors to hold back the hand of mercy. As we look to the future we must extend the great work carried forward in the temples, both for the living and the dead. If this people cannot be saved without their dead, as the Prophet Joseph declared, then we must make it possible for many more to accomplish this work." (Gordon B. Hinckley, "Look to the Future," Ensign, Nov. 1997, p. 67)
Church Education "It is apparent that we are obligated not only to learn of ecclesiastical matters but also of secular matters. There is a tradition in the Church that deals with these things. . . We shall continue to support BYU and its [campuses in Hawaii and Idaho. . . . We shall keep these as flagships testifying to the great and earnest commitment of this Church to education, both ecclesiastical and secular, and while doing so prove to the world that excellent secular learning can be gained in an environment of religious faith."
Presiding Bishop David H. Burton "To help relieve suffering is to cultivate a Christlike character. We are charged, as were those who listened at the feet of the Savior 2,000 years ago, to 'go, and do thou likewise.' The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that it is our responsibility 'to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church or in any other, or in no church at all, wherever he finds them' (Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1842, 732). "May we be generous with our time and liberal in our contributions for the care of those who suffer. May we commit to the principles of Good Samaritanism and be ever mindful of the need to 'go, and do thou likewise.'"
Brigham Young University President Cecil O. Samuelson "I believe this is a kingdom-building place and am grateful for my opportunity to be here. My role as president is to send a clear signal on a repeated basis about the academic and spiritual mission of BYU. I will work to provide whatever leadership I can to the university community as we strive to fulfill this mission. I will also work to garner the resources needed so individuals can reach their full potential. The idea is to see the most lives blessed in the most effective and efficient way."
BYU—Idaho President Kim B. Clark Brigham Young University-Idaho was established as a proving ground of great fidelity for education and will continue blessing the young people of the Church worldwide. As administrators, faculty, students, alumni, and friends all work together under the inspired guidance of the board of trustees, we accelerate the steady, upward course the Lord has set for BYU-Idaho. It is and will increasingly be a university true to its heritage, its mission, and everything the Lord wants it to be. Our hope is that more people will feel connected to the miracles taking place on this campus and in the lives of individual students. On this Web site we are able to communicate quickly how philanthropic gifts are helping students and what is needed to enhance and accelerate the work. A growing number of our friends are contributing through this interactive site.
BYU—Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway Polynesian Cultural Center President Von D. Orgill Having recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of Brigham Young University Hawaii and the 40th anniversary of the Polynesian Cultural Center, a fresh wind fills our sails. Our voyage is underway. The prophetic promise of President David O. McKay that "from this school...will go men and women whose influence will be felt for good towards the establishment of peace internationally" is being fulfilled. Of necessity, the work here on campus is quickening. Challenged by the board of trustees to accelerate the pace, Brigham Young University Hawaii and Polynesian Cultural Center are intensifying efforts to educate more young men and women from Pacific and Asian nations. You can touch the lives of students and, ultimately, the world by donating to Brigham Young University Hawaii and Polynesian Cultural Center.
LDS Business College President Stephen K. Woodhouse "As we look on our past, we see many occasions where the College has been preserved by prophets and nurtured by men and women of strong faith. Some may wonder why the Lord would preserve such a small institution as part of His kingdom. We know that 'by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.' (Alma 37:6) "We feel that in our realm and sphere of influence our graduates can 'bear exceedingly great and glorious tidings, in truth, unto the ends of the earth, that they may know that this is (the Lord's) work . . .' (D&C 109:23) "We hope that our students, who seem at first unable, 'might bud and blossom, and bring forth in abundance.' (D&C 117:7) Therefore, it becomes our charge to 'strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees,' to 'say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not . . . ' (Isa. 35:3)."

LDS Philanthropies Organization

Reporting Relationships

LDS Philanthropies is a department of the Presiding Bishopric of the Church and reports directly to both the bishopric and the Commissioner of Education for the Church.

Service Relationships

The Philanthropies serves the Church's philanthropic needs—beyond tithing and fast offerings—for welfare and humanitarian programs, the Perpetual Education Fund, temple and missionary programs, and the Church's institutions of higher education.

The History of LDS Philanthropies

Summary

The first permanent organization created to raise philanthropic funds for charitable causes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came about in 1955 when the BYU Destiny Fund was launched. In 1971, the Church's First Presidency commissioned a successor organization, Church Education Development (CED). This office sought private support for the Church's institutions of higher learning, its seminary and institute programs, and its elementary and secondary school systems. In 1982, CED's name was changed to LDS Foundation. Since its beginnings, the mission and services of LDS Philanthropies have been continually shaped and refined to better serve the philanthropic needs of members and friends of the Church.

Milestones

Year	What	Why
1955	The first permanent Church organization created to raise philanthropic funds is formed at BYU.	The BYU Destiny Fund is initiated as a high-impact alumni program designed to generate an endowment for scholarships and funds for other needs of the university.
1966	The Development Office of BYU is formally created. A national development volunteer council is also appointed.	The Development Office of BYU is organized to "augment Church support of the Church school to foster those academic programs in which it can make major contributions and make it the most proficient institution of learning in the world" (First Presidency letter, 21 October 1966).
1971	President Nathan Eldon Tanner, counselor in the First Presidency, creates a task force to address philanthropic issues in the Church. As a result of the task force's work, the Church Education Development organization is created.	The task force is given the charge to recommend to the First Presidency the best organizational format for philanthropic work within the Church. The new organization is asked to report directly to the Commissioner of Education.
1972	The Church creates its own trust company, Deseret Trust Company.	Deseret Trust Company, a non-profit organization, is formed to serve as a "fiduciary entity of donor choice" for charitable trusts, gift annuities, revocable trusts, and selected other funds. It also acts—in substantive part—as a fiduciary for trusts which benefit other Church affiliates.
1972	A standing committee is organized to monitor gift acceptance among Church institutions.	In behalf of Church institutions, a committee is asked to oversee the acceptance of major gifts and gifts of special import. Those invited to serve include development staff members, other Church employees, a representative from the Deseret Trust Company, and respected individuals from the business community.
1973	Church Education Development is renamed The Development Office of the Church.	The renamed organization continues to report to the Commissioner of Education. In addition to furthering philanthropic efforts for Church educational units, the office begins development work for other Church programs:
		Division of Health Services • Hospitals • Medical Research and Education • Medical Services Division of Education • Brigham Young University • Ricks College • Church College of Hawaii • LDS Business College • Elementary and Secondary Schools • Institutes and Seminaries Division of Special Projects • Missionary Program • Other Special Projects
1974	The Church divests itself of all its hospital operations.	As the Church focuses more on its primary mission and purposes, development work for Church health organizations ceases.
1975	BYU announces its Second Century Campaign.	BYU begins its centennial celebration by conducting a one-year major capital campaign. The campaign surpasses its $20 million goal by $285,000.
1980	The Development Office begins reporting to a General Authority.	To achieve stronger correlation among Church institutions, the Development Office begins reporting directly to a member of the Quorum of the Seventy.
1980	The Development Office budget methodology is changed.	Prior to this time, development operations were financed from a prorata assessment of unrestricted dollars raised for each institution. The Church begins including the Development Office in its annual budgeting process; 100 percent of all philanthropic contributions go to donors' intended purposes.
1981	BYU announces a five-year major capital campaign, Excellence in the Eighties.	The university announces a $100 million major capital campaign to augment university programs. Public announcement of the campaign is made in October of 1982. At the campaign's end in December of 1986, campaign contributions total $115.7 million.
1981	The Development Office is reorganized as a unit within the stewardship of the Office of the Presiding Bishopric.	The Development Office begins reporting to the Investments Department of the Office of the Presiding Bishopric to achieve stronger correlation in donation programs.
1981	The Development Board is created.	The board is formed to bring correlation, formal direction, and policy formation to philanthropic work within the Church. Functioning under the auspices of the board, the Gift Review Committee—which has functioned independently of any direct board supervision since 1971—is organized as the Gift Evaluation Committee.
1982	The Development Office of the Church is renamed LDS Foundation.	The name LDS Foundation is chosen to describe the Church's philanthropic organization. A First Presidency letter reclarifies the office's purpose: to "encourage and facilitate voluntary philanthropic contributions to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its related organizations and activities, with primary fund-raising emphasis relating to Church institutions of higher education." The Foundation continues to report to the Presiding Bishopric through the Investments Department.
1985	Ricks College announces a five-year major capital campaign.	Ricks College launches a five-year capital campaign to raise funds for selected programs. By the end of 1990, it surpasses its goal of $10 million, as development efforts raise $12.2 million.
1986	For the first time, LDS Foundation reports directly to the Presiding Bishopric.	LDS Foundation is asked to report directly to the Presiding Bishopric to further strengthen its philanthropic role in the church.
1990	John Grenzebach & Associates, a Chicago-based philanthropic consulting firm, is retained by LDS Foundation and BYU.	BYU is anxious to pursue a major capital campaign during the decade of the '90s, but seeks independent campaign counsel to accurately assess the magnitude of preliminary work necessary to ensure a successful campaign effort. Foundation leaders encourage the use of independent counsel to help the university organize internally, conduct campaign feasibility research, and determine campaign logistics.
1992	The Gift Evaluation Committee is dissolved and a new correlation committee is formed.	The new committee is charged with supervision, oversight, and correlation of gift acceptance for all Church institutions and departments—including its educational institutions.
1993	With the assistance of John Grenzebach & Associates, BYU conducts a pre-campaign feasibility study.	Representatives of the John Grenzebach & Associates firm personally interview approximately 100 major campaign prospects to determine the likelihood of BYU's success in conducting a major campaign. Results are positive.
1994	The Church Board of Education and Board of Trustees approve a six-year, $217 million major campaign for BYU. Ricks College receives permission to raise philanthropic funds for designated priorities.	The quiet, or nucleus, phase of BYU's campaign begins. The public-phase announcement is planned for 1996. Ricks College's fund-raising efforts will span five years, formally beginning in 1995.
1995	The campaign goal is raised from $217 million to $250 million.	The success of the nucleus phase results in commitment of more than 50 percent of the campaign goal.
1996	The Lighting the Way for the 21^st Century capital campaign is formally launched for BYU and BYU–Hawaii.	On 6 April, BYU hosts a public celebration to invite private individual and organizational support of the new $250 million major campaign. BYU–Hawaii joins BYU in this historic effort to achieve three primary objectives: • Teach more students. • Enhance educational quality. • Extend BYU's influence.
1999	The Lighting the Way for the 21^st Century capital campaign ends 31 December 1999, eight months earlier than originally planned. Ricks College completes its five-year efforts to fund selected priority projects.	With the admonition from the First Presidency to hasten the campaign's successful conclusion, the Lighting the Way campaign concludes at a level of $412 million, 165 percent of its original goal. Ricks College surpasses its $17.4 million philanthropic plans for designated priorities by raising $19.4 million, 112 percent of the initial five-year goal.
2000	LDS Foundation begins proactive fund raising for the Church's Humanitarian Services division.	Voluntary donations of money and in-kind gifts are needed to support the Church's international assistance to the world's poor and to disaster response programs.
2001	LDS Foundation launches its Internet site.	The new web site "ldsfoundation.org" provides members and friends of the Church with a comprehensive source of information about making philanthropic gifts to the Church and its charitable institutions and programs.