In times of change and challenge, it’s easy to stray from who we are. Maybe we forget what’s important, maybe we’re distracted from what we believe or maybe we think that we have to change in order to keep up or survive. While it’s true that changing times and circumstances require that we rethink ourselves as well as our positions, we also need to call upon our strengths and experience. In fact, we often succeed by being more of who we are rather than less.
We were all challenged in 2008. It was a year that required much from us, but from those who have been given much, much is expected. It was, and continues to be a time when we need to be our best selves, centered in our faith, moving into the world. As a community of givers, we also need to be centered in our values and in the principles of sound stewardship. Now, more than ever, we are compelled to be disciplined in fiscal management, responsible with our expenditures and focused on measurable outcomes in all of our actions.
The organizations that will weather the current financial situation are those who remain true to core values, principles and practices. We, at the Lutheran Community Foundation have always made operational decisions that reflect the values of our donors and our community. Our actions have not made us immune to the current economic environment, but with a strong investment policy, adequate reserves and a strong business model, we are in a better position than most organizations.
As Lutherans, we are called in our daily work to take action -- to go beyond our interests to benefit others. Times like these remind us of the importance of our calling and the need to work in the world. This is why our board of directors recently affirmed our policy to continue to make grants from the funds of the Foundation that exceed the rates of most foundations, so we can provide benefit when it is needed the most.
We are grateful to our donors who, by their example, keep us centered and focused in our work. We are thankful for our entire shared community as we continue to work in collaboration to reach collective goals for the greater good. And we look brightly to the future, because that, through grace, is who we are.
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Jennifer Braaten |
Chris Andersen |