Category Archives: non-profits

Matching Our Mission: St. Paul’s Outreach

Posted on by

The Stewardship Foundation supports charities that are aligned with The Stewardship Foundation’s credo, otherwise expressed as “the reason we exist.” We understand that values are always the driving force in a nonprofit; that the social mission trumps profit, and the bottom line is measured on the good that we do in the world.

When a nonprofit or a charity seeks funding and their niche mission aligns with ours, we put our experience to work with their estate planners, advisors, accountants, and attorneys to help them achieve their charitable goals. One such nonprofit is Saint Paul’s Outreach (SPO).

Five smiling adolescents, heads together and facing downwards in a circle with arms locked
Group of adolescents smiling downward to camera.

The mission of St. Paul’s Outreach is critical! They say it best: “college campuses are battlegrounds for the minds and souls of young people, and that many are leaving the Church.”

Unfortunately, at the most, about 10% of students attend Sunday Mass, and most admit they feel isolated from God. SPO’s mission is to reach out to students and young adults on campus with the message that they can transform their lives through a deep relationship with Christ and with His people.

The word “transform” is part of the credo. “God has called us to be a transformational people who live deep relationship—with him and with one another. Our charism values support our mission, characterizing the transformative way of life that God has given us and called us to share. 

These “charism values” are:

  • Community is at the heart of SPO, its source and fruit of our mission.
  • We invite people to a personal encounter with the living Christ.
  • We respect the dignity of all human life and uphold a healthy culture of masculinity and femininity. 
  • We strive to be prayerful communally and individually.
  • We share Christ’s compassion and message with others.
  • We become committed missionary disciples for life.

We at the Stewardship Foundation support and rejoice in the work that the St. Paul’s Outreach does on our local campus here in Columbus, Ohio, and several other states in the U.S. To learn more about this vital non-profit visit the SPO website or call our office.

As usual, if you or someone you know is looking for advice about transformational giving and would like to speak to an advisor, please email us or call our office, (614) 800-7985.

Transactional vs Transformational Giving

Posted on by

For transactional donors, recognition is often a driving factor. In return for their donation, the transactional donor may receive a plaque, their name engraved on a wall, or their gala attendance photo on the society page. Others are happy to simply receive a set of return address labels or notepads decorated with the nonprofit’s logo. A transactional gift rarely gives a donor the opportunity to understand and appreciate the non-profit’s vision and long-term impact. Without creating passion for the cause, the charity is left with no other resource that to keep the giver on their mailing list and ask over and over again.

collage of giving causes

Transformational donors are deeply concerned about the impact of their monetary gift. They are passionate about a cause and want to share their resources to support the nonprofit that shares that passion. Their gift is “transformational” — that is, the giving experience “transforms” or changes both the donor and the nonprofit. Donors have been described as “an actor in a story about how a group of people trying to build a better future were able to do it because there were so many heads, hands, and hearts playing the same role.

If you want to learn more about moving from transactional to transformational giving, or want to step up your game in a localized, personal way right here in Columbus (or anywhere in the world), the Stewardship Foundation can explain how you can develop a strategic approach for a lifetime of giving and engagement. Start now to make an impact in extraordinary ways. Contact Joe Finneran, (614) 800-7985

We Believe… In Caring for the Poor

Posted on by

In our continuing series of reflections based on the credos, or statements of belief on which we founded The Stewardship Foundation, we explore care for the poor, specifically the hungry…

We believe… that it is our responsibility to care for the poor, the sick and the disadvantaged, and to use our talents for the betterment of mankind through education, opportunity and freedom.

We need not look further than Matthew 25 verses 35-45 to understand the source:

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. … Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”

According to the Urban Institute, poverty in the U.S. in 2021 is 13.7%, or 1 in 7 Americans. A leading charity, Feeding America puts the number of people experiencing hunger at 35 million. In our hometown of Columbus, Ohio, you can help support a local Food Pantry (see the list) or this coming Thanksgiving plan to provide a holiday meal to a family in need through the Byron Saunders Foundation. 

We understand that values are the driving force in a nonprofit and that the social mission trumps profit in the bottom line. 

Nonprofits and charities, like the Byron Saunders Foundation often seek funding from foundations such as ours. We work with estate planners, financial advisors, accounts and attorneys. Nonprofits and charities can benefit from our relationships within the charitable planning community. We offer:

  • A cost-free resource for charitable planning
  • Donor motivation seminars and events
  • A philanthropic partner that embraces your mission and cause
  • Opportunities to meet colleagues and potential donors and clients

We are willing to formally share what we know about the causes we support with other foundations and funders. Our success rests on our commitment, leadership, energy, enthusiasm and ideas that will emerge when we work together. Contact us now at (614) 800-7985, and please consider forwarding our message to a friend or associate.

Photo credit 222479223 © US Navy Medicine | Dreamstime.com