ELCA World Hunger has had an annual goal of $18,500,000 for fiscal years 2010, 2011 and now 2012.\u00a0 As of January 31, 2012, the completion of fiscal year 2011, we are so excited to report that giving from individuals, congregations, synods and others totaled nearly $19,100,000.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was possible to exceed our\u00a0goal\u00a0thanks to wonderful stewardship, faithful support, and the efforts of many passionate people across this church \u2013 pastors, synod hunger leaders, volunteers, donors, advocates, educators.\u00a0 And now, important programs of relief, development, education and advocacy to address the root causes of hunger and poverty will be funded and implemented as planned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We have ambitious financial goals.\u00a0 Could we grow our program to double such annual giving levels?\u00a0 How do we engage the membership of the ELCA to own these efforts and the scope of programs?\u00a0 What is our capacity for the breadth and scope of programs we can support in the U.S. and internationally?<\/p>\n
Articles from recent issues of the Chronicle of Philanthropy<\/em> lack substantive mention about fundraising results of religious-based organizations and philanthropic interests by donors to various denominations.\u00a0 This is likely because results are not large enough, a significant portion of the pie, to attract attention or merit.\u00a0 And yet this omission suggests tremendous opportunities even when it comes to fundraising and stewardship for ELCA World Hunger.\u00a0 Can we change and grow a culture of giving, philanthropy, stewardship and legacy within the church that is not counter to the values of our faith and teachings through scripture?<\/p>\n \u00a0Here are some of the hot topics from the Chronicle:<\/p>\n One of my favorite worldly quotes is by Sir Winston Churchill \u2013 \u201cWe make a living by what we get.\u00a0 We make a life by what we give.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Is it a challenge then, that in a world where philanthropy can make such a strong statement, we can make a life of faith by what we give, and as people of faith, we can give generously of all that God has given us — in a public way and as an example for others?<\/p>\n Here\u2019s to fiscal year 2012 and creating change in our faithful culture through stewardship and philanthropy.\u00a0 AND to our efforts together to support a future in an ecumenical world where hunger and poverty are reduced and all communities thrive!<\/p>\n Sharon Magnuson, Associate Director — ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ELCA World Hunger has had an annual goal of $18,500,000 for fiscal years 2010, 2011 and now 2012.\u00a0 As of January 31, 2012, the completion of fiscal year 2011, we are so excited to report that giving from individuals, congregations, synods and others totaled nearly $19,100,000.\u00a0 It was possible to exceed our\u00a0goal\u00a0thanks to wonderful stewardship, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":177,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2582","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-post"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n