National Christian Foundation
National Christian Foundation (NCF) is a US non-profit organization that assists donors in donating to charitable causes.[3] NCF accepts non-cash assets (for example stocks, real estate, and business interests) and is the nation's largest provider of donor-advised funds focused primarily on Christian donors.[2][3] Since 1982, NCF has granted over $14.5 billion to causes and charities.[1][4]
Formation | 1982 |
---|---|
Founders | Larry Burkett Ron Blue Terry Parker |
Type | Charitable giving channel |
501(c)(3) | |
Legal status | Non-profit organization |
Headquarters | Alpharetta, Georgia |
Location |
|
Coordinates | 34.063635°N 84.288454°W |
CEO | Kendra VanderMeulen[1] |
Chair of the board | Jay Bennett |
Vice chair | Phil Drake |
Katherine Barnhart Jay Bennett Lloyd M. Bentson III Jess Correll Bob Doll Phil Drake James B. "Buck" McCabe Terry Parker | |
Affiliations | 28 NCF affiliates nationwide[2] |
Staff | 200 |
Website | www |
History
In 1982, Evangelical Christian author and entrepreneur Larry Burkett, financial advisor Ron Blue, and tax attorney Terry Parker founded the National Christian Foundation.[5][2][6]
Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, NCF began adding local offices throughout the United States in 2000. By 2018, NCF reported having 28 local offices in cities across the country, including Dallas, Orlando, Chicago, and Seattle.[7] These local offices are community-based and act as liaisons to the national organization.
In 2021, NCF distributed its fourteen bbillionant dollars to more than 71,000 charities since its founding.[4] This accomplishment has led it to be ranked as the 6th largest non-profit organization in the United States.[1]
Program
NCF's primary operation, the Giving Fund (donor-advised fund), works like a charitable savings account.[3] Via an online dashboard, donors give various assets into the Fund, receive a tax deduction at the time of the gift, and recommend grants to their favorite charities. NCF accepts non-cash gifts such as stocks, real estate, and business interests. They also offer other giving options, such as Charitable Gift Annuities and the NCF Legacy Fund.
NCF spends a portion of donations to fund the support activities necessary to be able to make those grants.[5] NCF calculates the amount as a percentage of the donor's Fund balance (typically 1% or less each year), and, in the case of non-cash assets, a percentage of gift value (typically 5%, one time).[8]
Criticism
Similar to other donor-advised funds, there is a noticeable lack of specificity in the source of the money and their specific target.[9] Between 2015 and 2017, NCF distributed 56.1 million dollars to 23 organizations designated as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center.[10] Most of these organizations opposed LGBT rights, some were anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim.[10]
References
- "Welcome Kendra VenderMeulen, NCF's national CEO!".
- Tebow-affiliated National Christian Foundation opens office in Jacksonville at The Florida Times-Union; by Beth Cravey; published December 5, 2014; retrieved February 18, 2015
- Tax-Smart Philanthropy Made Easy at The Wall Street Journal; by Laura Saunders; published August 22, 2015; retrieved February 18, 2015
- National Christian Foundation gifts historic Dwight L. Moody property to Catholic and Protestant groups at Religion News; published February 7, 2017; retrieved March 22, 2017
- Alms Alchemy at Philanthropy Roundtable; by Liz Essley White; retrieved May 20, 2015
- A Meteoric Rise at Philanthropy Roundtable; retrieved February 18, 2015
- 20 Biggest Grant Making Foundations for Christian Organizations at The Christian Post; by Dr. Jeffrey J. Rodman; published January 27, 2010; retrieved February 18, 2015
- The 200 Largest U.S. Charities at Forbes Magazine; retrieved February 18, 2015
- Big Money, Quiet Power: A Look at the National Christian Foundation at Inside Philanthropy; by Philip Rojc; retrieved March 21, 2019
- U.S.'s Biggest Christian Charity Reportedly Channeled $56.1 Million to Purported Hate Groups at Newsweek by Daniel Moritz-Rabson; retrieved March 21, 2019