Planned Giving and Trust Services Report

It is with deep gratitude that Planned Giving and Trust Services (PGTS) shares this report on its stewardship and progress during the past quadrennium. Through faith and generosity, the department has witnessed remarkable growth, strengthening our investment in the mission of God’s remnant church.

Growth in Planned Giving

Giving USA reported that in 2024, planned giving and bequests in the United States grew by less than 1 percent. Yet, in contrast, our Northeastern Conference family has shown significant increase in financial support beyond their tithe and offerings. Whether through educational forums, personal consultations, and a growing culture of generosity, PGTS has seen an unprecedented surge of interest in legacy gifts.  

In fact, during this period, the Northeastern Conference secured planned gifts totaling $224,000.00, reflecting a growth of more than 100 percent when compared to the previous term. This achievement is a testament not only to the faithfulness of our members but the collective conviction that mission must extend beyond the present moment.

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Strengthening Oversight and Support

To better serve our members, the department established a Trust Management and Acceptance Committee, providing oversight for the wide variety of gift types entrusted by our donors. One of the committee’s key initiatives has been the subsidization of legal costs connected with estate planning, offering encouragement and tangible support to our members as they prepare their legacy gifts with trusted advisors of their choice.

Expanding Opportunities Through Partnership

PGTS also entered an historic Memorandum of Understanding with Western Adventist Foundation—a respected Trust Management Agency. This partnership now allows our conference to offer donors enhanced fiduciary services and a broader range of giving instruments, including:

• Charitable Gift Annuities (CGA’s)
• Charitable Remainder Trusts
• Charitable Remainder Unitrusts
• Donor-Advised Funds  

Moreover, these options ensure that every member has the flexibility and confidence in aligning their legacy with mission priorities irrespective of their stage in life.

Gratitude and Hope

Honorable mention and tribute are extended to my immediate predecessors, Dr. Ferron Francis and Mrs. Leila Rose-Gordon. Their leadership, groundwork, and faithful service paved the way for the advances we now enjoy.

I am equally grateful for the trust of our members who have routinely sought the services of the department toward a preferred future. With God’s blessing, I believe the years ahead will be even more fruitful. And it is my prayer that many more will embrace the joy of sowing today for the harvest of mission tomorrow.

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