National Christian Foundation

National Christian Foundation (NCF) is a US non-profit organization that assists donors in donating to charitable causes.[3] NCF is a leader in accepting 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 givers.[2][3] Since 1982, NCF has granted over $11.6 billion to causes and charities.[1][4] The NCF has donated to conservative religious organizations and charities, including some designated as hate groups with ties to people pushing anti-LGBTQ legislation in Uganda and other countries.[5]

National Christian Foundation
Formation1982
FoundersLarry Burkett
Ron Blue
Terry Parker
TypeCharitable giving channel
501(c)(3)
Legal statusNon-profit organization
HeadquartersGreater Atlanta Area
Location
  • 11625 Rainwater Drive, Alpharetta, GA 30009
Coordinates34.063635°N 84.288454°W / 34.063635; -84.288454
Dan Stroud [1]
Jay Bennett
Phil Drake
Katherine Barnhart
Jay Bennett
Lloyd M. Bentson III
Jess Correll
Bob Doll
Phil Drake
James B. "Buck" McCabe
Terry Parker
Kendra VanderMeulen
Affiliations28 NCF affiliates nationwide[2]
Staff
200
Websitewww.ncfgiving.com
NCF headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia

History

In 1982, Evangelical Christian author and entrepreneur Larry Burkett, financial advisor Ron Blue, and tax attorney Terry Parker founded the National Christian Foundation.[6][2][7]

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia,[8] 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.[9] These local offices are community-based and act as liaisons to the national organization.

In 2019, NCF distributed its eleventh billionth grant dollar to more than 63,000 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. Recently, NCF released the ability to monitor account information on mobile devices. Through both platforms, donors can also set annual or lifetime giving goals and read stories or watch videos about donations.[9]

All charitable contributions are donated to NCF, which helps to maximize charitable gifts.

NCF spends a small portion of gifts and earnings to fund the support activities necessary to be able to make those grants.[6] 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).[10]

Criticism

Like other donor-advised funds, there is lack of specificity in the source of the money and their specific target.[11] Between 2015 and 2017, NCF distributed 56.1 million dollars to 23 organizations designated as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center.[12] Most of these organizations opposed LGBT rights, some were anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim.[12]

References
  2. 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
  3. Tax-Smart Philanthropy Made Easy at The Wall Street Journal; by Laura Saunders; published August 22, 2015; retrieved February 18, 2015
  4. 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
  5. https://www.businessinsider.com/chick-fil-a-backlash-as-expands-into-uk-2019-10
  6. Alms Alchemy at Philanthropy Roundtable; by Liz Essley White; retrieved May 20, 2015
  7. A Meteoric Rise at Philanthropy Roundtable; retrieved February 18, 2015
  8. Five Georgia nonprofits rank among nation’s top 25 at Atlanta Business Chronicle; by Maria Saporta; published November 21, 2014; retrieved February 18, 2014
  9. 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
  10. The 200 Largest U.S. Charities at Forbes Magazine; retrieved February 18, 2015
  11. Big Money, Quiet Power: A Look at the National Christian Foundation at Inside Philanthropy; by Philip Rojc; retrieved March 21, 2019
  12. 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
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