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= Dallas Seminary Foundation =

The Dallas Seminary Foundation (DSF) was established as a nonprofit corporation on July 9, 1987, for the purpose of promoting and furthering the purposes of Dallas Theological Seminary. As stated in the Foundation’s Articles of Incorporation, the Foundation’s support is carried out by: educating laymen on the religious purposes and work of the Seminary in order to expand and improve its ministry; soliciting funds to be used in carrying out the purposes of the Seminary through the provision of planned giving services; assisting other religious organizations, which are served by Seminary alumni, in developing strategies for expanding and improving their own ministries; and providing the expertise of planned giving services to such organizations’ constituents to help generate the funds necessary to accomplish these goals.

History
John D. Hannah writes of the establishment of the Dallas Seminary Foundation in his book An Uncommon Union: Dallas Theological Seminary and American Evangelicalism. Hannah explains that the double-digit recession of the late 1970s and early 1980s led to a reduction in gifts that constituted nearly half of the seminary’s support. One response recommended tightening the budget; another suggested increasing fund-raising efforts: "In addition to restricting budgetary expenditures, the seminary accelerated its fund-raising attempts. The school administration responded to the crisis by increasing donor awareness of the school’s needs and more directly soliciting support. Efforts of the advancement department were increased, and the Dallas Seminary Foundation was established to facilitate deferred giving, trusts, and estate planning in 1987, with financial planners dividing the country into four regions to coordinate efforts."

Mission, Values, and Vision
On October 22, 2013, the Foundation clarified its mission statement:

To support Dallas Theological Seminary by offering charitable planned giving and other financial services to friends of the seminary.

Values and Vision
On July 22, 2020, the Foundation defined its values and laid out its vision:

Values
I. God


 * 1) God’s Providence—The source of our provisionUnless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.  (Psalm 127:1 NKJV)
 * 2) God’s Word—The guide for all we doAll Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  (2 Timothy 3:16–17 NIV)
 * 3) God’s Mission—The duty of every believerSteve Golding Chapel.jpgTherefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  (Matthew 28:19–20 NIV)

II. People


 * 1) The Friends We ServeCommand those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.(1 Timothy 6:17–19 NIV)
 * 2) The Team God Has AssembledNow you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.(1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV)
 * 3) The Seminary We Support  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.   (2 Timothy 2:2 NIV)

III. Work


 * 1) Work That Is Ministry—Our objective is to serveNot that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.  (Philippians 4:17 NIV)
 * 2) Work That Is Disciplined—Our aim is to excelWhatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters ... It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  (Colossians 3:23–24 NIV)
 * 3) Work That Is Joyful—Our privilege is to live abundantlyI have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  (John 10:10b NIV)

Vision
The Foundation aspires to effectively communicate its services to every DTS friend and supporter in order to facilitate a lifestyle of generosity, resulting in eternal blessing to the donor, bountiful funding of God’s work, and abundant praise to God.

Services
Dallas Seminary Foundation offers charitable planned giving and other financial services to friends of the seminary. These tools and services include:


 * Estate Design Service
 * Charitable Gift Annuities
 * Charitable Remainder Trusts
 * Gifts of Appreciated Assets
 * Gifts of Business Interests
 * Donor Advised Funds
 * Term and Endowed Named Scholarships