Legacy of Faith — Adventist Trust Services and Planned Giving Effectiveness
“How do Adventist trust services and planned giving programs compare in effectiveness across conferences?”
Executive Summary
Adventist Planned Giving & Trust Services (PGTS) represents one of the denomination's most significant but least discussed financial engines. Operating for over 50 years since 1968, PGTS has channelled over $2.64 billion in cumulative gifts worldwide, with $487.5 million in realized bequests between 2020 and 2023 alone. This four-year figure — nearly half a billion dollars — exceeds the total annual tithe of most individual divisions. Yet effectiveness varies dramatically across conferences, driven by factors including pastoral engagement, director expertise, member demographics, and cultural attitudes toward estate planning. This LRP examines the programme's structure, impact, and the largely unexamined question of cross-conference effectiveness.
Key Findings
Adventist Planned Giving & Trust Services has channeled over $2.64 billion in cumulative gifts worldwide since its inception in 1968.
Realized bequests totaled $487.5 million between 2020 and 2023, a figure that exceeds the total annual tithe of most individual divisions.
Program effectiveness varies dramatically across conferences due to differences in pastoral engagement and director expertise.
Member demographics and cultural attitudes toward estate planning significantly influence the success of planned giving initiatives.
Pastoral engagement is a primary driver of variance in trust service effectiveness across different conferences.
Quality Breakdown
References
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