2020
ANNUAL R E P O RT
LE T T ER F R OM T H E
PR E S I D E N T
KRIS SEALE President and CEO Directors Foundation
What an unusual year 2020 has been for philanthropy. Throughout the year, we often prayed Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.” And 2020 was “big trouble” as businesses and charities were forced to adhere to national and state mandates that, at times, completely shut down services. Because of COVID-19, charities were left scrambling to find new ways to serve their constituency, and in many cases, they just weren’t prepared for the necessary changes. As a result, many had to cancel fundraising events, which tremendously hurt their bottom line of providing services. They also had to send staff to work from home with ill-equipped technology, equipment, and supplies. Above all, the greatest challenge each charity faced was living out their mission statement at a socially acceptable distance, utilizing protective gear, and holding ZOOM meetings. The challenges were overwhelming! We’ve seen and heard firsthand how difficult this year has been for the nonprofits we partner with. It has interrupted their ability to provide quality services, and yet, in this pressure-induced season, we also saw God work in mighty ways. One of those ways was seeing nonprofits get creative in their service delivery. We all have a tendency to get stuck in a rut and do the same thing because “it’s worked for years.” This year, in order to continue serving others, nonprofits learned that they had to get creative, adjust the process, cut out excess, and focus on the essentials of their business. Survival was the name of the game!
enabled us to be a small part of a larger community that “supported its own.” We were able to help the nonprofits that fell short of their financial goals due to cancelled events and activities. Additionally, our activity in missions continues to grow. In March, two families received two brand new homes in Costa Rica because 28 volunteers traveled to make it happen. The families were overjoyed with not only the beautiful, spacious homes they received, but the extras that were provided: furniture, linens, kitchen utensils and equipment, and bathroom towels! Our volunteers worked tirelessly, giving up a week of their own vacation time to bless these families! This year’s volunteers were so hardworking, and together, they made a long-held dream come true for two families! But most of all, we were blessed to share the Gospel with those we met, and at the end of our time there, the families understood that the gift they received (a new home!) was from Jesus. Being a part of these types of Directors Foundation experiences keeps me looking forward to future life-changing projects. Being a part of Directors Foundation continues to be an amazing experience. We know 2021 will continue to be challenging, but we also know that God is our refuge and strength. He’s present to help us in times of trouble, and His gift is one that keeps on giving. We’re truly grateful.
There were many unanticipated needs this year, but partnering with the Community Foundation of Abilene
GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH, A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. PS ALM 46:1
BOARD MEMBERS 1
3
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Kris Seale
Te r r i Banniste r Executive Vice President of Learning and Development - FDLIC
2
Addiso n Te mpleton Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer - FDLIC
3
To dd Car lso n Executive Vice President of Sales & Chief Sales Officer - FDLIC
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Lisa Davidso n Principal & Chief Operating Officer - Parkway Advisors
5 Dwayne M cGraw Executive Vice President & Chief Actuary
President & CEO - DIG
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6 Te r r y Gro ban Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - DIG 7 Ro be r t H amil DIG Board Member 8 T he ro n H o lladay President & Chief Executive Officer - Parkway Advisors
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9 Paul Love lace Executive Vice President of Corporate Development - FDLIC 1 0 Dawso n Ro dr iguez Executive Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer - DIG
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1 1 J ef f Stewar t Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer - FDLIC 1 2 Pat Bax te r Volunteer 1 3 N ade ne Smit h Executive Director of Directors Foundation - FDLIC
O U R M IS S ION
STAT EM EN T Directors Foundation’s mission is to be the best, mostrespected partner to like-minded non-profit organizations in order to promote the cause of Christ and be His hands and feet in a lost and hurting world. We invite you to join us by giving a meaningful gift in memory of a loved one, in honor of a role model or mentor, and in the spirit of helping those in need.
THE FUTURE LOOKS
B RIG HT In addition to supporting charities, Directors Foundation launched its sixth mission trip, partnering with Funeral Directors Life and Vital Seed Ministries. 28 volunteers gave their time and expertise to build homes for two families in Liberia, Costa Rica. Construction took three days and over nine months of planning. The completion of two new homes was life-changing for the families chosen. The homes had concrete flooring, electricity, and bathrooms. Additionally, both homes received items the family needed, such as children’s clothing, kitchen items, bedroom furniture, a dining room table, towels, bedding, and an abundance of food! The mission trips hosted by Directors Foundation have made an impact on people, the families served and volunteers alike. We consistently hear incredible testimonies of how participating in a mission trip changes life perspectives. Pat Baxter, a long-term volunteer, stated: “I would usually participate in these mission trips for a few hours at a time. This year, I stayed on the job site the entire three days, and I had no idea the impact these homes have on a family. It’s truly life changing – for me to be a part of this experience and for the families involved!”
2020 money expended
Christian Ministries - $307,000
Youth Sports - $299,996
Children’s Projects - $100,000
Abilene Community - $97,500
School Projects - $64,750
Miscellaneous - $45,930
National Charities - $17,500
TOTAL: $932,676
I LIF T UP MY EYES TO THE MOUNTAINS— WHERE DOES MY HELP COME FROM?
MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD, THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. PSALM 121: 1-2
2020
YEAR IN REVIEW
AYSA Global Samaritan was able to purchase larger equipment, which made working in the expanded warehouses bearable this year!
Abilene Youth Sports Authority conducted a large number of Firm Foundation programs, summer events, camps, tournaments, coaching clinics, and open gym times for the youth in the Big Country and within a 200-mile radius of Abilene. In the summer, they were the only sports organization conducting events since they could social distance and mask-up effectively.
The Abilene Police Foundation was able to meet spousal and family needs in the event of an officer’s death.
1,350 Pregnancy Resources of Abilene (PRA) served 1,350 clients through counseling, pregnancy tests, ultrasound services, educational classes, professional counseling, and/or adoption support. 60 women received counseling, and 40 chose life for their unborn child.
378+ Kids Club provided 378+ kids from 279 families with after-school programming that centered around Jesus, fun, and fellowship.
3,000 In partnership with a local prison ministry, more than 3,000 Christmas care packages were given to prisoners for Christmas.
450 CASA representatives advocated for 450 children because our dollars were used to train 48 new volunteers!
OVER 60 At Hendrick Hospice Care, over 60 uninsured/ underinsured patients and families received financial support for end-of-life care during their stay, and close to 1,000 patients were served with hospice programming.
1,500 Love & Care Ministries helped many hurting and homeless people. Daily, a hundred people got a shower, encouragement, heard the word of God, and/ or received food. In addition, 1,500 kids in the public school didn’t go hungry due to CarePacks they received for weekend eating. These programs are supplemented by Directors Foundation dollars.
Children’s Grief Connection (CGC) held Zoom Grief Camps throughout the year to touch families going through grief due to the loss of a close family member.
Through DIG’s Mission Trip, two deserving families received homes, built by volunteers, in Liberia, Costa Rica.
WH O WE
S U PP O RT Abilene Police Academy Foundation Abilene Youth Sports Authority Alzheimer’s Association Ben Richey Boys Ranch Big Brothers Big Sisters Camp Courage/Club Courage Cancer Services Children’s Grief Connection Community Foundation of Abilene Court Appointed Special Advocates Disability Resources, Inc. Fellowship of Christian Athletes Food Bank of Abilene Global Samaritan Hendrick Home for Children Hendrick Hospice Care
High School and University projects India Christian Missions Kids Club at the Park Kiwanis Club of Abilene Love & Care Ministries Messianic Jewish Missions Middle East Ministries Paramount Theatre Pregnancy Resources of Abilene Project Graduation events Prison Ministries Texas Tech School of Nursing Various Mission Projects Vital Seed Ministries Wylie Bulldogs Education Foundation YMCA
ON G OI N G
G OA LS ACCOUNTABILITY The Directors Foundation website is active and viable and helps keep the foundation accountable by: • • • •
Highlighting partner non-profit organizations in an effort to drive online traffic Publishing Annual Reports Emphasizing service opportunities for mission trips Convening Quarterly Board meetings to discuss finances and funding opportunities, hear impactful stories, and ensure accountability and viability of the Foundation
PARTNERSHIP • •
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We continue to reach out to partner organizations to build a close relationship with their staff. Understanding the vision and heart of the people involved helps us make future funding decisions. Directors Foundation considers the shareholders of Directors Investment Group, Inc. and other key constituents to be important partners and makes intentional efforts to keep them informed through written information in the Directors Investment Group ROI Newsletter, an email tagline about making memorial gifts, and sharing printed copies of the Annual Report. The Giving Tree campaign raises additional awareness of Directors Foundation agencies supported.
6550 Directors Parkway | Abilene, TX 79606 | www.directorsfoundation.org