DF_Annual Report 2025_single-pages

REPORT

WITH PURPOSE ANNUAL

OUR MISSION STATEMENT Directors Foundation’s mission is to be the best, most-respected 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.

LETTER FROM

THE PRE S I DEN T here are so many needs in our community, state, nation, and around the world. At times, it can feel overwhelming to decide where to start and how to make a difference.

As I pondered this thought, Matthew 25:35-40 came to mind. It reads, “For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink…

Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

These words reminded me that no matter what needs are in front of us, by helping the “least of these,” we’re fulfilling a greater purpose at Directors Foundation.

As I look back on 2025, I am filled with gratitude for what Directors Foundation accomplished. This past year reminded me that great opportunities and solutions surround us every day—often revealed when we choose to serve, to listen, and to act with purpose.

Over the past 12 months, Directors Foundation has helped agencies minister to the flood victims of the Texas Hill Country, built three homes for deserving families in Costa Rica, established a support fund in the funeral profession, provided volunteers for life-changing projects, supported people going on mission trips at home and abroad, offered

skills and life training to youth involved in sports, introduced young people and coaches to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the list goes on! Whether responding to immediate needs or investing in longterm solutions, Directors Foundation has focused on creating impact that honors both our values and our mission for over a decade. It is both inspiring and humbling to see the Foundation grow exponentially to serve more people than ever before!

As Directors Foundation looks ahead to the coming year, we do so with confidence and hope. Scripture tells us this: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3).

Every day, we will commit our plans to the Lord. And when the opportunities before us are many, God will establish our plans and provide solutions as we continue to work alongside like-minded charities with purpose, faith, integrity, and compassion.

KRI S SEALE President & CEO Directors Foundation

–GEORGE H. W. BUSH

“There could be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others.”

B OA RD OF DIRECTORS

Kris Seale President & CEO Directors Investment Group

Todd Carlson EVP of Sales & Chief Sales Officer Funeral Directors Life Directors Investment Group

Terry Groban EVP & Chief Financial Officer Directors Investment Group

Drew Seale EVP & Chief Marketing Officer Funeral Directors Life Directors Investment Group

Theron Holladay President & Chief Executive Officer Parkway Advisors

Pat Baxter Advocate Directors Foundation

Paul Lovelace EVP of Corporate Development Funeral Directors Life Directors Investment Group

Dawson Rodriguez EVP & Chief Information Security Officer Directors Investment Group

Lisa Davidson Principal & Chief Operating Officer Parkway Advisors

Jeff Stewart EVP & Chief Culture Officer Funeral Directors Life Directors Investment Group

Addison Templeton EVP & Chief Operations Officer Funeral Directors Life Directors Investment Group

Robert Hamil Board Member Directors Investment Group

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make straight your paths.”

Nadene Smith Executive Director of Directors Foundation Funeral Directors Life

PROVERBS 3:5-6

M IS S ION PRO J EC T H IGH LIGH TS

D

uring summers of extreme heat and winters where the wind chill rips right through you, aren’t you grateful for a home that keeps you comfortable and safe? Over the years, Directors Foundation (DF) has helped 19 families achieve this same level of comfort, and it has been such a fun journey! In 2025, over 38 volunteers worked hard to build three homes in Costa Rica for the Potosme-Reyes, Garcia-Rodriguez, and Moraga-Rodriguez families.

P O T O S M E - R E Y E S F A M I LY The Potosme-Reyes family (Carlos, Fátima, and their three children, Emely, Victor, and Karlita) lives next door to extended family members, and together, they all care for and help raise the children while the parents find meaningful work.

During the build process, the mother and children of the Potosme-Reyes family worked alongside DF volunteers to complete their new home, helping paint, clean, and nail boards.

At the Key Ceremony (when the family receives the key after the home is complete), the mother gathered the volunteers who worked on her home to tell them that she had never owned a home before. She told us her dad had come to Costa Rica decades earlier, found a tiny piece of land, and tried to develop it to the best of his ability. But the home we built her family would have “never happened without us, the money it took to build it, the tools, everything!” She was overwhelmed and thanked each person for their contributions. She really couldn’t believe the quality of the structure, that it had 2 bedrooms, that there was a roof that wouldn’t leak, or that there were two windows and a front door that could be locked!

Volunteer Caitlin Bela said, “What really stuck out to me was the fact that the family said they truly felt the love of God through the hard work that we provided them. And to me, while it was hard work, it wasn’t impossible work, and it meant everything to this family!”

“The family said they truly felt the love of God.” –CAITLIN BELA

THE GARCIA-RODRIGUEZ F A M I LY The second family we had the honor to build a home for was the Garcia-Rodriguez family, which consisted of a single mom, Guisell, her son Cristhian, and her daughter Ana. Arthur Martinez, a volunteer for the past two years, was struck by the level of poverty the family experienced.

He, along with his wife and son (who also volunteered), all gained such an appreciation for the blessings in their own lives and knew their time spent with the Garcia-Rodriguez family made a huge impact! Arthur said, “The Key Ceremony, where the family truly owns the house and can even lock the doors, is so powerful!” In fact, the Key Ceremony was one of Arthur’s favorite moments because his son became emotional, and the experience had a big impact on his young heart.

At the same build, Cristal Iris, a first-time volunteer, said the trip was inspiring and a lesson in thankfulness. She added, “What the family had was so little, but they didn’t focus on what they lacked. They were happy people. They were so thankful for each room in the house, each wall, door, and piece of furniture. Each item gave them more hope for a brighter future!” And Celeste Alvarado, another first-time volunteer, noted how she felt a strong connection to the single mom.

She said, “We both had teenage sons the same age, and it reminded me of God’s amazing ability to unite families across cultures and nations through shared experiences!”

THE MORAGA-RODRIGUEZ F A M I LY And finally, we were able to provide a home for the Moraga-Rodriguez family. This family of five (Misael, Wendolyn, and their three children, Hazel, Dilan, and Britanny) was so engaged in the process and a big help with many of the building tasks.

They were joyful, eager to make a difference, and destined to make a painting mess! Alvino Sanchez, a long-time volunteer with the mission team, said his favorite moment was “seeing the children and the family gather around their new dining table, enjoying lunch. It was amazing to know that they had a home where there was room for the entire family to sit together and break bread.”

For first-time volunteers Joel and Hope Pond, the experience had a long-reaching impact. After returning to the United States, the Ponds felt called to be more generous in every aspect of their lives. Joel said, “Going to Costa Rica and spending time with people truly living in poverty was eyeopening. The families and people we met were so kind. The experience was fulfilling and joyful.”

What an incredible mission trip, serving three families! And it wouldn’t have been possible without our long-term mission partners, Vital Seed Ministries (which provides the direction and planning) and Youth With A Mission (which provides the tools and expertise). With their partnership, DF was able to live out its motto: “Changing people’s lives; one family at a time.”

“The families and people we met were so kind. The experience was fulfilling and joyful.”

– JO E L & HO PE P O ND

SCOTT BUTLER

VOLUN T EER S P OTLIGH T

nyone who has been on a mission trip recently has probably met the Butlers! Their family has taken part in at least five trips with Directors Foundation. For Scott, his wife Saleena, and their kids, Emma and Evan, a passion for helping others has become a part of their testimony.

A few years ago, the Butlers helped with the home build for the Ruiz family, where Evan and the Ruiz family’s son, Sebastian, first met. They’ve kept in touch over the years, and the two boys worked side by side again on the 2025 trip!

Reflecting on this experience, Scott says the most incredible part is “the willingness of the family to donate their time and effort in order to help us build a house for another family.”

This ongoing connection extends beyond the trips themselves. The families support each other yearround, with the Butlers meeting needs from afar, providing a stove and mixer that encouraged the Ruiz family’s mother to start a baking business.

Looking back on the 2025 mission trip, Scott believes it showed the community what it means to receive help with no strings attached. He shares, “The tears of joy of both the participants and the families we serve are physical signs of God’s work on our hearts.”

The Butler family’s motivation for returning to Costa Rica each year is rooted not only in a desire to make a difference and grow God’s kingdom but also in the joy of reconnecting with friends and working together as a family.

MARY BETH HENSLEY

VOLUN T EER S P OTLIGH T

hen Mary Beth Hensley isn’t overseeing the Customer Care team, she’s spearheading the latest Simply Hands and Feet project here in Abilene or serving on the annual mission trip to Costa Rica.

She has been to Costa Rica five times, and 2026 will be her sixth. As the first-chair organizer of the Costa Rica mission trip, she spends a lot of time planning logistics. From interest meetings to working with Tony Delrio at Youth With A Mission, Mary Beth ensures that every trip is successful!

Mary Beth said, “It’s very exciting to see interest grow and to share the impact of what we’ve done in past years.”

Going to Costa Rica is meaningful for her because of the blessing she receives from serving each family. It’s a privilege for her to help build homes alongside the families who will live in them. With every trip she takes, Mary Beth witnesses the joy and friendship that builds between the DIG crew and the family receiving a home. Partnering with the family means not only providing them with a home and furniture but also giving back to the communities of Costa Rica.

As Mary Beth works on each house, she is reminded of Isaiah 6:8, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send?

And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”

ISAIAH 6:8

–BEN CARSON

“Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give.”

MONE Y E XPENDED CHILDREN’S PROJECTS:

$125,000

YOUTH SPORTS:

$1,170,000

CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES:

$494,971

SCHOOL PROJECTS:

$126,000

NATIONAL CHARITIES:

$70,000

COMMUNITY PROJECTS:

$559,000

MISCELLANEOUS:

$37,450

TOTAL: $2,582,421

Y E A R IN RE V IE W

ABILENE YOUTH SPORTS AUTHORITY AYSA continued to offer sports programming to hundreds of youths and adults within a 220-mile radius of Abilene. In 2025, they completed the soccer/football fields that Directors Foundation helped fund, and upon grand opening, over 1,400 kids enrolled in soccer leagues. The ROC (Recreation Outdoor Complex) is near completion!

ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY DF supported students and faculty through the DIG Study Abroad Scholarship, the DIG Endowed Scholarship, and the College of Business Administration.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS DF supported hundreds of “Big and Little” matches that “build and support one-on-one relationships to ignite the biggest possible future for youth.”

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ABILENE DF helped launch a successful “Day of Giving” to raise funds for local non-profits. This event spotlighted charities and their needs in and around the Big Country and raised over $2 million in 24 hours!

HEALING HEARTS CONNECTION Healing Hearts Connection serves children, teenagers, young adults, and adults experiencing the loss of a loved one. DF dollars helped this organization conduct two annual grief camps.

HENDRICK HOME FOR CHILDREN DF contributed to scholarships extended to young people continuing their education beyond high school.

INDIA CHRISTIAN MISSIONS DF supported the “Blessings Fund” to help the disadvantaged with education, job orientation training, and medical assistance. The fund also supports widows and their needs. On top of that, DF provided financial assistance for the construction of a small village church.

KIDS CLUB AT THE PARK DF helped over 780 children from needy families cover the cost of after-school & summer programming that centers around Jesus, fun, and fellowship.

MESSIANIC JEWISH MISSIONS In partnership with the Beit Hallel Ashdod Congregation in Israel, DF provided support for people who were displaced due to the escalating war.

VARIOUS MISSION PROJECTS Three deserving families in Costa Rica received homes built by volunteers. Additionally, 3,000+ Christmas care packages were delivered to prisoners in 2025.

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.”

PSALM 82:3

S UPP ORT ED AGENCIE S A ND PROGRA M S

Abilene Chamber Foundation

Beltway Park Church

Abilene Christian University

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Abilene Youth Sports Authority

Camp Able of Buffalo Gap

Abilene Zoological Society Alive Church All Kind Animal Initiative Alzheimer’s Association Back the Badge Foundation

Ministries

Camp Courage/Club Courage Cancer Services Network Community Foundation of Abilene Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

“The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others.”

–ALBERT SCHWEITZER

Dyess and Abilene

Funeral Service Foundation

Hendrick Hospice Care

Global Samaritan

India Christian Missions

East Davidson High School

Habitat for Humanity

Kids Club at the Park

Fellowship of Christian

Hardin-Simmons University

Love and Care Ministries

Athletes

Healing Hearts Connection

Meals on Wheels

Food Bank of Abilene

Hendrick Home for Children

Messianic Jewish Missions

Children’s Theatre

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 PETER 4:10

MORE SUPPORTED AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS Middle East Christian Ministries New Horizons Noah Project Pregnancy Resources of Abilene Presbyterian Medical Care Mission

San Diego Foundation The Salvation Army Steps Recovery Center

Treehouse Safe Exchange and Training Center Various Mission Projects

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Vital Seed Ministries

Timothy International

Foundation

Wylie Bulldogs Education

• Sponsors, organizes, and works mission trips • Highlights partner non-profit organizations on its website • Extends money for projects helping people in need

VALUES PARTNERSHIPS: • 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.

RAISES AWARENESS THROUGH: • The Giving Tree campaign, which highlights the charities and causes Directors Foundation supports • Memorial gifting opportunities

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. Checks and cash are accepted.

ATTN: Nadene Smith Directors Foundation 6550 Directors Parkway Abilene, TX 79606

WITH PURPOSE

IS SERVICE ORIENTED:

“‘F O R I W A S H U N G R Y and you gave me food, I W A S T H I R S T Y and you gave me drink, I W A S A S T R A N G E R and you welcomed me, I W A S N A K E D and you clothed me, I W A S S I C K and you visited me, I W A S I N P R I S O N and you came to me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

MATTHEW 25:35-40