Directors Foundation Annual Report 2022

ANNUAL REPORT

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

Matthew 25:40

Letter From THE PRESIDENT

It’s a great practice to look back on the accomplishments of the year, keeping in mind that “we are the body of Christ, and everyone is a part of it.” Together with God, amazing things can happen! This was a year of getting back to normal. Charities weren’t concerned about government mandates or program closings, allowing them to provide more services, which led to changed lives. The great work our partner charities performed daily was inspiring!

Two big highlights of the year showcased the goodness of God as He worked through Directors Foundation (DF).

First, due to excellent financial management, DF was excited to make a large, lead donation to an expansion project at Abilene Youth Sports Authority. The expansion is a key, strategic move to reach more kids with the gospel, using sports as a primary tool of education.

Second, as part of DF’s missions outreach, four families in two different countries received new homes, built by dedicated volunteers. In fact, in the eight years since DF’s inception, 14 homes have been built for families who were previously living on dirt floors! With

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their concrete slabs, windows, doors, running water, electricity, and roofs, these homes are changing the trajectory of generations. Hope is restoring people’s lives, and helping others in such a powerful way touches the heart of God (Matthew 25:40).

DF focuses on loving people by meeting individual needs - spiritually, physically, and emotionally. With the support of Directors Investment Group and our many individual donors, we continue to thrive. We thank God frequently for His favor and continually ask for guidance in stewarding money, time, and talents well.

L-E-O,

KRIS SEALE President and CEO Directors Foundation

are the body of Christ, and each one

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.

of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27

MISSION PROJECT highlight

Mexico & Costa Rica

“I love seeing the smiles on these kiddoes’ faces. It’s so rewarding and worth all this hard work!”

“I’ve never done anything like this. What a blast, meeting new people and helping others!”

Hosting two separate mission trips in 2022 was incredible!

We are living out Matthew 25:40: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” In the spring, the eighth mission trip launched in Cabo, Mexico. Our team of over 125 volunteers built homes for two families: the Tolentino Mejia family (parents and one daughter) and the Gutierrez Chino family (parents and three children). The entire experience was life-giving, and it gave us pure joy to get to know these gracious families.

Later in the year, we launched our ninth mission trip by partnering with Funeral Directors Life, Vital Seed Ministries, and Youth with a Mission (YWAM). Dedicated volunteers gave their time and hearts to build homes for two families in Liberia, Costa Rica. Construction took a record 2.5 days! At the end, the Umana Reina family (parents, four children, and a grandchild) and the Contreras Noguera family (single mom with six children) received homes. Because we’ve worked in this area before, families from previous builds showed up to help us bless these two families.

I love that this family is helping us build their home.”

The camaraderie was inspiring and allowed us to accomplish a lot of productive work physically and spiritually. Everyone was overjoyed and filled with such gratitude!

After each of the two builds, we furnished each home with beds and linens, bathroom supplies, a dining room table and chairs, dishes, and kitchen appliances and furnishings. Volunteers bought additional items for each family, such as vegetable seeds, toys, curtains, and more. DF also took the families shopping for food and clothing, including shoes and school outfits. On the last day, we came together for a ceremony to honor each family and presented them with a family Bible. This over the top, 3-day experience transformed houses into homes and made the work and sacrifice worth it!

The mission trips hosted by DF continue to make an impact on people who have little resources and hope. We consistently hear incredible testimonies of how participating in a mission trip positively changes life perspectives!

“I need to bring my kids on a mission trip so they can see the joy on these families’ faces. These families don’t have much, but they have joy!”

“Who knew people lived so poorly?

Mission Trip Volunteer Spotlight

Alvino Sanchez

It’s a surprise to no one that the man with the biggest smile around the Directors Investment Group (DIG) Home Office also has one of the biggest hearts for service. As a young boy raised by a single mother, Alvino Sanchez saw firsthand the impact of generosity, being on the receiving end. This perspective gave him motivation as he matured, saying to himself,

Alvino is always quick to point out that giving doesn’t have to be financial. He completely agrees with DIG’s “mind, body, soul” philosophy, and he uses it to focus his generosity. From being generous with his time through the Hands and Feet ministry, to being generous with his compliments to co-workers, and even bringing his daughters to volunteer opportunities, Alvino always finds a way to give more than he takes.

One way Alvino gives back is through the Costa Rica mission trip. As a child, one of his teachers told him that if he wanted to know how good he had it, he should visit a third world country. Visiting Costa Rica reminded him how much God had blessed him and allowed him to serve others.

On his most recent trip, he closely connected with one of the family fathers. Alvino’s ability to speak Spanish made it easier to encourage the father’s involvement in the build, and at the end of the week, the father told Alvino he looked forward to seeing him next year!

Ultimately, Alvino knows that while it is great to receive, it’s even better to give. He likes to say that “giving is his happiness,” and he encourages everyone to get involved or serve in some way.

“I may not be able to pay back all the people who helped me, but I’m going to do what I can to help someone else.”

HEBREWS 10:24-25

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Mission Trip Volunteer Spotlight

Dercks Family

Paul Dercks’ connection to service began in his childhood, and when he joined Directors Investment Group (DIG), that attitude was encouraged. The company focuses on Christian generosity and service, continually asking,

shooting hoops with the local people. When Paul realized his heart for service had been passed along to his children, he was overcome by emotion. In that moment, he again found himself asking the question, “What more can I do?” As he pondered, he noticed there was nowhere to actually play basketball, and God prompted him to donate funds for a court. He soon found out that local church members had been specifically interceding for a basketball court!

Taking this company philsophy to heart, Paul reflected on what more HE personally could do.

Paul decided to join the annual Costa Rica mission trip. But he didn’t stop there—he brought his wife (Kelli) and three kids (Bennett, Emi, and Davis), too. He figured the trip would serve as a familybuilding opportunity to deepen their relationships with each other.

On the third Costa Rica mission trip they attended, his kids brought a few extra supplies. They packed basketballs and a rim in hopes of

The next year, the Dercks family returned to Costa Rica and celebrated the court’s completion. During the dedication ceremony, Paul was asked to take the first shot on the court, but before he could, Bennett stole the ball and dunked it! While this was a funny moment, it was also representative of the Dercks family’s approach to service: Paul leading the charge and “teeing” his kids up to do even greater things. Among these “greater things” is Bennett’s dedication to the trip itself. A freshman in college, Bennett sees the value of service and attends the trip on his own initiative.

“What more can we do?”

Give thanks for this is the Will of God.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18

2022 YEAR IN REVIEW

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

DF supported “Big and Little” matches that will serve hundreds of children.

ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

The Laynay Scholarhsip helps students attending ACU. Not only was this scholarship supported by DF, but a Directors Investment Scholarship was birthed to help students with financial support.

PREGNANCY RESOURCES OF ABILENE (PRA)

1,600 clients benefited from counseling, pregnancy tests, ultrasound services, educational classes, professional counseling, and/or adoption support. 45 babies lived because their mothers chose life for them!

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ABILENE

DF funding helped launch a successful “Day of Giving” in 2022. This 24-hour donation day spotlighted charities in and around the Big Country and over $2 million was raised!

JEWISH MISSIONS

DF supported the Beit Hallel Congregation, a Messianic Jewish congregation in Ashdod, Israel, serving Holocaust survivors as well as the poor and needy. The funds went to support a building project.

ABILENE POLICE FOUNDATION

This non-profit exists to support Abilene police officers and their families with resources and support not offered within their organization. With DF assistance, facility upgrades were made, an officer was supported when his family member committed suicide, and another officer’s family was supported through a complicated pregnancy.

ABILENE HERITAGE SQUARE PROJECT

This is a new renovation project at the heart of Abilene that will be a local draw for learning, teaching, meetings, and community gatherings. In 2022, DF made the second of three yearly payments in support of the project.

FOUR DESERVING FAMILIES

received homes built by volunteers in Liberia, Costa Rica, and Cabo, Mexico

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3,000+ C HRISTMAS CARE PACKAGES

were given to prisoners.

KIDS CLUB

Over 660 children received after-school and summer programming that centers around Jesus, fun, and fellowship.

ABILENE YOUTH SPORTS AUTHORITY

AYSA conducted a large number of Firm Foundation programs, summer events, camps, tournaments, coaching clinics, late night basketball leagues, and open gym times for the youth in the Big Country. They are promoting a new sport league, Futsal, and launching a funding campaign to build outside fields for football, soccer, and volleyball.

HENDRICK HOSPICE CARE

Over 55 uninsured/under-insured patients and families received financial support for end-of-life care during their stay, and close to 1,300 patients received hospice programming they couldn’t afford.

LOVE AND CARE MINISTRIES

Over 600 homeless and hurting people received daily services through HIS Food Pantry, HIS Dining Room, HIS Clothing, and HIS Quiet Place. Also, 57,000 CarePacks were assembled and shared with students who needed weekend food for nourishment.

GLOBAL SAMARITAN

This organization provides Christian humanitarian aid to people in crisis locally and around the world. DF dollars responded to the Ukraine crisis and helped the organization upgrade warehouse lighting and install security cameras.

DREAMING BIG WITH AYSA

For years, participating in youth sports, including quality competitions, facilities, and experiences, meant traveling outside of Abilene. But travel expenses, equipment costs, and tournament fees left quality youth sports out of reach for many families.

That’s why Directors Foundation is proud to support Abilene Youth Sports Authority (AYSA)!

We believe that youth sports isn’t about the trophies, competition, or even winning; it’s about the lessons that sports teaches: leadership, teamwork, and perseverance.

Since AYSA’s opening in 2020, we’ve seen the impact of youth sports for the community of Abilene.

What’s the next step as AYSA looks to expand its influence?

It starts with new fields. 10 in fact. The planned state-of-the-art field complex will be versatile enough to be used for everything from soccer to football, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, and more!

To help AYSA toward accomplishing this vision, Directors Foundation has already given a large, lead donation in 2022. But there’s more work to be done and funds to raise. Our goal for 2023 is to help AYSA raise $24.86 million for the new 29-acre field expansion and a new facility that will accommodate concessions, meeting rooms, huddle spots, a celebration station, a hydration station, and even an indoor playground for little brothers and sisters to enjoy.

AYSA’s vision to engage, equip, and empower coaches, parents, and young athletes to unite, inspire, and change the world through sports and Christian principles aligns with the heart of Directors Foundation. We are proud and excited to be a part of this incredible initiative!

SINCE IT’S INCEPTION:

28 TOURNAMENTS HELD

50,000+ VISITORS HOSTED

7,000 PARTICIPANTS

56 CAMPS HELD

If you’d like to learn more about how to become involved with AYSA’s vision for the future of Big Country youth sports, contact Ron Clyde at ron.clyde@funeraldirectorslife.com.

DIRECTORS FOUNDATION IS...

GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD MEMBERS

1 Nadene Smith Executive Director of Directors Foundation

2 Addison Templeton Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer - DIG

3 Todd Carlson Executive Vice President of Sales & Chief Sales Officer - DIG

4 Lisa Davidson Vice President & Chief Operating Officer - Parkway Advisors

5 Dwayne McGraw Executive Vice President & Chief Actuary - DIG

6 Terry Groban Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - DIG

7 Terri Bannister Executive Vice President & Chief Learning Officer - DIG

8 Theron Holladay President & Chief Executive Officer - Parkway Advisors

9 Paul Lovelace Executive Vice President of Corporate Development - DIG

10 Dawson Rodriguez Executive Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer - DIG

11 Jeff Stewart Executive Vice President & Chief Culture Officer - DIG

12 Robert Hamil DIG Board Member

13 Pat Baxter Volunteer

who we SUPPORTED

Abilene Christian University

Abilene Heritage Square Project

Abilene Philharmonic

Abilene Police Academy Foundation

Abilene Youth Sports Authority

Alzheimer’s Association

Ben Richey Boys Ranch

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Camp Able of Buffalo Gap

Camp Courage/Club Courage

Cancer Services

Community Foundation of Abilene

Court Appointed Special Advocates

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Global Samaritan

Hardin-Simmons University

Healing Hearts Connection

Hendrick Home for Children

Hendrick Hospice Care

India Christian Missions

Kairos Prison Ministry

Kids Club at the Park

Love and Care Ministries

Messianic Jewish Missions

Middle East Ministries

Noah Project

Paramount Theatre

Pregnancy Resources of Abilene

Prison Ministries

Stillwater Church

Youth for Christ

Various Mission Projects

Vital Seeds Ministry

Wylie Bulldogs Education Foundation

YMCA

WHO WE ARE

SERVICE ORIENTED

• Conducts mission trips

• Highlights partner non-profit organizations on website

VALUES PARTNERSHIP

• 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.

INVITES OTHERS TO MAKE AN IMPACT THROUGH GIVING

• Provides an opportunity to give with The Giving Tree campaign, which raises additional awareness of DF agencies supported

• Educates others on memorial gifting opportunities