Investing. Growing. Giving.
A LEGACY OF FAITHFUL GIVING: MY JOURNEY WITH THE FULLER FOUNDATION
By Bob Ceremsak, Board Chair, The Fuller Foundation
For over 20 years, my wife Kathy and I have been honored to support Fuller, but our connection to the seminary’s mission goes back even further. I first encountered Fuller through Young Life in my home state of Colorado, where so many of the leaders who shaped my faith had been trained at Fuller. Later, as friends from college pursued their graduate degrees there, I saw firsthand the seminary’s deep impact on the church and the world.
My involvement took a new step when I joined the board of The Fuller Foundation in 2002. It was an opportunity to bring my
background in banking and accounting to an organization that is helping families like mine align their faith and financial goals. Through the foundation, Kathy and I have been able to maximize our giving with a donor - advised fund. The foundation also provides investment management services and estate planning support, offering valuable resources for those looking to align their financial and philanthropic goals.
The ability to give strategically, in a way that reflects our values and furthers the mission of Fuller, has been a blessing. That’s why I feel it’s so important to give back—not just through our charitable giving, but also by serving on the foundation’s board. I’ve seen the impact of the foundation’s services, both for Fuller Seminary and for so many individuals and families who want to integrate their faith with their financial decisions. If that’s something you’re considering, I encourage you to explore how The Fuller Foundation can help you steward your resources for kingdom impact.
Bob and Kathy Ceremsak with their grandson, Ethan
The Fuller Foundation | Fall 2025
Giving Made Easy
Learn more about the benefits of creating a TFF DAF. Scan the QR code below or return the enclosed reply card today to get your free copy of One-Stop Giving: TFF Donor-Advised Fund.
SIMPLE. PURPOSEFUL. IMPACTFUL.
When it comes to generosity, you want to give wisely—at the right time, to the causes that matter most to you. A donor-advised fund (DAF) with The Fuller Foundation helps you do just that.
A TFF DAF works like a giving account with purpose. You make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax benefit, and then recommend grants to the ministries and nonprofits you love—on your timeline.
Whether you want to support your church, Fuller Seminary, or other kingdom-focused organizations, a TFF DAF gives you the flexibility to make a gift when you're ready, allowing your fund to grow over time to increase your impact. You can even involve your family, creating a meaningful legacy of faith-filled generosity.
Ready to align your DAF with your charitable goals AND your faith? Scan the QR code today to create a DAF with The Fuller Foundation.
GRATEFUL FOR FULLER’S LIFELONG IMPACT
By Dennis D. Nelson, Fuller alum
I received two degrees from Fuller Seminary—an MDiv in 1972 and a DMin in 2003. As a retired ELCA pastor and now executive director of Lutheran CORE, a pan-Lutheran renewal movement, I continue to draw deeply from my Fuller education. I chose Fuller because of its outstanding reputation for academic excellence, passion for ministry, and steadfast commitment to the authority of Scripture. Fuller equipped me not only with a strong foundation in biblical knowledge, but also with the cross-cultural awareness and theological depth needed to serve in a multi- ethnic and ever-changing world.
Early 1970s Southern California was very different from the world of my upbringing. Fuller helped me bridge that gap and prepared me for effective, compassionate ministry. Even today, the Bible studies I lead reflect the teaching I received at Fuller. Later, through auditing additional DMin courses, I further enhanced my leadership skills and confidence.
The gift of financial support was vital for my journey. During my second year, I was awarded a full tuition scholarship from Lilly Endowment Inc. and received additional
support from the congregation where I had interned. Because of that generosity, I was able to begin ministry without the burden of seminary debt.
In gratitude, my wife and I have chosen to designate 20% of our estate as a legacy gift to Fuller. We want to ensure that future students have the same opportunity I did—to be formed, equipped, and released into ministry without financial barriers. It’s one way we can invest in the future of the church for years to come.
If you have also decided to equip future Christian leaders by leaving a gift to Fuller in your estate, please let us know at giftplanning@thefullerfoundation.org. We would be delighted to thank you for your generous future gift and impact for the kingdom.
Dennis Nelson
A SMART WAY TO GIVE—AND RECEIVE
What if your generosity could help you support the causes you care about, receive steady income for life, and enjoy meaningful tax benefits? You can do all this through a flexible giving plan designed with your future in mind. Think of it as a personal giving strategy that first supports you and your loved ones, then creates a lasting legacy for the organizations you cherish. Technically, this plan is called a charitable remainder trust.
Here’s how it works:
You contribute cash, stock, or real estate into your giving plan. In return, you—or someone you choose—receive income for life or for a set number of years. When the plan ends, the remaining balance goes to the charities you’ve selected.
Benefits You Can Count On
A Meaningful Legacy: Make a lasting impact on the causes you love.
Reliable Income: Receive steady payments for life or a set term.
Flexible Design: Tailor your plan to meet your goals.
Tax Advantages: Potential income tax deductions and reduced capital gains.
Is This Strategy Right for You?
• You want to provide for family and give back generously.
• You’re approaching or in retirement and want reliable income.
• You’re selling appreciated assets and want to reduce taxes.
• You’d like help planning your legacy with professional guidance and care.
Let’s Talk About What’s Possible
If you’re thinking about retirement income and also want to give in a tax-smart way, this giving strategy might be the perfect fit. We’d love to help you explore your options.
FINISH THE YEAR WITH PURPOSE
As the year comes to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect and to remember the causes close to your heart. Your generosity can make a real difference for the kingdom and in the lives of others while also providing meaningful benefits to you and your family.
Here are four smart ways to give before December 31:
1. Give Cash
Simple and impactful. A gift of cash helps support ministries you care about—and may offer an immediate tax benefit.
2. Give Appreciated Securities
If you’ve owned stocks or other assets that have grown in value, donating them directly can be a wise way to give. You’ll avoid capital gains taxes and make a powerful gift at the same time.
3. Use Your IRA RMD
If you're 70½ or older, you can use your IRA’s required minimum distribution (RMD) to support a cause you love—without counting it as income. IRA RMDs are a popular and tax-savvy way to give!
4. Open a TFF Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)
Not sure where you want to give yet? No problem. A TFF DAF lets you make your gift this year and then recommend grants later, when the time is right.
At The Fuller Foundation, we’re here to make your year‑end giving simple, personal, and meaningful. Let us help you finish the year well.
To learn more, contact us at 626.765.8431 or giftplanning@thefullerfoundation.org.
Investing. Growing. Giving.
AT THE FULLER FOUNDATION AND FULLER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY, we help you steward your resources wisely, enabling a lasting impact for the Kingdom.
From expert investment strategies through Fuller Investing to purposeful giving tools through the Foundation, we provide values-driven solutions that honor both your financial goals and your Christian mission.
CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE PERSONALIZED CONSULTATION
Discover how to steward your resources wisely and make a Kingdom difference that lasts.
Todd Derrick, Interim President
Dasha Thomas, Investment Counselor