Why We Give
Q&A with Kenneth & Debbi Priest
Kenneth & Debbi Priest
Q: Why did you establish a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)?
A: For a long time, our prayer was to be debt-free, allowing us financial freedom not only from lenders, but freedom to give more generously to God’s Kingdom work.
Q: What joy do you find in supporting God’s kingdom through a DAF?
A: In striving to be a faithful steward of the resources that God has blessed, a DAF allows us time to pray and consider how God wants us to invest in His kingdom work through the coming years. Otherwise, we would have rushed our decision on our year-end charitable donation without time to hear from the Lord on the specific distribution plan.
Q: What motivated you to seek the services of the Foundation to establish your DAF?
A: At the beginning of 2020, we prayed for God to reveal the best path to become debt-free that year. After purchasing and remodeling a home, we decided to sell the property the Monday after Thanksgiving. In six days, we received a full offer and closed in 22 days. We contacted Bart McDonald, the Executive Director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Foundation, to seek advice on how to proceed. He suggested this alternative method to make a tax-deductible charitable donation so that we could receive the tax relief benefit in the same calendar year as our profit. A DAF option provided us the opportunity to store funds that we received two days before the end of 2020.
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering setting up a DAF?
A: For anyone considering a DAF, begin praying for God’s leading to think resourcefully and allow Him to present giving opportunities that you would not normally consider. Maybe God is calling you to give directly to your church or another Christian organization or possibly begin a new ministry.
To learn more about establishing a Donor-Advised Fund, call the Foundation at 844-351-8804.