Firstfruits gift, new initiatives highlight 2016 for MB Foundation

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2016 marks 26th consecutive year of asset growth

MBF news release

Annual report

MB Foundation (MBF) continued to experience ministry growth in 2016. This growth was evidenced by the launching of new initiatives designed to strengthen and empower the local church, helping affirm the strategy of the national Mennonite Brethren family. MBF is the stewardship ministry of US Mennonite Brethren.

One way MBF affirms the national MB family is through an annual gift to USMB of 11 percent of net profits. The gift for 2016 was $220,801, an increase of $44,000 from the previous year’s gift. MBF has been making a “firstfruits” gift to USMB since 2010 and recently increased the percentage of the gift to 11 percent of net profits.

MB Foundation continues to support USMB ministries at a highly substantial level, and it is immensely appreciated by me, our staff, our national leadership board and the MB family of churches,” says Don Morris, USMB national director.

Several new initiatives were started in 2016 in the spirit of strengthening and empowering the local church. Those initiatives included:

  • Sponsoring a first-ever giving challenge to encourage generosity. This contest encouraged the sharing of generosity stories and awarded four participants the opportunity to give away a total of $20,000.
  • Forming a retirement plan for church staff.
  • Launching the Leadership Generation Fund (LeadGen) to provide scholarships for leadership development. The first round of scholarships were awarded in 2016, totaling $2,500.
  • Lowering loan rates and raising certificate rates for the first time ever. This decision contradicted market trends but provided savings to borrowers and increased earnings for investors.
  • Building a new office building in Hillsboro, Kansas. Groundbreaking occurred in July 2016 with the project expected to be completed in May 2017.

Along with the new initiatives, MBF continued to assist donors with planned giving, helping facilitate gifts to their favorite ministries. Donor initiated gifts that passed through MBF to 280 charities totaling over $3,100,000 in 2016.

Total assets under management increased from $174 million in 2015 to $178 million in 2016. This increase marks the 26th consecutive year of asset growth.

“I am constantly amazed by God’s faithfulness to this stewardship ministry and so very grateful for your partnership with us,” says Jon C. Wiebe, president and CEO.

To view the complete 2016 Annual Report, visit mbfoundation.com/2016annualreport.

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