Benevolence

What is Benevolence?

Benevolence refers to the money donated by TLLC and its members to various organizations. This money comes from our general fund, special offerings and appeals, and other designated gifts programs. The Social Service Committee determines how benevolence money will be allocated each year, using specific guidelines (shown below.)

Adopted 10/28/04 by the Social Service Committee

Emphasis is placed on Lutheran organizations. Organizations may be directly Lutheran or partner with Lutheran organizations (such as Refugee Services of Texas, which partners with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services.)

Emphasis is placed on organizations that also provide service opportunities.

Emphasis is placed on organizations that have low overhead costs.

We try to achieve a balance between local and global outreach, social service organizations (such as Lutheran Social Services) and mission ministries (such as Lutheran Seminary Program of the Southwest), and organizations that directly fill current needs and organizations that seek to make structural changes in order to reduce immediate need.

Sometimes we go with organizations that are not Lutheran and may have slightly higher overhead but provide particularly meaningful programs for our children and youth, such as Heifer Project International, Church World Service CROP Walk, and World Vision's Thirty Hour Famine.

Emphasis is placed on the organization's mission statement and goals.