Annual Fund

WELCOME TO THE NOBTS ANNUAL FUND PAGE!

EVEN MORE ABOUT THE
ANNUAL FUND

How much has been raised so far?

A Word About the Annual Fund

Annual Fund Giving Clubs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

WHY THE ANNUAL FUND?

• For our students
• For our seminary
• For God's Kingdom

What is our progress toward reaching our goal?

GOAL: $1,025,000

CURRENT: $487,166

NEEDED: $537,834

Deadline: July 31, 2010

Updated: July 28, 2010

A WORD ABOUT THE ANNUAL FUND

Welcome to the NOBTS Annual Fund page! We're glad you stopped by. Because you are visiting this site, we hope that you share our passion for keeping the cost of theological education affordable for all God-called men and women who desire quality, accredited ministry training that is appropriate to their calling.

Through the years, many seminaries are feeling the budgetary pinch of increased expenses. This is especially true for us because NOBTS is doing business in post-Katrina New Orleans where operating costs are higher than ever before. However, we have a solution to this challenge. So that student tuition does not increase to the point of making theological education available to only a small sector of society, NOBTS has established the Annual Fund in order to control such drastic upsurges.

Do you know that it costs nearly $50,000 per day to operate the seminary? That figure includes everything from operating the air conditioning to maintaining our beautiful grounds to paying the employees. We are blessed because Southern Baptist churches giving to the Cooperative Program covers nearly half of our budget. The rest must be covered by other income sources including student tuition.

We are very proud of the alumni and friends of the seminary who support the annual fund. Please check out our gift club levels below. We would love to add your name to the list of people who have given gifts to the Annual Fund. No contribution is too small and every gift is greatly appreciated. As long as a seminary degree is affordable, it can remain accessible to all. Would you consider joining the list of generous people who support the Annual Fund?

ANNUAL FUND GIVING CLUBS

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary recognizes our donors through the following club levels based on calendar year:

President's Circle - $25,000 per Year or $100,000 Cumulative Giving

Covenant Club - $10,000 - 24,999

Executive Club - $5,000 - $9,999

Providence Club - $1,000 - $4,999

Friends of the Seminary - Gifts up to $999

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is the Annual Fund?

The Annual Fund was established to slow rising tuition, resulting in accessible theological education for God-called men and women who need and want it. All Annual Fund contributions are applied directly to the seminary's operating budget to offset the need for sharp increases in student fees. Every dollar given to the Annual Fund is a dollar that a student does not have to pay for tuition.

2. What specific expenses does the Annual Fund cover?

Since every cent that goes to the Annual Fund is applied to the seminary's operating budget, one could say that the Annual Fund covers any seminary expense not already covered by designated gifts, such as scholarships. This means that it covers purchasing gasoline for seminary lawn mowers, paying the electric bill, funding faculty and staff salaries, and much, much, more.

3. Is my Annual Fund donation tax deductible?

Your charitable gifts to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary are tax deductible in accordance with current law.

4. I want to help, but really cannot afford to give right now. What can I do?

Through careful financial and estate planning, with guidance from tax and legal advisors, you can make plans now for the seminary to receive your gift later. Deferred gifts may include life income plans, designating the seminary as an heir or insurance beneficiary, or memorializing a loved one through an endowment. An endowment is "the gift that keeps on giving," because the principal of the gift is invested for growth over time, producing interest which may be spent each year as designated by you, the donor. For more information, call the Office for Institutional Advancement at (800) 662-8701 or (504) 282-4455 ext. 3252.

5. Do you accept gifts from credit cards? If so, which cards do you honor?

Yes, we accept donations from credit cards. In fact, you may click on the "Donate" button above to give on-line. We honor credit cards from the Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover financial networks.

6. My employer will match donations that I make to my favorite charity. Will the seminary accept contributions from charitable gift-matching programs?

Yes, we will be happy to work with you and your employer for matching gifts.

7. I have further questions about the Annual Fund. How may I contact the seminary to speak with a representative?

We want to make it as easy as possible for you to reach us. You may call (800) 662-8701 or (504) 282-4455 ext. 8435, send e-mail, or send a letter via "snail mail" to:

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Office for Institutional Advancement
3939 Gentilly Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70126