Campaign Makes Goal

The "Taking the Next Step" comprehensive resources campaign has surpassed its $105 million goal—and a new building project is underway in San Diego, in addition to the George K. Brushaber Commons in St. Paul.

Summer 2008

This Scripture passage has led Bethel in its largest-ever comprehensive resource campaign, Taking the Next Step. And the steps taken have gone much further than expected. The campaign’s $105 million goal was not only met, but surpassed with gifts and pledges totaling $109.3 million. $80 million of that total is already at work, making an immediate impact at Bethel.

“We knew the only way that this campaign could be successful was if we depended on the Holy Spirit to touch the hearts and minds of potential donors,” says David Monson, campaign chair. “The campaign hasn’t been headed by President Brushaber or the development office or me. It’s the Holy Spirit. He’s at the top of the charts.” 

Unbelievably, Bethel raised more than $42  million in just two years, since the six-year campaign was publically launched at $67 million in October 2006. In comparison, Bethel’s last campaign took seven years to raise $35 million and had just one commitment more than $1 million. This time, two commitments were made for $5 million or more; 32 for $1 million or more; and 225 for $50,000 or more. Many of these commitments come from first-time donors and younger alumni—fulfilling Brushaber’s vision for “ownership of Bethel’s future” by a new generation of leadership.

“The objective of this campaign has been to achieve a transformation in stewardship to match the transformation of Bethel into a leading Christian university,” says outgoing President George Brushaber. The ways through which that objective was met are varied, but they are all marked with the remarkable generosity of donors.

Annual Fund: For the third consecutive year, Bethel has reached its annual fund goal, raising more than $3 million a year. The annual fund, which pays for the balance of yearly operating expenses beyond tuition, is where the majority of donors contribute, making the most difference on a day-to-day basis for faculty, staff, and students.

“The fact that we’ve set three consecutive records in the annual fund, while also raising major capital gifts, indicates that the broadest universe of Bethel donors is paying attention,” says Bruce Anderson, vice president for development.

Planned Giving: Planned giving including real estate, trusts, annuities, pension plans, IRA assets, and corporate matching programs was steady in the early years of the campaign and then had a dramatic surge in the last year. A total of $25 million was committed in this category of giving.

“This transformation of stewardship demonstrates that our donors are willing to commit not just a portion of their income to Bethel’s mission, but all or a portion of their accumulated wealth, as well,” says Dan Wiersum, associate vice president for development and planned giving.

The most common planned gift is the charitable gift annuity. There are currently more than 220 annuity contracts in force having a total gift value of $6.15 million.

“As I visit and work with these amazing donors, I am humbled by their sense of personal stewardship and their great affection for Bethel,” says Wiersum. “The trust they’ve placed in us reinforces for me the awesome responsibility we have to be faithful stewards of that which has been entrusted to us.”

Endowment: Many donors directed their contributions to fund endowed scholarships for the benefit of future students; this type of giving accounted for more than $8.5 million in the campaign. Supporting undergraduate and seminary research and training, these donations will help secure Bethel’s effectiveness in fulfilling its educational mission through varying economic conditions.

Bush Foundation: In March, The Bush Foundation awarded Bethel a $1 Million Matching Challenge to support the Taking the Next Step campaign. The foundation offered a dollar-for-dollar match for gifts up to $250,000, and Bethel reached $1 million and then some. 

“We are deeply grateful to the Bush Foundation for the catalyst they provided at a critical point in the campaign,” says Sandy Clark, director of corporate and foundation relations. “Donors took the opportunity to double the impact of their gifts.”

See for yourselves

Evidence of donors’ generosity can be seen in San Diego as ground was broken on June 14—in conjunction with graduation—for the 14,350 square-foot expansion of Bethel Seminary. Included is a 380-seat chapel and conference center, a library expansion, and new classrooms and office space. 

Many are also supporting the newly named George K. Brushaber Commons in Arden Hills. The new 110,000 square-foot facility, on track to open in March 2009, has already transformed the landscape of the campus while construction continues on the shore of Lake Valentine. With new dining, student organization, meeting, and conversation space, this “living room” for the campus will support the development of life-long relationships.

“We’re overwhelmed by the response to this campaign and excited to have taken stewardship to a new level for Bethel,” says Anderson. “But we are also very aware that there’s more to come. God’s plans for Bethel are not over. Our work is not done.” 

Nevertheless, Bethel has reason to celebrate. Reaching $109.3 million is no small feat and neither are the opportunities these funds will afford.

Says Brushaber, “Through the faithfulness of all those involved in the prayer initiative, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the generosity of Bethel’s friends, a strong foundation has been laid for the next chapter in Bethel’s growth and ministry.”