(formerly Institutional Consulting Service). An office that nurtures and encourages the acquisition of voluntary financial support by church-operated colleges, academies, and hospitals in the North American Division. The function documents philanthropic data by sources and provides annual comparisons that stimulate and inspire continued efforts. A monthly publication, The Philanthropic Dollar , is sent to 500 church and institutional leaders as well as to staffers who contribute professionally at the various institutions. The office also administers a program designated to facilitate entry into the field of philanthropy by young men and women. It is known as the STEP/UP program-acronym for student training and experience program underscoring philanthropy. Discounted computer services, professional books, service from the National Foundation Center, periodic conferences, and consulting visits to institutions are also provided by the office.
PSI was established in 1973 as the result of some successful campaigns that had been undertaken in the previous six years. The Hackettstown Community Hospital, Shawnee Mission Medical Center, Huguley Memorial Medical Center, Portland Adventist Medical Center, and Bella Vista Hospital (Puerto Rico) were sites of successful capital campaigns that, in effect, persuaded church leaders to formalize and establish the philanthropic function. In 1978 the first Tri-annual Conference on Philanthropy was held on the campus of Union College with 37 in attendance. The 1993 conference—the sixth—was attended by more than 125, showing a significant increase in programs.
In 1979 the Hospital Development Fund was established by the General Conference to extend challenge grants to the hospitals for achieving dollar goals for capital campaigns and annual funds. In 1985 the Adventist Health System itself joined in funding the program. By 1992 some $1.7 million invested in challenge programs to the hospitals had helped to generate $38 million, almost entirely from non-Seventh-day Adventist sources.
In addition to enhancing the financial picture at the various institutions, philanthropy makes known the mission of the church to hundreds of thousands who otherwise would not have known.
In 1980 Philanthropic Service for Institutions set up a $2.1 million fund by asking various business executives to join church leadership in challenging SDA colleges and universities to raise significant moneys from their alumni. After 12 years of work (and an additional $1.3 million in challenge moneys), the BECA (Business Executives’ Challenge to Alumni) Program helped to generate some $22 million. In 1986 a similar program was initiated for academies, which within seven years was prompting academy alumni and other constituents to give $4 million annually for their programs. Collectively, some 100 institutions in NAD were receiving $1 million each week through philanthropy. During a 12-year period ending in 1993, $430 million in philanthropic moneys came to institutions.
The service also contributes to the advancement of philanthropy at the national level by providing publications and modest funding for national agencies. The Page-a-Day Giving Is Caring quotes calendar is distributed to hundreds of nonprofits throughout the nation. As of the end of 1993 some 340,000 have bedecked the offices and homes of donors and volunteers. Other publications with national standing include books on how to recognize donors and volunteers, humor in philanthropy, quotations for writers, speakers, and leaders.
Thanks to funding provided by an SDA business couple, a very modest “BECA type” program has been working with a dozen colleges outside the North American Division where alumni are beginning to take note of the possibilities. In the process, $145,000 of challenge moneys have generated $435,000 from alumni of these institutions.
Directors: Milton Murray, 1973–1993; Kenneth M. Turpen, 1994– .
Cochairpersons: Berney Neufeld and Don Prior, 1994– .