Lutheran Social Services of Illinois was founded in 1867 as an orphanage for children who were left parentless after a cholera epidemic devastated a northwestern Illinois community. Generous and caring individuals rallied support. LSSI continues to thrive, serving not only children, but adults and seniors with a variety of services at 50 locations throughout Illinois.
That LSSI could grow and flourish over the years is in part due to the generosity of donors who have given philanthropically, oftentimes through their estate plans. In this way, these friends are providing future support for LSSI.
The Cornerstone Foundation was created in 1984 as a collection of funds, including LSSI’s endowment, that helps ensure the programs—and future—of LSSI. The Cornerstone Foundation receives legacy gifts, including those made through wills, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, and beneficiary designations.
Funds held by the Cornerstone Foundation provide financial support for current LSSI programs and continued support in future years.
“These legacy gifts help to ensure LSSI’s future, helping us sustain our programs and respond to innovations in the services we provide,” said David Novak, JD, Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the Cornerstone Foundation. “It’s humbling and rewarding to work with people who care so much about LSSI that they would think about providing for us this way. I am grateful, in particular, to the many volunteers who have served as Cornerstone Foundation Trustees.”
Sam and Jeanette Douglass are an example of such a commitment. Sam was a founding member of The Cornerstone Foundation, so leaving a portion of their estate to LSSI in their estate plan seemed like a natural extension of their love for LSSI. Their plans include a gift agreement to establish a permanently restricted fund in the Cornerstone Foundation. The distributions from their fund, will provide support for LSSI’s programs well into the future.
Sam and Jeanette have spent many years volunteering as international missionaries, raising a family with the same dedication to service, and encouraging others to use their blessings to be a blessing to others.
Among their many years of hands-on experience and passion for giving, their planned gift to LSSI is meant to inspire others to “work in God’s spirit.” “LSSI is doing a good job, adding love back into the social services,” Sam said. “Adding the ‘love dimension’ creates an entirely new perspective.”
In celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Cornerstone Foundation, LSSI is grateful to the many individuals who have included LSSI in their estate plans.
For more information about the Cornerstone Foundation or including LSSI in your will, please contact David.Novak@LSSI.org or visit LSSI.org/PlannedGiving.
