In reply to Suzi B.

Suzi, any donation restricted by a donor for 'Pilger relief" will go to that effort. When we draw funds for Pilger, we look first to see if any donations restricted by donors only for Pilger are available. Beyond that, if funds are needed, we would turn to the tornado relief fund. Donations restricted for 'tornado relief' may, under generally accepted accounting principles and Synod policy, be used for any tornado-related relief work such as that in Pilger and the surrounding areas in Nebraska or up in South Dakota where others have been hit hard by tornadoes.

If additional funds beyond Pilger-only or "tornado relief" are required, we draw from the general disaster fund.

We do not take disaster gifts (or any other type of restricted donations) and re-purpose them for something other than that which the donor intended, unless the need for those funds no longer exists and we speak first with the donors who gave them to identify a mutually-acceptable use. And we will refund gifts if a mutually-agreeable use cannot be determined. This practice and approach is documented in our fundraising policies.

Synod annually undergoes an external, independent audit of our books. That process will make sure all gifts have been used precisely in accordance with the intent of the donors who made them. If you have additional questions, please call my office and we can go through them one-on-one. Thank you for your concern and desire to help our brothers and sisters who are shifting to a new reality.

Mark Hofman, CFRE, MBA
Executive Director, Mission Advancement