Jerry Gray, NLS Treasurer, led an exchange of ideas discussion and answered budget questions.
The main topics include the 2026 budget, fundraising, and sharing best practices among Via de Cristo communities. Jerry reported that the NLS board is working on website improvements while minimizing software and website costs. Communication between Secretariats, Regional Coordinators, and the NLS board is inefficient, affecting dues collection, Palanca sharing, and information exchange. It was noted that the draft 2026 budget lacks an expense line for new scholarship payments and needs revision. Distribution Center funds are tracked separately but held in NLS accounts; the classification of this income relative to NLS’s non-profit tax-exempt status was discussed.
The group discussed fund raising strategies that secretariats are using besides team donations. These ideas included Pledge Form Campaigns, Thrivent Choice Program donations, Thrivent Action Team donations, offering collected at Ultreya gatherings, and manning concession stands for local sports teams. A few have participated in “Giving Days” events where the local community is invited to give to local non-profit organizations.
One of the keys to success in fundraising is to ask, but tell the community why and what it’s for. Electronic communications are not always as effective as personal contact. “We have to ask but tell them why!”
Reported by Lee Kanipe
