Financial Accountability
Membership with the Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability (ECFA)
ECFA is an accreditation agency dedicated to helping Christian ministries earn the public’s trust through adherence to Seven Standards of Responsible StewardshipTM. Founded in 1979, ECFA provides accreditation to leading Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully demonstrate compliance with established standards for financial accountability, fundraising and board governance.
The Evangelical Church Alliance has been a member of ECFA since 2002. Click Here to view our Ministry Profile.
Consider Adding the ECA to Your Will
As a 501 (c)(3) charitable, nonprofit organization, the Evangelical Church Alliance depends on donations for supplemental funding. Each year, thousands of individuals designate a portion of their assets by bequest to benefit charities. As a matter of fact, bequests have become an important part of the American philanthropic tradition because they enable individuals to make significant gifts that they may not have been able to make during their life.
Bequests can include specific assets, such as stock, and bequests can state a specified dollar amount. A residual bequest designates all or a portion of whatever remains after all debts, taxes, expenses, and all other bequests have been paid. A contingent bequest takes effect only if the primary intention cannot be met. For example, you might wish to leave a bequest to a certain individual; but, if that person does not survive you, then the bequest would go to your charity. This ensures that property will pass to the charity rather than unintended beneficiaries, including the government.
While most people own some form of life insurance because of its unique ability to meet a variety of needs for financial protection, its role in planned charitable giving if frequently overlooked. Life insurance itself can be the direct funding medium of a gift to the ECA, permitting the donor to make a substantial gift for a relatively modest annual outlay. If you would like to leave a bequest to the ECA or name the ECA as a beneficiary of your life insurance, talk with your estate planner or attorney. This might be an avenue that would allow you to make a substantial investment in God’s work long after you’ve received your eternal reward.
