New beginnings call for remembering roots.

Many of you know that we began the Servant Foundation (originally, the Christian Community Foundation in Kansas City) in June 2000. We are a donor-advised-fund organization, and we chose to affiliate with the National Christian Foundation as our backroom. Now, eighteen years later, we’ve been given an opportunity for our organization to establish our own backroom, which gives us more opportunity to continue to grow.

But in light of that growth, I wanted to take a few moments to remember one of our founders, Frank Brown.

When Frank Brown sat down with his accountant in 1999, he got bad news. His tax bill was huge. As he reflected on the check he would write to the IRS, he thought that the size of the check was not only stupid but also sinful.

He wondered if there were a better way.

Frank’s search for a better way led him to be part of starting the Servant Foundation in June 2000. He was joined in those efforts by Thurman Mitchell, a popular TV5 news reporter, and Pat Lloyd, a well-known philanthropist in her own right.

But the goal was never just about tax reduction. Frank and the team wanted to make an impact. Now, nearly 18 years later, the Servant Foundation has been part of more than $2 billion in grants out to ministries locally, nationally, and internationally. Frank will tell you that the foundation changed his life.

But as I’ve observed it, Frank’s life has impacted the lives of so many. His kind and gentle nature has encouraged countless people. He’s led Bible studies, even written Bible studies, and listened patiently to a great number of ministries. He’s the icon of generosity.

Now in his 80s, Frank is still an active board member, even in the next chapter of the Servant Foundation. Well done, Frank!

Related articles:
A Time to Remember: Thurman Mitchell
A Time to Remember: Pat Lloyd
Sue Storykeepers, and Us

Bill High

Bill is CEO & Founder of Vyne Legacy. He works with families to equip them with tools to build multigenerational legacies, and he teaches givers and financial advisers on transformational biblical generosity. He is the co-author with David Green of Giving It All Away and Getting It All Back Again: The Way of Living Generously.

Published May 4, 2018

Topics: Generosity

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