2023 Directors Foundation Annual Report

“ Letter From THE PRESIDENT

They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Matthew 25:44-45

Matthew 25:44-45 is a great reminder that everything Directors Foundation accomplishes is done unto the Lord himself.

At Directors Foundation, we focus on being kind and generous to those needing food, clothing, support, love, a better way, kindness, resources, shelter, and Jesus.

It feels good to donate money to charities you know , but it feels great to help people rise to a higher standard and quality of living.

In 2023, we were driven and called to assist those who needed it. The Lahaina wildfires, emotionally expressed by Hawaii state governor Josh Green as the “worst natural disaster in the history of Hawaii,” created incredible need in that community. When we heard about the devastation, we immediately were called to action and matched donations that flooded into Directors Foundation from donors around the country.

In the summer, we partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build a home for a local Abilene family in need, with close to 250 Directors Investment Group employees and summer apprentices

lending a hand in the process. We also continued our quest to “make a difference in the lives of people - one family at a time” by building two homes for two families in Costa Rica.

It’s a privilege to be involved in making such an incredible difference in the lives of people in need. Thank you to all of you who helped Directors Foundation fulfill its mission in 2023. We are called to serve as helpers of people, and we can’t wait to see how we can help in 2024.

KRIS SEALE President and CEO Directors Foundation

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”

Our MISSION STATEMENT

Directors Foundation’s mission is to be the best, most-respected partner to like-minded non-profit organizations in order to promote the cause of Christ and be His hands and feet in a lost and hurting world.

1.

MISSION PROJECT

highlights

All the volunteers who went to Costa Rica to build homes for families fulfilled Matthew 5:16: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Their lights DID SHINE as Directors Foundation launched its tenth mission trip by partnering with Funeral Directors Life, Vital Seed Ministries, and Youth with a Mission (YWAM).

Dedicated volunteers gave their time and hearts to build homes for two families in Liberia, Costa Rica, and those homes took three days to build. Each family was involved in helping throughout the process. In the end, the families were overjoyed and filled with such gratitudeas were the volunteers!

Two families received homes: the Zelaya Rodriguez family with five people in their house and the Artavia Rugama family with seven people in their house. The neighborhood was familiar to our group as we’ve built homes for other families in the area in years past. The families receiving the homes joined the builds along with families from our previous house builds. The camaraderie with everyone involved, including the children, inspired us and allowed us to

accomplish a lot of productive work, both physically and spiritually.

After the builds, the homes were furnished with beds and linens, bathroom supplies like towels and hygiene products, a dining room table and chairs, kitchen appliances, dishes, and furnishings. On top of that, volunteers bought additional items for the family, like vegetable seeds, toys, curtains, and more. Directors Foundation also took the families shopping for food and personal clothing items, including shoes and school outfits.

On the last day, we came together for a ceremony to honor each family and presented them with a family Bible. This over-the-top, three-day experience transformed houses into homes and solidified all the sacrifices made by the volunteers!

The mission trips hosted by Directors Foundation continue to make an impact on people who have few resources and little hope. We consistently hear incredible testimonies of how serving on a mission trip positively changes the participants’ perspectives!

The Zelaya Rodriguez Family

The Artavia Rugama Family

We help people daily in our business and had heard about helping people on this mission trip. My wife and I decided to go and give ‘sweat equity.’ The trip changed my life! To see how blessed we are in life back home is a gift I’ll never forget.” “I thought my heart was as big as it could be, but it has grown leaps and bounds since I’ve been here [on the mission trip]!” “ Everything I experienced this week was amazing. You should answer the call! Say, ‘Lord, send me!’ You’ll never regret it.” “Hanging out with the families and the relationships that continue to build as I go on these trips is amazing. No other feeling like “ Everything I experienced this week was amazing. You should answer the call! Say, ‘Lord, send me!’ You’ll never regret it.”

One dedicated volunteer and vital team member on the Costa Rica mission trip was Andrea Roberts, recognized around the DIG Home Office as someone who embodies Love Well. With a consistently humble, kind, and generous heart, Andrea finds great joy in serving others. Her profound generosity developed from overcoming the hardships of her youth.

Raised by a single mother below the poverty line, Andrea faced unpredictable times during her teens, lacking a permanent home and relying on the generosity of others to survive. Compassion from her community, combined with her hard work and God’s provision, led her to the stable and thriving life she enjoys today.

Having experienced the generosity of others, Andrea is inspired to continuously pay it forward. She explained, “I always give expecting nothing in return. My hope is that, down the line, if you see someone with a need and you can help in some way, do it.”

Andrea finds joy in giving gifts, whether small tokens to show she’s thinking of someone or special, thoughtful creations to express gratitude. Her baking business, Mystic Sugar, often contributes treats for workplace events. With a mindset of “see a need, fill a need,” Andrea instinctively looks for ways to help and show love to others.

Andrea’s passion for giving extends to participating in the Costa Rica Mission Trips, where she has helped provide homes to families in need. She has been part of every Costa Rica

Andrea Roberts

Mission Trip since DIG began offering them in 2017. Andrea cherishes the experience, especially witnessing the transformation from start to finish and seeing the joy on families’ faces when they receive the keys to their new homes. She explains that they see their beds, curtains, silverware, and decorations we bought to put in the house, and they get to go home. That’s why I do this.

Having experienced uncertainty herself, Andrea empathizes with the families in Costa Rica and wants to provide stability for them. Her commitment to paying forward the generosity she received shows the profound long-term impact giving can make. Whether attending DIG’s annual mission trip or offering small tokens of appreciation, she encourages everyone to find a way to give because even small acts of kindness can have a significant impact.

Andrea’s belief in the power of generosity is encapsulated well in the words, “The best thing about giving is that the reaction is always greater than the action” (Anonymous).

The Stewarts resonate with the biblical insight that

“ It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”

Acts 20:35

Jeff & Sherry Stewart TESTIMONIAL:

Jeff and Sherry Stewart have faithfully served on DIG’s Costa Rica mission trips each year since the program’s start in 2017, with the exception of the year Sherry’s mother passed away. Sherry used the woodworking skills she learned from her late mother for many years prior to her mom’s death. She recognized the opportunity to honor her mother’s legacy of skilled woodworking and artistry by making personalized signs for the families’ new homes.

The mission trips and the stark difference in living conditions between their lives and those of the families they serve in Costa Rica have significantly impacted the Stewarts’ perspective. Witnessing the families’ gratitude and emotional reactions to receiving a new home fosters a deep sense of humility and appreciation for what Jeff and Sherry have.

Jeff explained, “It gives you a good perspective because money doesn’t mean as much anymore. That’s not only because we make more money than we did when we were young and poor, but because we realize there’s so much that’s more important than money.”

The Stewarts resonate with the biblical insight that “It’s more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) and embody the spirit of giving. Even when Sherry couldn’t attend one year after being in the emergency room on the morning they were meant to fly out to Costa Rica, she still sent Jeff to the airport to fulfill their commitment.

Jeff and Sherry appreciate the opportunity to serve together as a husband and wife, finding that working side by side on these projects

strengthens their relationship. Sherry said, “Since we have separate jobs and don’t work together during the week, we’ve always enjoyed doing activities together. It would be challenging to communicate the excitement and meaning of a mission trip if one of us took part and the other didn’t. Experiencing it together makes it truly special.”

In addition to volunteering as a couple, one unique aspect of these mission trips is the chance to serve alongside coworkers. Jeff pointed out that serving together builds friendships and relationships with other volunteers, both in Costa Rica and back home. Jeff summed it up by saying,

“ “

“When you go on these mission trips, you realize how good you have it, you get the giver’s high, and you get to serve with other people!”

The Stewarts’ journey is a testament to the transformative power of service, gratitude, and the joy of giving. As they continue to serve, build relationships, and change the trajectories of families in need, Jeff and Sherry live out the principle that giving is better than receiving.

2023 MONEY EXPENDED

Youth Sports: $630,000

Christian Ministries: $536,750

Abilene Community Projects: $498,300

Children’s Projects: $115,000

School Projects: $105,000

Miscellaneous: $50,460

National Charities: $20,500

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

Snapshot of how a portion of funds were used

Love and Care Ministries:

Directors Foundation helped fund the operational costs of this charity that serves the homeless in Abilene, Merkel, Clyde, and Anson. Also, 59,000 CarePacks were assembled and shared with students who needed weekend food for nourishment.

Hendrick Hospice Care:

Over 60 uninsured and underinsured patients and families received financial support for end-of-life care during their stay. Directors Foundation’s money also supported their children’s grief programs called Camp Courage and Club Courage.

Abilene Philharmonic:

Community Foundation of Abilene:

Directors Foundation provided financial support to help launch a successful “Day of Giving” in 2023. We extended money to nonprofits during the day that fulfilled fun goals. This event spotlighted charities and their needs in and around the Big Country and raised over $2 million in 24 hours!

Abilene Youth Sports Authority:

AYSA continues to offer sports programming to hundreds of children and adults within a 220-mile radius of Abilene, TX. They raised over $24 million and broke ground on the soccer/football fields project that will be built and completed in 2025.

Pregnancy Resources of Abilene (PRA):

Directors Foundation provided funding for the “Larry Gill Oboe Chair” in honor of a man who has spent his life in service with the Dodge Jones Foundation. Kids Club:

Over 776 children were served in afterschool and summer programming that centered around Jesus, fun, and fellowship, and we helped cover the cost of programming for needy families.

PRA served over 1,800 clients through counseling, pregnancy tests, ultrasound services, educational classes, professional counseling, and adoption support. And over 55 babies lived because their mothers chose life for them!

Jewish Missions:

Directors Foundation supported the Beit Hallel Congregation, a Messianic Jewish congregation in Ashdod, Israel. In 2023, the congregation offered help to refugees and those affected by the Israel/Hamas war.

Global Samaritan:

Global Samaritan provides Christian humanitarian aid to people in crisis locally and worldwide. Directors Foundation helped them respond to the Ukraine crisis and strengthened Global Samaritan’s Abilene operations.

Big Country Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA):

This organization provides volunteer advocates for children who have experienced abuse and neglect and are currently in the foster care system. Directors Foundation funding supports the recruiting and training of new volunteers who will ultimately handle the increased caseload of children served. They served 334 children in 2023 and trained over 30 new volunteers!

Abilene Christian University: Directors Foundation supported students through the DIG Study Abroad Scholarship and the DIG Endowed Scholarship. Also, the College of Business Administration faculty received funding.

Abilene Heritage Square Project:

Directors Foundation supported this new renovation project at the heart of Abilene that will be a local draw for learning, teaching, meetings, and community gatherings. We made the last of three donations in 2023.

India Missions:

Directors Foundation supported their “Blessings Fund” to help the disadvantaged through education, job orientation training, medical assistance, and a widow’s fund. Also, a small village church building is still being built with the help of Directors Foundation.

Hendrick Home for Children:

Directors Foundation helped fund scholarships for youth continuing their education beyond high school.

Healing Hearts Connection:

Healing Hearts serves children, youth, young adults from ages 1824, and adult family members who are grieving the loss of their loved ones. Directors Foundation’s funding supported two grief camps annually.

Agencies and Programs Supported by DIRECTORS FOUNDATION

Abilene Chamber Foundation

Abilene Christian University

Abilene Heritage Square Project

Abilene Philharmonic

Abilene Police Academy Foundation

Abilene Youth Sports Authority

All Kind Animal Initiative

Alzheimer’s Association

Beltway Ministries

Ben Richey Boys Ranch

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Camp Able of Buffalo Gap

Camp Courage/Club Courage

Cancer Services Network

Chorus Abilene

Community Foundation of Abilene

Court Appointed Special Advocates

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Global Samaritan

Habitat for Humanity

Hardin-Simmons University

Healing Hearts Connection

Hendrick Home for Children

Hendrick Hospice Care

India Christian Missions

Kids Club at the Park

Love and Care Ministries

Maui Community Foundation

Messianic Jewish Missions

Middle East Ministries

Pregnancy Resources of Abilene Prison Ministries

Salvation Army Stillwater Church

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Treehouse Safe Exchange and Training Center

Various Mission Projects

Vital Seeds Ministry

Wylie Bulldogs Education Foundation YMCA

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12

SERVICE ORIENTED:

• Sponsors and works mission trips

• Highlights partner nonprofit organizations on its website

• Extends money for projects helping people in need

VALUES PARTNERSHIPS:

We continue to reach out to partner organizations to build a close relationship with their staff.

Understanding the vision and heart of the people involved helps us make future funding decisions.

HELPS OTHERS REALIZE THE IMPACT IT’S MAKING THROUGH:

• The Giving Tree campaign, which raises additional awareness of the agencies Directors Foundation supports

• Memorial Gifting opportunities

We invite you to join us by giving a meaningful gift in memory of a loved one, in honor of a role model or mentor, and in the spirit of helping those in need. Checks and cash accepted:

Directors Foundation

6550 Directors Parkway

Abilene, TX 79606

“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.

Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:13

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.

Proverbs 19:17