LOCAL BENEVOLENT FUND (LBF)

Purpose of the LBF:

The Local Benevolence Fund expresses the church’s commitment to a compassionate local ministry by providing direct financial assistance to individuals and families in crisis. Support may be extended to members of the church family as well as to community walk‑ins whose needs come to the church’s attention. Typical recipients include refugees, people experiencing homelessness, single parents, those facing physical or mental illness, and elderly neighbors who lack adequate resources.

Difference between New Life Church’s Local Compassionate Ministry and Local Benevolent Fund:

The Local Benevolence Fund (LBF) provides direct financial assistance to individuals and families, and it is supported only by designated gifts given specifically for that purpose—not by the church’s general offerings.

By contrast, Local Compassionate Ministry supports broader community initiatives, including partnerships with local nonprofits and community‑impact projects. Its funding may come from designated contributions or from the church’s general donations, depending on how the church chooses to resource these larger efforts.

Together they respond to God’s call for compassion. 


Policies of the LBF:

The Local Benevolent Fund is an ongoing fund. Should the church board at any time vote to close it, the remaining money shall go into the church's general account.

All aid is provided as an unconditional gift, out of charity and goodwill. Recipients are not obligated to provide any form of compensation, including work, in return for the assistance received - though they may freely choose to do so.

The fund’s administration falls to a newly established Local Benevolence Committee (LBC), except that the pastor may use up to $500 in emergencies without prior permission from the committee. With Board approval, the committee shall consist of 3 church members, with the option to include a non‑voting intern.

The LBC may consider recommendations from anyone, but it shall not be bound to honor them. Donors shall not recover a contribution because the committee failed to honor the donor’s recommendation. The committee is responsible for setting the maximum assistance per individual / family and establishing eligibility criteria for financial aid. Committee members are ineligible to receive assistance themselves. If a request involves a committee member’s family, that member must recuse themself from all discussion and decision‑making related to that case.

The committee must document each gift. For accurate and compliant record keeping, the following information shall be recorded:

  1. The recipient’s name and address, who in some cases may be homeless.

  2. A complete description of the assistance provided.

  3. The purpose for which the aid was given and what the likelihood of needing follow-up funding is.

  4. The criteria used to determine the amount of aid and eligibility - including any proof of hardship.

  5. The method of selecting a recipient, including how the request came to the committee’s attention.

  6. Any relationship between the recipient and officers, directors, key employees, or substantial contributors to New Life Church.

The Local Benevolence Committee shall report the fund's balance quarterly to the Church Board. Y. Koh, or any current Office Manager/Accountant for New Life Church, shall produce reports for the LBC that provide an overview of all donations and expenses of the fund. 

There are an infinite number of needs, but a finite number of resources. Therefore, we need not concern ourselves with helping everyone who seeks financial assistance. 

Those who want the LBF committee to consider their situation can contact the pastor: hello@nlnc.org