In August 1969 Northaven's Administrative Board unanimously approved the establishment of a Human Development Fund (HDF) for the purpose of extending Northaven's mission to the urgent needs of the wider community.
The initial plan for the HDF was to respond to the needs of disenfranchised groups in a direct and meaningful way, with special emphasis on needs within the black community.
In 1970, the first year of the HDF, pledges reached $5,600.
The records available on the HDF's 36-year history indicate a conservative estimate of at least $750,000 in grants and perhaps considerably more. During Northaven's 50th anniversary year many signs of God's grace and congregational resolve have come forth, bringing joy and gratitude. I'm grateful that the HDF is one among many.
The support of the HDF by each Northaven pastor through the years and the unfailing consistency of lay involvement have been the indispensable factors in the continuance and growth of the HDF. The HDF has become part of Northaven's plan for mission, an ongoing spiritual and economic ethos embodied in the life of the congregation.
Northaven members were given an opportunity to support the HDF with "second mile" one-year-at-a-time pledges above and beyond the regular operating budget and mission-oriented apportionments of the United Methodist Church.
To qualify for an HDF grant, the requesting agency must be a non-profit; be an organization which addresses the issues of poverty, education, justice, medical needs, and/or a special population; preferably be located in the Dallas area (although some national and international gifts are considered); and be an agency or organization that can show sustained support from other sources beyond Northaven. Special considerations included funding organizations lacking widespread public support, with emphasis given to projects that could involve the time and talents of the Northaven community, and gifts that seem to promise lasting benefit to society.
2006 marks the 36th year of Northaven's HDF. In mid-January the HDF Committee reviewed applications from 26 agencies and made recommendations to fund 21. The Leadership Council subsequently approved these recommendations. Through the generosity of HDF donors the total funding was $46,900. These grants, while made in early 2006, reflected HDF funds received during the 2005 year.
The list of 2006 recipients was made available to the congregation last January in Phillip Shinoda's letter. The list is available on the Northaven website on the HDF link under Outreach and Mission. There are currently 85 HDF pledges totaling $53,845.
Current members of the committee are Ken Benson, Mary Finnin, Patty Harvey, Bill McElvaney, Joy Nelson, Phillip Shinoda, Sandra Washburn, and chair Elaine Wiant. HDF meetings are, of course, open to Northaven members.
Bill McElvaney
Pastor, 1967-1973
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Northaven
United Methodist Church
11211 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
Telephone 214-363-2479
Fax: 214-373-3972
numc@northaven.org
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