Frequently Asked Questions


You say that 100% of my gift goes to help people in need. How is this possible? Surely you have expenses to manage the program.

An established endowment funds the operating expenses of Mission:Dignity. This covers staff salaries, printing, postage and other expenses. Every dollar of current Mission:Dignity annual gifts is used for monthly distributions to retirement-age SBC ministers, workers and widows in need.

Can I designate the recipient of my gift?

For tax purposes, you cannot designate a recipient. If you know of someone who may need assistance, we’ll be glad to contact them and see if they might qualify for Mission:Dignity. Call us at 1-877-888-9409 with their name and address, and we’ll contact them.

Can I find out the name of the person I am helping?

Many of our recipients have given us permission to share their names by way of a prayer card. We will be glad to provide you with the name, address and birthday of a retirement-age pastor or widow so you can pray for and communicate with them. You may even find an opportunity for a service project or meeting a particular need if the person is local to your area.

How many people are currently helped by Mission:Dignity?

More than 2,800 individuals receive assistance each year. Approximately 60% of the recipients are widows. One out of four recipients is a pastor’s widow age 85 or older.

How much assistance is provided to recipients?

Individuals can qualify for $275 each month. Married couples are eligible for $375. For the neediest persons with at least 25 years of ministerial service and much lower (poverty-level) income limits, these amounts may be doubled to $550 and $750, respectively.

Is Mission:Dignity a 501(c)(3)?

Mission:Dignity is a ministry of GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, which is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (federal Tax ID#75-0939949).

I wish I could do more, but I am on a modest income myself. Is there another way I can help?

We appreciate your support and generosity. One of the ways you can increase your participation is to get others in your church or Sunday school class involved. We can provide you with an information packet that contains a DVD and brochures for everyone. Your prayers are also most appreciated.

How are recipients selected for the program?

Prospective recipients must complete an application for assistance and provide basic personal and financial information. Applicants must have at least 10 years of paid Southern Baptist service, be 65 years of age or older, plus meet guidelines for income and assets. The income cap is indexed to the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Where does the money come from to fund this assistance?

Mission:Dignity depends primarily on the direct gifts of individuals, businesses, Sunday school classes, groups and churches throughout the SBC. We also have some permanently endowed funds that produce income specifically for distributions to recipients. We will distribute more than $10 million in assistance this year.

How do I change my donor contact/recurring gift information?

To change your donor information, please call the Mission:Dignity office at 1-877-888-9409, option 2.

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