Rev. Dan Potaznick, Director of Generosity & Strategic Development, Annual Report: 2025
“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”
FY 2024-2025 Annual Report
Director for Generosity & Strategic Development, June 2025
Growing in Gratitude and Generosity
As your Director of Generosity and Strategic Development, I am honored to witness how our synod continues to live into the abundance God provides. Throughout fiscal year 2024-2025, we have seen remarkable examples of faithful stewardship that strengthen our financial capacity for ministry and witness across Arizona, Nevada, St. George, Utah, and beyond.
Mission and Ministry Fund: Creating Sustainable Support
The Mission and Ministry Fund continues to be a cornerstone of our synod's commitment to supporting vital ministries in historically underserved communities. This fund provides long-term, stable partnerships rather than short-term grants, ensuring that essential ministries—which may never become fully self-supporting—receive the ongoing care they need.
Mission and Ministry Fund Growth
From January 2024 to January 2025, the Mission and Ministry Fund grew from $2.58M to $2.78M, a 7.9% increase. This remarkable growth came through $255,000 in donations, $242,000 in investment gains, while distributing $293,000 in ministry grants that directly support our communities. our communities.
Expanded Impact
Thanks to the Synod Council's visionary decision to designate 45% of all undesignated gifts to the fund, we've doubled the ministries we support—from 8 to 16 for 2025/2026. This expansion reflects our strategic commitment to creating possibilities for historically underserved communities, including Latine, Indigenous, youth, and young adult ministries.
Special Thanks
We extend heartfelt gratitude to Mount of Olives, Living Christ, and Living Hope congregations for their significant gifts that strengthened the Mission and Ministry Fund this year. Your generosity embodies Christ's love in action.
Strategic Developments in FY 2024-2025
Communicating Jesus
This year, we witnessed remarkable examples of how strategic stewardship empowers congregations to strengthen their ministry capacity. At Crossroads Lutheran Church, what began as a workshop to address $30,000 in debt culminated in an Easter Sunday announcement that the congregation had raised over $75,000—more than double their goal. This resurrection story exemplifies how clear communication about generosity's impact inspires abundant giving.
Additionally, I collaborated with Lisa Higgenbotham of the ELCA Foundation to review and bring recommendations to Synod Council for updated gift and endowment policies, strengthening our synod stewardship framework for the future.
Connecting People
We strengthened mission support relationships by:
Visiting 21 congregations since the last Synod Assembly to preach, teach, and/or support stewardship initiatives
Meeting with six church councils to discuss generosity and stewardship
Preaching at three congregations connecting giving with discipleship
Sending personalized thank you stories to all synod congregations
Sharing impact stories about our global partnerships and advocacy ministries (LAMA and LEAN)
A new donor CRM is in development and will be launching this summer to further enhance our ability to connect with supporters, identify potential donors aligned with our mission priorities, and invite recurring donors to support our shared ministry.
Endowment Growth through Faithful Stewardship
We celebrate the establishment of two new endowments in FY 2024-2025, reflecting the growing trust and confidence in the Grand Canyon Synod's financial stewardship. These endowments will provide sustainable support for ministry that extends beyond our lifetimes. Our collaboration with the ELCA Foundation has strengthened our planned giving program and expanded legacy gift opportunities.
Creating Possibilities for the Future
As we look ahead, we're focused on several key initiatives:
Nurturing the Mission & Ministry Fund through targeted donor engagement and strengthening relationships with potential supporters
Expanding Stewardship resources on the GCS Webpage to provide more accessible resources, templates, and information for leaders and congregations
Building a comprehensive Grand Canyon Synod Case for Support to articulate our vision and needs as a synod to congregations, donors, and granting organizations
Strengthening the GCS Stewardship Team to equip and empower leaders through stewardship education, webinars, and articles that support congregational generosity
A Word of Gratitude
Thank you to the congregations, individuals, and leaders who have embraced our synod's commitment to growing in gratitude and generosity. Your faithful stewardship strengthens our shared ministry and extends Christ's love throughout Arizona, Nevada, St. George, Utah, and beyond. The story of your generosity is a testament to the Spirit's work among us.
With deep appreciation for your generous hearts and faithful spirits,
Rev. Dan Potaznick, CFRE (he/him)
Director of Generosity & Strategic Development
Office of the Bishop, Grand Canyon Synod - ELCA
