NEWS & PRESS RELEASES

BBC Foundation posts top investment return performance

BBC Foundation continues to produce high performance in its long-term investment results, following a management strategy designed to succeed in bull and bear markets.

For the six years ended September 30, 2008, the average annual return after investment fees was 7.61 percent. This performance ranked BBC Foundation in the top 30 percent of a peer group of 224 balanced funds.

"We are very pleased with our investment results," said Mark Robbins, a CPA and president of BBC Foundation. "We strongly believe God has given us a stewardship responsibility to our donors and Baptist Bible College & Seminary students. Strong investment returns allow us to provide consistent income to planned giving donors and more scholarships to students who will graduate from BBC&S and serve as ministry leaders around the world."

"Our goal is to catch most of the upside in a bull market and minimize the downside in a bear market. We have been able to accomplish that, even with the recent market turbulence."

Active Investment Committee
BBC Foundation's active investment committee works with an advisor to oversee 15 investment managers in varied asset classes. This diversification strategy is similar to the model followed by several large foundations and was implemented in 2000.

The investment committee created a written investment policy and decides the allocation of funds between assets classes and hires the best managers possible for those asset classes. The overall strategy has helped to reduce the risk in the portfolio.

BBC Foundation manages all BBC&S investments, including endowments and capital campaign funds. Most assets relate to planned gifts, such as charitable remainder unitrusts, gift annuities, and revocable charitable trusts.

Planned Gifts, Increased Income
By creating planned gifts, donors can increase their income and reduce their taxes. Planned gifts help BBC&S students in two ways:

First, surplus investment results can be used by BBC&S annually.

Second, funds can be designated to BBC&S at the passing of the donor.

"Based on our diversified investment strategy and results, we believe BBC Foundation is a worthy place for a donor to place funds," Robbins said. "Christian donors want stability, financial benefits, and the ability to make an eternal difference with the assets God has given them. We can help donors accomplish all three of those goals."

To learn more about planned gifts and their financial benefit, click here.

BBC Foundation assists individuals with biblical retirement and estate planning and builds financial resources for Baptist Bible College & Seminary and other biblically-based ministries. For details, go to www.bbcfoundation.org or call 800.451.8668.

Baptist Bible College & Seminary offers 38 academic programs, from a one-year Bible Certificate to PhDs. Programs are available through the Clarks Summit campus and several distance learning options. To learn more, go to www.bbc.edu or call 570.586.2400.

Posted on: 10/29/2008 9:39:32 AM

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