Fraternal Basics

                                                        

                       

                        

                         

  What makes Thrivent Financial for Lutherans different?

In some ways, fraternal benefit societies resemble commercial life and health insurers. Both offer insurance. Both are chartered and licensed in accordance with state insurance laws. Both are regulated and examined by insurance departments of the states in which they operate. But from there on, differences are significant.

Fraternal benefit societies are required by law to operate on a not-for-profit basis. They each have specific charitable, benevolent, fraternal, social, educational, moral or religious purposes. They conduct programs and activities for the benefit of their members and the communities in which they live. Members of fraternals share a common ethnic, religious, philosophical or professional bond. Although fraternal benefit societies serve their members in different ways and for different purposes, they all engage in programs and activities that help others.

Fraternal organizations operate through a lodge system, with members forming local groups and meeting regularly to carry out their purposes. They have a representative form of government. Fraternal benefit societies such as Thrivent Financial for Lutherans are a special mix of business and volunteerism. Although fraternals have evolved to meet the changing needs of their members, their mission remains the same: to help their members help themselves and others through charitable and benevolent activities; and to provide opportunities for their members to achieve financial security.

Thrivent Financial is not alone in its commitment to volunteerism. The fraternal benefit system, consisting of nearly 100 societies similar to Thrivent Financial, has a long history of encouraging and promoting volunteer activities. Nearly 10 million Americans belong to fraternal benefit societies today. These unique not-for-profit organizations offer their members opportunities to achieve financial security and to help others. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is unique in many ways, and one of our most important attributes is the work our member volunteers do to help build better communities.

  Why counting volunteer hours is important!

Volunteerism is a major reason why the federal and state governments have granted us tax-exempt status. Elected officials have historically recognized that we meet critical community needs more effectively than government programs ever could. However, we can't take this recognition for granted. As times change, government budgets get tighter and elections bring turnover in the leadership ranks. Government perceptions can change as well.

Our tax-exempt status is a privilege, not a right; it's given to us, and it can be taken away. The fraternal tax exemption provides the seed money our members use to leverage even greater impact through volunteerism. Without it, our ability to improve lives and communities would be significantly impaired.

  What is a locally supported activity?

Locally supported chapter activities are fund-raising, administrative, social and hands-on service activities (e.g., chapter meetings, confirmation recognition and other social activities, etc.) hosted by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans congregational or community service teams that do not utilize funds from any of the three chapter Care programs.

  Why it's important to report these activities

Reporting locally supported chapter activities can help protect Thrivent Financial’s special tax-exempt status—a status that allows Thrivent Financial to provide the funding and resources to help our members help others through volunteer action. Accurately reporting chapter related activities as well as those conducted in our congregations, helps draw a more complete picture of our organization’s volunteer impact. We have an obligation to communicate this complete picture to elected officials, regulators and others to demonstrate the societal good they enable when they support our tax exemptions. By earning this support for our special tax-exempt status, Thrivent Financial continues to provide funding and resources to help our members help others through volunteer action. Dollars raised, people attending, hours volunteered all add up. Every dollar raised and every single volunteer hour worked makes a difference! In your suburb or city, county and region, in your state, what our volunteers are doing is noticed. The information reported tells a story and creates a positive impression for those watching. Encourage members to continue volunteering and helping, whether it's through corporately funded or locally supported chapter activities. Always remember, volunteering does make a difference!

  How can I become involved?

Contact your local chapter board and discover the volunteer opportunities in your community.  Click here to obtain contact information for your chapter board.  If you are not currently a Thrivent Financial for Lutherans member, click here to obtain more information on how to join.

This site is intended to provide quick resources for our volunteers. For complete descriptions of the products and services provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, log on to Thrivent.com