Being Part of the Vision: Highlights from 2025 NBA Giving Week

What does combating injustice, technology and a garden all have in common? They are all elements mentioned during our recent Giving Week that illustrate how NBA works to nurture communities of compassion and care!

This year’s theme, “Bold Visions and Dreams Made Real,” was inspired by Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” During the week we showcased just a few of the many people who work to carry out NBA’s mission each and every day.

“Just like our founding ancestors, I pray that you may understand that your work, our work of care and compassion, belongs at the heart of our lives as Christians,” said Mark D. Anderson, NBA President & CEO. “I encourage you to find those opportunities that you can care more deeply and identify where your voice and actions can bring compassion to God’s people, especially those who are disenfranchised and pushed to the margins.”

NBA Staff and Trustee Highlights

Among the individuals highlighted was NBA Trustee Rev. Sydney Avent, who explained how her faith and experience collaborating with people from diverse audiences helped inform her decision making when considering her vision for NBA in the future.

It also included staff like Rev. Angel Luis Rivera-Agosto, who described NBA’s Community Engagement Program’s justice work as a balance between a ministry of tenderness and care, as well as the courage to denounce the “structural sins” present in systems that deny the lives of individuals, society, and Creation. Or Cameron Cunningham, who spoke about our Mental Health & Wellness Program creating spaces for people to be seen, heard and empowered. And Kara Whitehouse who explained how NBA’s Grant Programs are where NBA’s incredible legacy of stewardship meets our core values by placing dollars directly into the hands of dreamers with bold visions of compassion and care for their communities.

Partner Highlights

We also featured powerful testimonials from partners and grant recipients, including:

• Rev. David Hargrave of Juliette Fowler Communities
• Rev. Kinsie Tate of Restore Clergy
• Zaemelys Ramos-Rodriguez of Bees & Lavender
• Sophia Barnett and Rev. Dr. Milton Keys, imPACT Fellows
• Taphelyn Tapeh, who used a Young Adult Leadership Development Grant to start the Seeds of Faith Garden in her faith community

Technology Update and Liturgy Resources

In addition, we shared our first ever LinkedIn article about our new Associate Vice President for Information Technology, Tyler Hoffman. While Tyler will focusing on driving technological innovation, efficiency and collaboration across NBA in this role, he will also explore ways to develop tools and resources to help other nonprofit organizations build tech capacity and making digital transformation more accessible across the sector.

Finally, we were excited to share liturgy resources centered around this year’s theme of Bold Visions and Dreams. These resources were developed by Rev. Stephanie McLemore, an NBA staff partner and member of the Executive Leaders Peer Learning & Wellness Group, to help congregations reflect on vision and impact both individually and collectively.

Thank You for Being Part of the Vision

None of this would be possible without our generous donors. We’re especially grateful to the nearly 20 first-time donors who joined us during Giving Week! Your support fuels this work and helps us build a future rooted in justice, equity, and love.

Together, we are making bold visions real.