What is the Campus Development Fund?
Our campus was established in 1997, so our facility is over 29 years old. In 2023, we established the Campus Development Fund, an initiative to care for our campus and prepare our facilities to support the mission God has entrusted to us.
By God’s grace and through the generosity of our church family, over $1 million has already been given toward our $1.5 million goal. In addition, we have reserves set aside that allow us to move confidently into the next phase of this effort.
Because of these gifts, significant work has already been completed. Addressing aging systems, improving safety and functionality, and extending the life of our campus for years to come. We are deeply grateful. We are now entering the final phase of the Campus Development Fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Campus Development fund?
The Campus Development Fund supports significant facility repairs and improvements that occur beyond the scope of our regular operating budget. These projects help ensure our campus remains safe, functional, and welcoming for years to come.
2. What has already been accomplished?
Through the geneorsity of our church, we’ve completed numereous projects including HVAC replacements, restroom updates, parking lot improvements, lighting upgrades, playground enhancements, landscaping, and more.
3. What is the focus of this final phase?
This final phase focuses on guest-facing spaces: the lobby, the auditorium, and campus signage. These areas directly impact how guests experience Foothills and whether they feel comfaortable.
4. Isn’t it better to spend money on people rather than buildings?
Ministry always centers on people, but minitsy happens in spaces. Faithful people before us invested in this campus so we could be here today. This final phase is about stewarding those spaces so future people can encounter Jesus and grow in community.
5. Why update the lobby?
The lobby is where first impressions are formed. An updated, well-organized lobby helps guests fell welcomed, oriented, and cared for; espeically those visiting for the first time.
6. Why add an LED wall in the auditorium?
The LED wall is intended to improve brightness and clarity, not to create a flashy or distracting environment. It will be used simply and thoughtfully to support worship and teaching, helping people engage more fully.
7. Will the church borrow money to complete these projects?
No. We are committed to funding these projects through the geneorsity of the church. Some work may begin before all the funds are received, but we are not planning to borrow.
8. How can I participate?
Please pray about how God might lead you to give. You may make a one-time gift or commit to a monthly pledge between May and November 2026.
More Information
Every church has three main types of spending:
- Daily operating budgets to cover ministry programs, salaries, and typical operations and maintenance.
- Capital improvement funds to cover significant repairs or renovations every 10-15 years.
- New build funds that are used to build a new building or significant addition.
This Capital Development Fund is the second type. We need to replace all our 20-25-year-old heating and air conditioning units, renovate aging and dated facilities, and more.
- Did the church’s budget plan for this?
For the past several decades, FBC’s financial philosophy has been to operate within budgets to cover daily operations, maintain an “emergency fund” to cover unexpected repairs and smaller capital needs while covering temporary decreases in tithing, and generate a small surplus.
We’ve been directing surpluses to eliminate our church debt, which we accomplished in July 2021! Being debt-free is a huge blessing that makes us a “slave to no lenders” as the Bible warns us about.
- What will FBC do if we can’t fill the Campus Development Fund?
Since these projects are high priorities, we would plan to borrow the money temporarily and then pay the loans off as quickly as possible. We are hopeful that any cash management needs can be provided through private borrowing or our relationship with local financial institutions.
- Will the Capital Development Fund set FBC up for a better financial future?
We have developed a twenty-year vision for large-scale physical projects like these in the future. Now that we’re debt-free, we are planning to fund future projects like these through saving our annual budget surpluses.
- Are there other methods available to participate in contributing to the Campus Development Fund besides regular contributions (in-person or online)?
We have established a number of alternative opportunities for giving, including appreciated stock giving, required minimum distributions, donor-advised fund, charitable trust and more. Visit https://www.foothillsbiblechurch.org/give/.
You can give a one-time gift or set up a recurring gift. Under Fund select “Campus Development”.
