We teach board members, administrators and faculty members of theological schools best governance practices so that they can enhance their schools' capacity to provide the churches well-prepared ministers and vital scholarship.

How do we accomplish our purpose?

  • We inform those who govern about current trends and best practices in board governance and theological education.
  • We coach presidents and boards on increasing institutional capacity through governance.
  • We promote connections between boards and their faith communities to deepen relationships and provide opportunities for mutual support.
  • We collaborate with other organizations and foundations committed to the future of theological education.
  • We provide essential resources on governance.

Our products & services

  • In Trust magazine, our quarterly magazine, has been publishing cutting-edge news and features since 1989.
  • In Trust Now, our electronic newsletter, provides up-to-date news and commentary every six weeks.
  • In Trust Online, our Web site, hosts resources for boards, news about constituents, the archives of In Trust and In Trust Now, and lists of our charter members, annual contributors, board and staff.
  • Our seminars and workshops teach best practices to theological school presidents and board leaders.
  • Our board self-assessment and governance audit inventories help boards move from good to great with hard data about their performance.
  • Our governance mentors provide on-site expertise for boards facing unique challenges and opportunities.
  • Our governance helpline provides help over the phone or by e-mail to presidents and boards who need a word of advice.

Our constituents

260 North American graduate theological schools

145 Charter member schools as of November 2005 (our goal: 180)

2,116 Readers of In Trust Now, our electronic newsletter

7,641 North American recipients of In Trust magazine, including all top administrators and all board members

65 Schools that have attended In Trust seminars since 2000

24 Users of our governance helpline in 2005

15 Schools that have engaged governance mentors since 2003

36 Schools that have used board self-study tools since 2003

205 Individual contributors

We are increasingly funded by you, our constituents!

In FY2000 88 percent of our revenue came from foundations. But in FY2005, only 77 percent of our revenue came from foundations and 23 percent came from our constituents — through sales, memberships, and annual giving. As we demonstrate what we are doing for theological education, theological schools and their supporters are stepping forward to support In Trust.

We're very grateful for the generous support of these foundations:

  • Lilly Endowment Inc. 
  • The Henry Luce Foundation 
  • The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations 
  • E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation



Top Topics
Roles & Responsibilities
Challenges
Opportunities
Board Essentials

Back to Issue  Read Previous Article Read Next Article

Advertise With Us

Reach thousands of seminary administrators, trustees, and others in positions of leadership in North American theological schools — an audience that cares about good governance, effective leadership, and current religious issues — by advertising in In Trust!

Learn More

magazine