The Cornerstone Society

Join the Cornerstone Society

LSSI relies on many faithful friends who thoughtfully provide gifts to carry out its mission. Many have “responded to the Gospel” by remembering LSSI through wills, beneficiary designations, and other types of deferred gifts—confident their future gifts will be used in support of LSSI’s ministry. LSSI founded the Cornerstone Society as a way of thanking its friends who have made plans to support our mission through a deferred gift. The Cornerstone Society recognizes these friends of LSSI for the tremendous blessings their gifts will bring to others in the future.

I love LSSI’s ministry. Serving LSSI for nearly 40 years was an honor … It gave me such great joy to know my efforts indirectly helped so many people. By remembering LSSI in my estate plan, I know that future generations will be served with care, love, and respect for their dignity. LSSI deserves our support now and in the future.
Dixie Downes

In addition, The Cornerstone Society recognizes members of LSSI’s Lifetime Giving Program. This lifetime membership recognizes and honors LSSI’s most generous donors for their cumulative and consistent support. The lifetime members are philanthropic leaders of LSSI, and their impact is significant. Members have established endowed funds within the Cornerstone Foundation to benefit our remarkable ministry. Others have given support to already established endowed funds. While others have achieved their lifetime status solely through their longstanding support of LSSI through their beautiful annual gifts. This membership honors donors who have cumulatively given $50,000 or more during their lifetime.

Planned giving helps fuel LSSI’s mission

At Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), our critical services promote dignity, enhance health and well-being, and help people reach their full potential. Your thoughtful generosity continues LSSI’s 157-year legacy that enables us to serve over 50,000 children, adults, and seniors annually across Illinois.

Lifelong Lutherans Leave Legacy for LSSI

As lifelong Lutherans, John and Liz Rudy were taught from a young age the importance of giving back to their communities. The Downers Grove residents and members of Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest have supported LSSI for many years, and that rich relationship prompted them to remember LSSI with an undesignated bequest in their estate plan.

“We’ve always tried to find ways to support our community through Lutheran-sponsored organizations because we feel strongly about the tradition of Lutheran giving and social service,” said John, former chair of LSSI’s Board of Trustees. “It’s logical for us when we do our estate planning to include LSSI.”

When he was working for BMO Harris Bank, John served three terms on LSSI’s board as chair of the finance committee and provided an important perspective for LSSI leadership as a corporate executive. Upon completing a third term, he took a break for several years until he was asked to step in as chair.

Liz worked for many years and has always been an active volunteer. “Most of my support of LSSI has been at the congregational level,” said Liz. “When we were members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Downers Grove, I was particularly active with women who are members of LSSI’s Women’s Network. We supported LSSI’s Get on the Bus Program and other programs.” Liz continues to help out and support LSSI through network activities.

“Because we are blessed by having enough in our lives, we are compelled to engage in estate planning and be good stewards of our resources,” said John. “To make a bequest is a fairly simple thing for people to do. We know that LSSI will use any future gifts to best serve its clients.”

We’re here to help you meet your goals!

Our team would be happy to speak with you in confidence about your giving goals, with no obligation.

Name: David Novak

Title :Vice President for Advancement

Phone: 847-635-4671

Email: david.novak@lssi.org

Already included us in your estate plan? Let us know