World’s Largest Bible Translation Organization Bucks Nonprofit Fundraising Trends
Wycliffe Bible Translators
celebrated the second anniversary of its Last Languages Campaign today
by announcing it has raised nearly $250 million of the program’s $1
billion goal—marking a year of financial gains despite a continuing
rough economy.
“In the midst of the most severe economic
downturn since the Great Depression, God is providing for this ambitious
project,” Wycliffe USA President and CEO Bob Creson said. “To raise
nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in two years is impressive even in
a booming economy. In the current climate, it’s nothing short of
miraculous. We are so grateful to God, and our supporters who partner
with us to make sure that all people have access to the Bible in the
language and form that is most meaningful to them.”
Not all
charitable organizations have experienced Wycliffe’s success. Giving to
the nation’s 400 largest charities dropped 11 percent in 2009, an
October report from the Chronicle of Philanthropy found. Wycliffe’s
income increased 31.3 percent during that time, putting it in the top 10
percent of large charities in terms of growth.
More than
2,000 languages, spoken by more than 350 million people, still lack
translations of the Bible. Wycliffe’s mission is to see a Bible
translation started in every language that needs one by the year 2025.
The Last Languages Campaign, launched in November 2008, has as its goal
the gathering of people, prayer and financial resources needed to
accomplish Wycliffe’s mission.
“In spite of economic
uncertainty at home and a daunting task abroad—including political
roadblocks, security concerns, restricted access to certain locations
and the sheer number of languages yet to be translated— we are is
participating in the greatest acceleration of the pace of Bible
translation in history,” Creson said. “These financial recourses will
ensure that the mission stays on this pace.”
Wycliffe
personnel collaborate with partners and local indigenous workers to
bring Scripture to minority people groups—often overcoming injustices
like poverty, illiteracy, and inadequate access to critical health
information in the process of translating the Bible. In some cases,
Wycliffe’s work helps to preserve languages that are struggling to
survive.
Fast Facts About the Last Languages Campaign:
- 6800+ … the number of languages spoken in the world
- 2000+ … the number of languages without Scripture
- 340 million … the number of people who speak the 2,000 languages without translation
- $231,500,000+ … the amount given or pledged to the Last Languages Campaign as of October 31, 2010
- 1525+ … the number of translation programs where Wycliffe is currently at work, affecting over 2 billion people
- 5
days … a new translation program is started about every five days, down
from every 18 days before launching Vision 2025- to see a Bible
translation program started in every language group that needs one by
the year 2025.
About Wycliffe Bible Translators
Founded in 1942, Wycliffe Bible Translators exists to make the Bible
accessible to all people in the language and form that is most
meaningful to them. Wycliffe has nearly 6,000 translators, linguists,
aviators, humanitarian workers, educators and administrators, along with
dozens of partnering organizations, and is working in 90 countries on
six continents. For more information, visit www.wycliffe.org.
