About Us

The Genesis Foundation is committed to helping Christian ministries in Australia and New Zealand present the good news of Jesus in word and deed and give people the chance to respond to Him.

We do that through providing seed capital and strategic support to Christian ministries for tactical projects that will deliver long term sustainable ministry growth.

God’s Kingdom grow.

Our Vision

To see God’s Kingdom grow.

We would like to see:

  • men and women coming to a personal faith in Jesus and participating in a healthy local church, and
  • a supportive framework for new and growing churches.

We are particularly interested in receiving Ministry Grant submissions for Bible-based projects in Australia and New Zealand that include sustainable growth projects focused on:

  • Youth
  • Evangelism
  • Christian media at the sector level
  • global Christian ministries at the global level
  • Community based ministry, including sports ministry

The funds are directed towards the establishment of strategic ongoing growth projects that are likely to become self-funding after a reasonable time. Genesis does not support the regular funding of ongoing projects.

 

Supporting New Initiatives

In considering a project, Genesis pays particular attention to the strategic implications and any multiplier effect that the new project may provide.

New projects are favoured over ongoing projects. However, the organisation has to demonstrate that the new project is likely to become self-sufficient in a reasonable time.

  • If the project is not directly income based (such as a fee for service), then the organisation needs to demonstrate that new donors will be found and managed on a professional basis (such as a detailed fundraising strategic plan).
  • Many projects require funding over several years and Genesis typically provides a funding commitment of up to three years with progressively reducing grants as the new sustainability progressively increases.

What we expect from organisations we support

  • The message of Jesus is a key purpose of the organisation and, included in the project, is a chance for individuals to respond to Him.
  • the organisation publicly declares it is a Christian ministry.
  • Organisations should demonstrate a high level of professionalism in their standard of delivery. They should seek world-class practice. They should have a long-term vision and proven discipline in their operations.
  • We expect the organisation’s constitution to have a clear statement of its purpose (mission) and how it will achieve it (operating standards).
  • We expect the organisation’s Board to comprise of Christians who may be required to make a statement of faith under the organisation’s constitution.
  • The organisation’s Board approves the “business” plan (usually three years’ objectives with a detailed current year budget). The CEO will be empowered by the Board to implement the plan and be accountable to that Board.
bible study

Our Directors

David R Smith

David regularly attends a Christian church, is a  businessman and actuary. David has experience in starting and growing businesses and has an analytical approach to strategic planning. He was appointed Director in June 1998 when the Foundation was formed.

Patricia C Smith

Patricia regularly attends a Christian church and has supported David in their family businesses. Patricia was appointed Director in June 1998 when the Foundation was formed.

Peter Kaldor

Peter regularly attends a Christian church, is a businessman and has studied at Bible College. Peter has experience as a former merchant banker and growing Christian organisations. He was appointed Director in 2004.

Alan Rich

Alan is a regular attendee at a Christian church, and is a businessman, lawyer, business strategist and mentor. Alan has worked with new and growing businesses throughout his career and in many industries. He has advised and mentored a number of Christian NFPs on their strategy and growth. He was appointed a Director in 2015.

Scott Sanders

Scott regularly attends a Christian church, works with church leaders throughout Australia to establish and grow new churches. Scott has experience as a former tax lawyer, school chaplain and growing Christian organisations. He was appointed in 2015.

The Directors’ statement of faith is:

“I believe in:
The unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in the Godhead.
The sovereignty of God in creation, revelation, redemption and final judgement.
The divine inspiration and infallibility of Holy Scripture, as originally given, and its supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
The universal sinfulness and guilt of human nature since the Fall, rendering man subject to God’s wrath and condemnation.
Redemption from guilt, penalty and the power of sin only through the sacrificial death, as our representative and substitute, of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God.
The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead who is now the Lord and Judge of all creation.
The necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit to make the death of Christ effective in the individual sinner, granting him repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.
The indwelling and work of the Holy Spirit in the believer.
The one universal Church, which is the body of Christ, and to which all true believers belong.
The expectation of the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ.”