Arizona welcomes the Western Adventist Foundation (WAF) as it transitions from the Pacific Union Conference office in Westlake Village, Calif., to its new home in Tempe, Ariz.

Employees were greeted with an unusually hot summer, a wetter-than-usual monsoon season, and desert landscapes — a stark contrast to the Pacific breezes that wafted over the mountains from Malibu. Employees were encouraged to endure the elements just a few more weeks until the mild Arizona autumn and winter descends.

Doors opened officially on July 18 at the new location at 1225 W. Washington, Suite 120, Tempe, AZ 85281.

Corporate attorney Karen La Madrid explains the mission of this valuable ministry to the Adventist Church. “WAF was incorporated on April 14, 1997, by the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. A separate legal entity operating under the guidelines established by the Pacific Union Conference, WAF’s purpose is to provide centralized trust management, planned giving and related services to Adventist entities and individuals wishing to benefit Adventist causes and missions. The current list of WAF clientele includes various conferences, universities, colleges, academies, hospitals and ministries that serve nationwide and worldwide interests.”

“In particular, WAF assists with the creation and management of charitable trusts, charitable gift annuities, and other planned gifts intended to benefit Adventist charities," says Jim Brown, WAF director. "Services for each client are particularly tailored. Some contract for accounting services only, while others prefer that WAF undertake the asset management and trust administration duties required of a fiduciary.

“WAF’s board of directors, when compared to other Adventist institutions, is unique in that the board is comprised of representatives from WAF’s client base. Thus, the clients themselves help develop guidelines and policies which are ultimately utilized in providing the services for which the clients are under contract.”

Why the move to Arizona? Basically it was due to the ever increasing housing costs that make moving to an area like Westlake Village difficult for personnel transitioning from other parts of the country. With the great increase in business volume, finding the additional Adventist personnel was challenging. In late 2004, the PUC executive committee voted the move to Arizona.

“With new staffing now in place, WAF’s goals include providing improved and expedited services to all its clients.”