Authority on Faith-Based Nonprofits Brings Extensive Experience to Foundation

Contact: Matt Baxter, Mission Increase Foundation, 503-906-1622, mbaxter@missionincrease.org

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 22, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Mission Increase Foundation (MIF) today announced Wesley K. Willmer, Ph.D. has been named Executive Vice President for the national granting and training foundation. As Executive Vice President, Willmer will oversee the educational programs area and assist in the strategic planning efforts, marketing and communications campaigns, collaborative relationships and regional foundation development.

Willmer comes to MIF after serving six years on the board of Winchester, VA. based Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and two and a half years as ECFA Senior Vice President. Willmer will be working closely with MIF President, Dave Farquhar, in continuing to heighten MIF's thought leadership position in biblical generosity. Willmer will also be taking a substantial leadership role in helping take MIF’s biblically-based educational material to a new level.

"As a national thought leader and spokesperson, Wes has a unique understanding of and passion for the faith-based nonprofit community, and brings a wealth of conceptual wisdom and practical leadership experience." noted Farquhar. "We are looking forward to working with Wes to help consolidate and refine our training and consulting practices in a strategic manner."

In accepting this position, Willmer stated, "It is a special privilege to join the quality team at MIF and its unique mission to assist national and international nonprofits to increase their effectiveness in fulfilling their missions."

In its 11 year history, MIF has served over 2000 non-profits with over 7,500 individuals attending over 68,000 hours of training to increase mission effectiveness through services such as consulting, training and grants. MIF has offices in Colorado Springs, Dallas, Los Angles, Newport Beach (CA), Phoenix, Portland (OR), Raleigh, San Francisco, Seattle, Columbus and Springfield (OH), and Kansas City.

Willmer joins MIF as it continues to expand across the country and launches an international emphasis. "God has blessed us with some tremendous growth opportunities." said Farquhar. "We look forward to his wisdom and network of key relationships from across the country, as we continue to serve more ministries and help them grow, both nationally and internationally."

About Wes Willmer
Prior to serving on the staff of ECFA, Willmer served as a leader, professor, researcher and administrator in four higher educational institutions. His longest service was for 19 years as Vice President for University Advancement at Biola University. He also served at Wheaton College, Roberts Wesleyan College and Seattle Pacific University.

Willmer is responsible for 23 books and many professional journal articles. His most recent books include "The Prospering Parachurch: Enlarging the Boundaries of God's Kingdom," "God and Your Stuff: The Vital Link Between Your Possessions and Your Soul" and "Revolution in Generosity: Transforming Stewards to be Rich Toward God."

Throughout his career he has initiated and directed more than $1 million dollars in research grants to study non-profit management practices.

Willmer has served in a consulting role to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. In addition, he has served as a volunteer on numerous boards, including six years as the chairman of the Christian Stewardship Association, as a founding board member of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education's (CASE) Commission on Philanthropy, and founding board member and executive committee member of the Christian Leadership Alliance (CLA) board and vice chair of the ECFA board.

Willmer received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Education degree in Counseling and Guidance from Seattle Pacific University. He received a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Higher Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He has been designated a Credentialed Christian Nonprofit Leader (CCNL) by Azusa Pacific University and the Christian Leadership Alliance.

About Mission Increase Foundation
Mission Increase Foundation is a national granting and training foundation that seeks to transform lives for Christ through effective giving and training. Since 1999, Mission Increase Foundation has provided over 2000 ministries with free training on fundraising, and board governance, and has awarded over $18M in matching grants to Christian ministries. These ministries have used the training plus the matching grants to raise over $140M in new funds. In addition to nine branch office across the country, Mission Increase Foundation also has strategic relationships and affiliations with local foundations in Kansas City, KS, Columbus, OH and Springfield, OH.

In 2010, Baylor University published an extensive study on the unique nature and impact of MIF. This study can be found at MIF's website at www.mif.org.