Our 47th Season is highlighted by significant collaborations and partnerships, not only artistically, but also with our season sponsors! VocalEssence has partnered with Thrivent Financial in presenting our 2015-2016 Season programming as well as our biennial fundraiser VocalEssence Choralia; we are grateful for the support of this not-for-profit membership organization of Christians that for over a century has helped its member-owners to be wise with money and live generously.

Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Thrivent offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, annuities and mutual funds; it is on the Fortune 500 list, boasts an A++ rating by A.M. Best, and this year was honored by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies.”

But perhaps even more impressive is the organization’s commitment to giving back. Thrivent, whose tagline is “Connecting faith & finances for good,” is doing just that—and helping its members do the same—through a variety of innovative programs. In 2014, Thrivent and its members raised and directed $209.8 million to people in need, churches and other nonprofits. Not only that, but Thrivent’s members and its workforce volunteered more than 10.7 million hours in 2014 alone.

Watch this video about Thrivent’s Action Teams, which provide members support in making an immediate impact on causes they care about. Teams receive a Thrivent Action Kit that includes T-shirts and seed money to buy supplies and create promotional materials. Team projects have included everything from sewing dresses for girls in Namibia to a church giving challenge.

Thank you, Thrivent, for all that you do in our community!