State Treasurer Fitzgerald Reunites Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary with Lost Funds

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Great Iowa Treasure Hunt check presentation (left to right) Paul Bray, Michael Fitzgerald and Dr. Jim Tillotson

DES MOINES, IA (02/28/2020) (readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald was pleased to present a check for over $2,000 from the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt to Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in Ankeny. "This part of my job is very rewarding because I get to see first-hand the benefits of the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program," said Fitzgerald. "I hope these returned funds will help the college continue to provide excellent services for its students and staff."

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary located its lost money by receiving a letter from the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. "We are always searching and reaching out to those with lost property. This response is particularly gratifying because we know educators make the best use of their resources," Fitzgerald added. "I encourage everyone to search GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov for schools and organizations in their community. They could end up with a financial boost too!"

On behalf of Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary, Vice President of Business and Campus Operations, Paul Bray, was present to receive the check. "We take great measures to be good stewards of the resources given to us at Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary. Every gift we receive helps keep the cost of tuition as low as possible for our students. We are very thankful to the state of Iowa for the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program and for making us aware of these funds," said Bray.

Over $399 million is waiting to be claimed in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt and over $64 million of those funds are in Polk County alone. The program has returned over $277 million in unclaimed property since Fitzgerald created it in 1983.

Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report unclaimed property to the state treasurer's office. The assets are then held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits and safe deposit box contents.

Visit the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt at GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov to begin your search and make your claim today. Keep up with all of the treasurer's office programs on Facebook and Twitter.

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