The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints decided to organize the Development Office in 1971. The Church decided to base the new organization after the BYU organization because of its success in fundraising. The responsibilities of this new department are to organize and conduct fundraising opportunities for the different organizations of the Church. Even though the operation had a tremendous increase in the fundraising responsibilities, Brigham Young University was not neglected. A considerable amount of the funds received each year were designated to BYU. The fundraising abilities of the organization have increased considerably since 1971 and continue to increase.

The LDS Foundation (1982-2005) handled all donations to the Church that are not tithes or offerings.

The LDS Foundation was established in 1971 as Church Education Development, and became the LDS Foundation in 1982. The LDS Foundation was the central coordinating agency for all donations given to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints beyond tithing or fast offerings. The foundation is under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Brigham Young University Annual Giving Fund was an extension of the LDS Foundation. The organization was renamed LDS Philanthopies in 2005.