Frequently Asked Questions about Giving

What is a “pledge”?
A pledge is a vow to donate a definite amount of money to the congregation within the congregational year.

What is the “congregational year”?
A congregational fiscal year begins on January 1 and ends on December 31.

Why pledge and how is my pledge used?
The UnitarianChurch uses all pledge payments to support the mission of our congregation –creating a vibrant, welcoming, diverse church family. More specifically, pledges support the annual budget of our congregation, which provides community events, lifespan religious education, our many social justice projects, pastoral care, worship and music, and more. Pledge income also pays for the salaries of our minister and staff and for the maintenance and operation of our facilities. Based on pledges by members and friends of the congregation, we can establish a realistic operating budget for the coming year.Those who pledge receive written acknowledgement of contributions (quarterly and annual statements) that they can use for their own budgets and for tax purposes.

Do I need to be a member to pledge?
Anyone, member or not, can make an annual pledge to the UnitarianChurch, Davenport, Iowa. Those who pledge, but have not yet chosen to become members, are known as Friends.

Do I have to pledge to be a member of the congregation?
Yes. Financial support is one of the responsibilities of membership (although this can be waived due to financial hardship). We request that all members give serious consideration to committing to 5% of their annual income to support the mission of our congregation Some congregants can easily reach or surpass this 5% level of giving. However, others find such a goal difficult. In that case, we ask them to consider an initial pledge of 3% with gradual increases each year until they are able to comfortably reach 5%. .  Those who can afford to pledge more than 5% help others who are unable to do so. If your financial situation prevents you from making a contribution, you may request a waiver by contacting the treasurer. The table on the Giving page may help you make a determination about what you will pledge.

Is it possible to “earmark” a pledge for a specific purpose?
No. As a democratic community, our budgets are created to serve the complete body of our work together. All pledges support the work of the whole congregation.

When should I pledge?
Each year in October, we kick off our Stewardship Campaign. We encourage everyone to pledge before the end of the month. If you are a new member, you may pledge at any time of year. In that case, you should pro-rate your pledge based on the remainder of the fiscal year, and then join the rest of the congregation in pledging in October for the next fiscal year.

Will I receive a bill or statement?
Regardless of how you pay your pledge, you will receive a quarterly statement indicating how much you have pledged for the year and how much of that pledge has been received.

When do I need to pay my pledge?
Payments are dueat your convenience between January 1 and December 31. We encourage you to sign up for and use automatic payment from your bank account. You can do this by contacting the church treasurer directly or through the church secretary at (563) 359-0816.

How do I obtain a pledge card?
Call the church office at (563) 359-0816 or the treasurer and ask that one be sent to you.

How can I change my pledge?
Fill out another pledge card and return it in at the office. Your old pledge will automatically be replaced with the new one.

What about non-monetary gifts to the church?
You can donate stock directly to the church, and there may be certain tax advantages for this type of donation. You can contact our treasurer or mutual fund for instructions on how to donate stock.In-kind donations, such as items donated for the annual auction and spring fair, do NOT count toward your pledge because they can’t be converted to cash to be used for our operating expenses. However, you can receive a tax form at the time you drop off the item.

How does the pledge relate to the weekly collection during Sunday services?
The money raised in the offering serves as additional income to benefit our annual budget. However, some people pay their pledge by placing a check or cash (in an appropriately marked envelope) into the weekly collection plate. If you prefer this method, you should write “pledge” and the pledge year for which you are contributing on the memo line of your check or on the envelope. We cannot guarantee that it will be attributed to you correctly without this information. For example: on special Sundays, the collection goes to an external program or organization as part of our service to the broader community.

If you decide to pay your pledge through the weekly collection, it is still very important that you complete a pledge card. This information allows us to establish an accurate budget for the coming year. We cannot establish a budget without knowing how much you plan to pledge. 

Adapted with permission from the UU Congregation of Princeton