Gifts made to memorialize or honor a person enrich a congregation’s ability to provide ministry, but sometimes conflict can arise between the expectations of donors and those of the church. A policy can help keep things clear. (Photo: Photo © momius – Fotolia.com)
A huge, unrestricted gift may seem like the answer to a prayer for many congregations, but it can actually cause big problems if the groundwork is not prepared in advance. The United Methodist Church explores ways your church can prepare. (© f9photos – Fotolia.com)
Not all gifts are helpful to receive. A gift acceptance policy can help when a church has to refuse a gift that either does not fit the needs of the congregation or would create a financial or legal liability. The Episcopal Diocese of Washington offers this sample policy. (Photo by Deklofenak, via Big Stock Photo.)
Does your congregation have a gift acceptance policy? If not, check out this article from the National Council of Nonprofits and get a leadership team together to craft one. Clear communication and good gift boundaries make generosity more effective for your ministry and rewarding for donors. (Photo: Asenat29, Creative Commons)
You never know when your congregation may receive a gift that raises moral, legal or ethical questions, but you can be better prepared if you think through the issues a bit and form a policy. This sample gift-acceptance policy from the United Methodist Church can guide you. (Photo: Asenat29, Creative Commons)
