While written for a general non-profit audience, these five ideas will work well for church year-end giving. Be sure to check out the first one! (Image: EpicTop10, Creative Commons)
A better way to address a budgetary shortfall
Too many congregations use a tired — and less effective — approach to filling a year-end gap in their budgets: They send out letters begging for donations, sometimes even using veiled threats that the church will close. There’s a much better way, says this article from Church Law & Tax. (Photo: Steve Jurvetson, Creative Commons)
Give your church a year-end budget bump
As the year’s end approaches, many churches worry, “Will we end the year in the black?” Columnist Karl Vaters suggests doing this one simple thing that both expresses gratitude and lets congregants know what the church needs to avoid an unintentional short fall. It’s not too late to get thank you letters in the mail. […]
Educate congregants about year-end giving strategies
Are you helping congregants fully maximize their desire to support your church’s ministries? Consider using the information in this Charity Navigator article to facilitate a conversation about the tax benefits of giving. If you don’t educate and don’t ask, congregants are not likely to invest as fully as possible in your faith community. (Photo: Creative […]
Seven Standards for Year-End Giving
Courtney Martin offers seven standards donors may wish to consider when making year-end charitable gifts. Although not directed toward churches, how would your congregation’s mission and ministries stand up to these tests? What are your standards as a donor? (Photo: © genotar1 – Fotolia.com)
