This policy
is important as a way to coordinate fundraising activities and to provide
efficient decision making for such events.
Every year
we receive many appeals for special offerings and fundraising events: from
the National Church, Diocese of Georgia, religious groups, community
agencies, philanthropic organizations, parish groups and parishioners. We
simply cannot honor every request made; therefore we need a way which
includes prayer, discussion and intentionality to discern the ministries
which God is calling us to support.
While a
limited number of special offerings and fundraising events can be helpful,
especially as a way of raising awareness, too many fundraising activities
are counter-productive, both in terms of “going to the well too often”, and
in diminishing our capacity for corporate giving through our parish budget.
(The Rev.)
Richard Nelson
Rector
November 5,
2007
Fundraising Policy
1.
When contemplating a fundraising event / special offering, check with the
Parish Administrator as to availability of date, space, etc. The Parish
Administrator will bring your request for date, etc. to weekly staff meeting;
availability of date, etc. is determined by the Staff.
A.
Dates and space are reserved at the parish on a first come, first served
basis. Other events, etc. will not be “bumped” from the schedule except by
mutual agreement. We try not to schedule two events at the same time, and
strongly discourage the scheduling of events, meetings, etc. at the same time as
scheduled daily worship services.
B.
Events will not be scheduled during certain times of the year:
i. Lent, Holy Week and
Easter Week (fundraising events / special offerings may be proposed which are
consistent with “Lenten Discipline”)
ii. Epiphany or the 1st
Sunday of Epiphany
iii. Pentecost Sunday;
and,
iv. “Stewardship Season”
(October and November).
2.
After a proposed date, etc. is determined, bring your fundraising
proposal in writing to the appropriate committee. The proposal should
briefly state:
A. who, what, where, why
and how of the proposed fundraising event / special offering;
B. the proposed recipient
/ purpose
C. a budget or financial
outline indicating the anticipated “overhead” for the fundraising event /
special offering, the anticipated source(s) for “overhead”, and the anticipated
amount hopefully realized from the fundraising event / special offering
D.
If your proposed fundraising event is for Outreach, your proposal should
be presented first to the Outreach Committee for review as to date, scope and
purpose of the proposed fundraising event / special offering. In this way, the
Outreach Committee will be able to better coordinate Outreach Fundraising. The
Outreach Committee may endorse the event and present it to, or ask your group to
present it to, the Vestry for approval. Contact the Rector in writing or by
email at least 14 days before a scheduled Vestry Meeting to insure your proposed
fundraising event / special offering is on the Agenda, and that written copies
of your proposal are distributed to Vestry Members in advance of the meeting.
E.
Proposed fundraising events rising out of the Outreach Committee will be
approved by the committee, and presented in writing to the Vestry. Contact the
Rector at least 14 days before a scheduled Vestry Meeting to insure your
proposed fundraising event / special offering is on the Agenda, and that copies
of your proposal are distributed to Vestry Members in advance.
F.
Proposed fundraising events intended for other than Outreach purposes may
be presented directly to the Vestry in writing. Contact the Rector at least 14
days before a scheduled Vestry Meeting to insure your proposed fundraising event
/ special offering is on the Agenda, and that copies of your proposal are
distributed to Vestry Members in advance.
3.
The Vestry will approve all fundraising activities at St. Thomas. Vestry
Meetings are scheduled for the third Monday of the month, unless otherwise
announced. Proposals should be submitted to the Rector in writing not
less than 14 days before a scheduled Vestry Meeting.
4.
Unless the Vestry makes an exception, there will be no more than eight
fundraising events / special offerings in a calendar year. Fundraising events
will be approved on a first come, first served basis.
5.
There are a number of perennial fundraising events / special offerings
which are included in the standard of eight per year. Perennial
fundraising events / special offerings include but are not limited to: St.
Martha’s Guild Bi-Annual Christmas Tour of Homes; Special Offering for Episcopal
Relief and Development; Special Offering for Episcopal Youth and Children’s
Services; and Thrift Store Dinner/Fashion Show.
6.
At the discretion of the Rector and Vestry, a fundraising event / special
offering may be undertaken in response to an emergency situation (e.g. in
response to a natural disaster). At the Rector’s and Vestry’s discretion such a
fundraising event / special offering in response to an emergency situation may
be approved as an extra fundraising event / special offering or as a substitute
for an already approved fundraising event / special offering.