Make a Pledge

If you prefer to have a pledge entered on your behalf, please contact the church office for a printed pledge form that you can complete and return either in person or by US Mail. On receipt, a pledge will be recorded in UUC Connect in your name.

Why Are Pledges Important?

Each year, around 75% of the funding for the ministries and programming of UUC are received as unrestricted donations from its supporters. When UUC is planning the budget for the year of programming ahead, it's important to know the plans that UUC's donors have for giving during that year. A budget can't make commitments to funding for staff or programming that won't be supported by the eventual gifts received from donors. Pledges are the lifeblood of the church and make the continuous operation of its ministries and programming possible.

What Do Pledges Support?

Pledges made each spring for the upcoming fiscal year support the pay and benefits for ministers and church staff, including cost-of-living increases and increases in healthcare benefits; all the programs that are run by our ministers, staff, lay leaders, and volunteers; ongoing business expenses such as UUA dues, insurance, audits, software licenses, and equipment maintenance; utilities and maintenance of the building and grounds; and banking and investment expenses.

How Much Should I Consider Pledging?

There is no minimum amount to participate, and all gifts are important and cherished. Every household must consider multiple factors when deciding what their support for UUC can be, especially when thinking about their resources and opportunities for a full year. We encourage you to use the Aspirational Giving Guide to help discern your pledge to UUC.

How Do I Fulfill a Pledge?

The methods of giving gifts in fulfillment of pledges are the same as making a one-time gift. For details, see Ways To Give on this website.

A pledge can be fulfilled at any time during the programming year it is intended to support. All gifts toward pledges must be received by June 30 of the year following the start of the pledge. If it makes sense for you to give before December 31 for tax purposes, you may certainly do so. If you prefer to give regular monthly or quarterly gifts that add up to the total of your annual pledge, that is supported as well.

Prepayments made before July 1 can be held in restriction on your behalf. Prepaid gifts are only used in the year the pledge is intended to support. If you wish to make a prepayment, simply indicate on your gift what pledge year you are giving to when you make your gift.

As you make gifts toward your pledge, they are recorded in your giving record in UUC Connect. You can see your progress on your pledge at any time by logging in and looking at your Giving page, or contact the church office. In addition, statements updating you on your progress are sent to all pledging households.

I Pledge Every Year. How Can I Make That Easier?

UUC encourages long-term supporters to join the Evergreen Supporters group on UUC Connect. Members of this group commit to renewing their pledges every year, and this is done automatically on their behalf at their prior-year amount and using the same method of giving (e.g. check, stock, credit card). Evergreen Supporters can contact the church office at any time to change their giving level, frequency, and method of giving. With the peace of mind that they are automatically included in each year's giving campaign, Evergreen Supporters can help the church ensure that it has the funding required to meet the needs of programming and operations in the coming fiscal year.

For more information and to join, see Evergreen Supporters on this web site.

Thank You!

Thank you for taking the time to consider your opportunities to give your financial support to UUC. These are the most common ways that supporters make donations, but there are certainly other options. If you have an opportunity to give using a means not described here, please contact the church office to discuss and prepare for such a donation.

Each of us also supports UUC and its mission through our myriad volunteer efforts as we work for justice and equity, teach and mentor children and youth, share the inspiration of worship and music, offer our leadership and service, volunteer our time in support of church operations, advocate for those whose voice needs our support, and reach out to one another in care and compassion. Thank you for all the forms of your generous and joyous support of UUC!