Giving to the

Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester

Your Annual Pledge -- Making a pledge and following up with regular contributions is the primary way that members and friends give financial support to the Fellowship. The annual canvass pledge drive is in March. Generosity of members and friends during the canvass and, to a lesser degree, the success of other fundraisers determine the amount of financial resources available for our church and form the basis of the annual budget which the congregation approves in May.

Restricted Funds -- It is also possible to give to the UFWC by donating to restricted funds. Restricted funds are earmarked for a specific purpose. These funds are separate from the operating budget (except for the Repair and Replacement Fund) and are funded by special donations and fundraisers. Money donated to one of these funds is kept in the fund until the money is spent for the specified purpose. 

There are four permanent restricted funds. Three, the Capital Projects Fund, the Endowment Fund, and the Social Action Trust Fund, are not funded from the annual budget. A fourth permanent restricted fund, the Repair and Replacement Fund for major building repairs, is funded by the annual budget, but may receive gifts.

Capital Projects Fund -- The Capital Projects Fund is a restricted fund that accepts planned and special gifts that will be used to meet the expenses of major improvements to the church building and grounds and for major maintenance work.

Endowment Fund -- The Endowment Fund is a restricted fund that accepts planned and special gifts for future needs. The Endowment Fund income will be used for identified special or enduring programs or projects and will not be used to meet the Fellowship's annual operating budget expenses.

Social Action Trust Fund -- The Social Action Trust Fund is a restricted fund that distributes money to social action projects originating in West Chester, PA. Social action groups in the Fellowship are encouraged to make recommendations to the Board for granting awards or donations to deserving local social action groups.

Repair and Replacement Fund -- The Repair and Replacement Fund is for non-standard major maintenance and repair of the building or systems within the building not normally anticipated as ongoing annual expenses.

Other Restricted Funds -- In addition, the board may create short-term restricted funds for a special purpose. Examples are a fund to buy a new piano or a memorial fund.

How You Can Give -- To contribute to any of the special funds, a check should be written payable to "Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester" or simply "UFWC" with the memo line specifying which fund. This should be mailed to the office or placed in the plate. Donations to these special funds are 100% tax deductible.

Current Gifts: An outright gift of money or property is the simplest method.

Planned Giving Program -- The Board of Directors has established the Planned Giving Program of the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester to allow members of the congregation to make charitable bequests or other types of planned gifts that name the Fellowship's Endowment Fund or the Capital Projects Fund. (You can pick up a brochure in our lobby.)

• Gifts Given at Death (Bequests):
  A gift of money or property can be made as a statement in a will.

• Gifts to a charitable remainder trust where income is paid out to the donor during the donor's lifetime or for a certain number of years, and then the trust's assets pass to the Fellowship's Endowment or Capital Projects Fund.

• Gifts to the Pooled Income Fund (similar to a mutual fund) administered by the Unitarian Universalist Association. The donor receives the income during his/her lifetime, after which the assets in the fund pass to the Fellowship's Endowment or Capital Projects Fund.

• Gifts to a charitable lead trust where income is paid out to the Fellowship's Endowment or Capital Projects Fund, but the donor's family or others receive the trust assets after a certain number of years or at the time of the donor's death.

• Cash.

• Investments such as stocks, bonds, and mutual fund shares. Appreciated investments are a wise choice because of tax benefits to the donor.

• The benefit of a retirement plan.

• The ownership of benefit of a life insurance policy.

• Other property of value.

• Gift items for the church, with prior approval of the Donations and Memorial Gifts Committee.

Current Gifts, except gift items for the church:
     Cyndy Bullaughey     email: income-treasurer (@ufwc.org)

Gift items for the church:
     Rev. Mero    email:  minister (@ufwc.org)

Planned Giving:
     Cyndy Bullaughey     email: income-treasurer (@ufwc.org)

Administration -- The Fellowship's Endowment Fund and Planned Giving Program are administered by the Endowment and Gifts Committee of the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester. This committee is composed of the Board president, the treasurer, the minister, and the finance committee chair. Three additional members will be appointed by the Board of Directors after the Endowment Fund market value equals at least forty thousand dollars. All other funds are administered by the Fellowship's Board of Directors.