Community Starts in the Kitchen
WUUC Annual Budget Drive
This year’s theme for our annual budget drive is Community starts in the kitchen. As we come together in our homes to nourish ourselves and our loved ones, we strengthen our connections and feed our spirits. Your gifts to WUUC sustain our community and give us the strength and means to help feed the world. When we commit our time and resources to WUUC, we create a beloved community for ourselves, the broader community, and all who come through our doors.
2021-2022 Budget Drive
The annual budget drive is the time each year when we reflect on the importance of WUUC to ourselves, our families, and to our greater social mission. We believe it is essential that we have a vibrant Unitarian Universalist Church presence in our local community to provide an open-hearted and open-minded welcome to all who may seek us out. A well-funded, fiscally sound church speaks of the commitment and dedication of its members to the Unitarian Universalist faith and its sustaining principles and beliefs.
WUUC Cook Book
Thank you to everyone you contributed a favorite recipe along with their pledge this year. You can view the online WUUC Cookbook here. You can also still purchase a WUUC apron to help celebrate our cooking theme and support the church (email adavis@wuuc.org).
Make Your Pledge Today
You can still make your pledge right here online. You can also increase your pledge here.
Drive Goals
The goal for this year’s drive is $355,000 (an increase of ~18% over last year). Your generous financial support will help insure that WUUC can:
- Ensure fair compensation for our minister and staff in the context of the regional recommendations of the UUA.
- Account for increases in the cost of running our programs.
- Be a good steward of our building and grounds.
- Attract and retain new members, including those with young families vital to the church.
- Re-invest in restarting and re-invigorating church life post pandemic.
- Ensure WUUC financial stability into the future.
- Pursue our congregational mission to provide a spiritual home and liberal presence in the broader community.
How We Use the Budget
It takes significant financial resources to support the level of church facilities and staff required to sustain our community. Our budget funds all programs and services, a mortgage, utilities, and ongoing maintenance and upkeep so we have a safe and inviting space to work, play, and worship. Operating expenses fall into four main categories: Staff (66%), Physical Plant (20%), Committees & Programs (10%), and UUA Dues (4%).
In addition to our new full time minister Dan Lillie, we employee the following staff.
- Director of RE, Bridget Laflin
- Engagement Coordinator, Karen Hyams
- Office Administrator, Lori Varosh
- Choir Director, Matt Smith
- Accompanist, Terry Levitt
- Bookkeeper, Devrah Bennett
- Nursery Lead, Jennifer Ikeda
- Custodian, Manny Macias
The annual budget is gathered by the finance committee with input from staff, ministerial leads, and program committee chairs. It is then reviewed by the Board and voted on by the congregation. The annual budget drive goal is determined by the annual budget needs of WUUC. The Minister is responsible for managing the staff, the leads and chairs for managing their program budgets.
Fair Sharing Giving
Giving is a personal decision based on many factors. As you determine your financial commitment, please consider giving 2-10% of your income as you are able and willing. The majority of our pledging members and friends make annual fair share pledges. Nearly 40% of our members self-report that their commitment fits within the “fair share” guideline. If everyone did so we would have an abundance to carry us into the future. We encourage you to review this table to determine which level of commitment is appropriate.
View the UUA’s Fair Share Giving Guide.
FAQ’s
Q: How do I know how much I should pledge?
We believe that members want to pay their fair share, but it is often hard to decide what that means in dollars and cents. Here’s what we recommend you consider: 2-10% of your income. We offer this broad range because we know that 10% of your income when you’re struggling to make ends meet is much harder than 10% of your income when you have few or no financial difficulties.
Q: What do others pledge?
A: The average annual pledge commitment for fiscal year 2020-2021 was $3,200, with a median pledge of $1,800.
Q: Are the church’s needs greater or less this year?
A: Greater. During the pandemic, the demands of running a virtual church required additional staff time, while maintaining the same facility expenses during the pandemic. We need to replenish our reserves to help ensure a healthy financial future.
Q: What happens if we fall short of our annual goal?
A: We have to make difficult cuts and tradeoffs, including adjustments to expenses and programs.
Q: I’m already giving time and talent, isn’t that enough?
A: The funds needed to run a church are substantial and without the generous support of members and friends, WUUC could not continue to support the services and programs vital to our community.
Q: How much does this pledge drive matter? How much of our annual budget comes from this drive? How much do other sources contribute?
A: The drive makes up 95% of our operating expenses. Other fundraisers also contribute, but we need a successful drive to ensure a healthy financial future.
Q: I already give on Sundays. Is that sufficient?
A: WUUC relies on a sustained monthly income to meet its recurring operating expenses and to cover unexpected events (like a new roof). We cannot make extended agreements (like staff contracts and mortgages) without having a guaranteed income.
Thank you!
From your annual budget drive team…
Carol Taylor: Stewardship co-chair, messaging
Kathy Fosnaugh: Stewardship co-chair, event facilitator
Jo Raymond: Stewardship Treasurer, brochure
Holly Beck: volunteer, event Zoom facilitator
Tevina Flood: volunteer, messaging, brochure
David Simon: Board treasurer
Marcia Sprang: Ministry lead
David Blomberg: drive co-chair
Stephanie Young: drive co-chair