How UUCB Works Financially
UUCB – like all UU congregations – is an autonomous member congregation within our the Unitarian Universalist Association of congregations (UUA).
We do not receive any money from the denomination. This means that ALL the money that it costs us to operate, we raise ourselves.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO OPERATE?
Our annual operating budget is approximately $1,000,000. This pays for our staff (Minister, Executive Director, Director of Family Ministry, Office Administrator, Music Director, Organist, Section Leaders, Youth Choir Director, Connections Coordinator, Facilities staff, Childcare providers), our building costs, equipment (copier, computers, sound systems, etc.), utilities (lights, gas, sewage, phones, internet, water, etc.), supplies and other costs for running programs (music, worship, religious education, etc.), and our support of denominational services (to help the UUA offer programs and guidance, provide curriculum, and spread a wider voice in the religious landscape).
HOW DO WE GET MONEY?
UUCB – like other UU congregations – raises money in five ways:
Pledges
UUCB relies on pledging from Members and Active Attendees to account for about half of its operating income. Unpledged donations will usually supply another 5% of income. This is really the core of our income.
Rental income
UUCB raises approximately a third of its income by renting out its space to other groups (community groups, weddings, memorials, etc.). Rental income usually covers day-to-day expenses of operating the building, but not big expenses like the furnace replacements and renovations. That means members are getting a “free” building, since we also do not have a mortgage, and are only paying for ministry, music, religious education, and administrative costs.
Fundraisers and Program Activities
UUCB raises approximately 10% of its income by holding fundraisers (auctions, holiday fairs, concerts, jewelry table, etc.) and offering programs, such as Wisdom Workshops and the Book Table.
Plate
UUCB raises less than 2% of its revenue from Sunday collections (after giving away half of the plate to other agencies in the social justice field).
Endowment
We also draw about 4% of our operating revenue from our endowment. In an ongoing effort to increase our sustainability in our current facility, the board has earmarked a growing portion of endowment revenues toward providing a fund to support maintenance and upkeep of our nine-acre campus and buildings.
About Pledging
We ask people to pledge or donate from 2 to 10% or more of their adjusted gross income. As one friend put it, we are asking for a gift from you that is SIGNIFICANT to you; a gift that is an expression of the value you place on what this church offers in the world, in the community, in your spiritual and family life.
