Planting for a Sustainable Future

Announcing the NUUC Annual Pledge Drive June 1, 2024-June 30, 2024

Your landscape team is currently busy working with a native plant and sustainable design landscape expert in planning the development of our outdoor spaces.  We know what we want:  a natural playscape area for the children, a memorial scatter garden, spaces for gathering together socially, and, of course, we want to highlight the natural beauty of our location with appropriate and environmentally sound improvements that speak to our core values. 

This time of year is great for planting, and it is also when we ask our members and friends to let us know what financial contributions you expect to make to the congregation during the 2025 fiscal year (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025).  We use that information to plan our budget—but of course, a budget isn’t just a set of numbers, it is similar to the landscape plan.  We want our financial resources to support how it is we want to be together, and how we express our values in the world.  We want to bloom to the best of our ability, and in ways that ensure we remain a vibrant congregation in years to come.   For maximum transparency and in keeping with our commitments to radical democracy, our budget is approved each year in a public meeting of the congregation. 

NUUC members and friends expect the congregation not only to provide worship and religious education for us and our families, but we also count on the congregation to be here for us in intensely personal ways: when we celebrate, when we grieve, when we work for justice. We want the congregation to thrive and to continue to be a vital resource not only for ourselves, but for our communities, the world, and the future. The Annual Pledge Drive is the time of year when we each consider what financial support we can offer the congregation so that it is here when it is needed most.

During last year’s pledge drive, we were able to meaningfully increase the pledges to our operating budget that had dropped off some while we were focusing so heavily on our building renovation.  This year, we are focusing on planting for sustainability.  We are aiming at expanding our programming in terms of providing more adult enrichment opportunities, social gatherings, and opportunities to engage with social justice and the arts.   Our children’s religious enhancement programs have already grown significantly since our return to our building, and we want to nourish that continuing growth.  We would also love to expand our financial basis just enough to provide for our long-term financial health (traditionally, our budgets have been tight enough that we lack any cash buffer that might be needed for emerging exigencies).  This year as well, we will need to add the mortgage/loan payment on our expanded facility into the operating budget.

We depend on those who have signed the membership book as well as friends of the congregation to make pledges that cover our operational costs. All contributions needed and appreciated!  If you have participated in the worship services, religious exploration materials and classes, social and service opportunities, please pledge! Doing so will allow us to continue offer these same benefits to the people in our congregation, community, and beyond.

The Annual Pledge Drive is the time of year when we each consider what financial support we can offer the congregation so  that it is here when it is needed most. 

How Can I Pledge?

1. You may be contacted by a steward—a fellow member of the congregation who is helping us with our pledge drive.  You can share your intentions with your steward or fill out a pledge card that your steward provides you. To request a visit from a steward, write minister@nuuc.org
2. You can fill out a pledge form online by clicking here
3. You can set up an automatically recurring donation by clicking here If you already have a recurring donation established, but you want to increase it, please write to minister@nuuc.org and ask that we cancel your current contribution. You can then use the link above to establish a new recurring donation at the new amount.

What is a Pledge? Is it Binding?

A pledge is a commitment to donate a certain amount of money to the congregation during the fiscal year. It is a statement of intent. It is not a legally binding obligation. Do not hesitate to pledge because you are uncertain about your financial situation. Pledges can be adjusted in times of shifting resources. We depend upon your pledges for the continued health and wellbeing of our congregation. 

What is the Annual Pledge Drive?

Each spring the NUUC asks its members and friends to make a commitment of financial support  (a pledge) for the coming fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). Our Annual Pledge Drive provides the  funds that make the life of our congregation possible.   Finances are important during the Annual Pledge Drive, but we also want to give everyone an  opportunity to reconnect with the congregation and to reflect on what we do together. 

Do I Have to Pledge?

Making and fulfilling an annual pledge deepens our faith and sustains the UUFC for the benefit  of us all and the wider community we serve, but you are not required to make a pledge.  Per current NUUC bylaws, you do not have to pledge to be a member, although you do need to make a financial contribution (of any size) at least once annually.

The congregation depends upon pledges to fund almost all our operating budget, so all are encouraged to make a pledge.

What Are My Payment Options?

How Much Should I Pledge?

Our Unitarian Universalist Association  has developed a Fair Share Giving Guide (below).  This is simply a guide – some of our members pledge at higher  levels and others at lower levels, based on their capability. Everyone’s circumstances are different. We recognize and deeply embrace the financial  diversity of our congregation. To make this a congregation for all, we ask those who are able to  carry a greater financial commitment to our beloved community.