Giving to St. Andrew's

Gifts from parishioners are the primary means by which the church receives the financial resources to carry out this mission. Donations can take a variety of forms depending on their purpose and the church's needs. The major forms of giving to the church are:

Annual Giving

St. Andrew's depends on regular, ongoing and reliable annual donations to meet its annual operating expenses and to support its outreach program. The majority of these donations are provided as pledges. It is hoped that all members of St. Andrew's pledge. St. Andrew's endorses the principle of tithing and encourages its members to strive toward this Biblical goal.

In the fall of each year, during the Stewardship Campaign, all parishioners are asked to indicate their pledge to the church for the subsequent year after prayerful reflection on God's gifts in their lives. Pledge cards are distributed by mail; you can also download a pledge card or submit your pledge online. The total pledge figure is used in the formation of the operating budget for the following year. Pledge payments can be made at any frequency (from weekly to a single annual payment) to suit the donor and are usually collected during the Sunday plate offering.

2007-2008 Annual Campaign

Stewardship FAQs

2007-2008 Budget Overview

Trends in Pledging at St. Andrew's

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Capital Giving

This type of gift is usually targeted to a specific purpose or project outside the general operating budget of the church. The purpose either can be determined by the church, as in a capital campaign, where the appeal for funds is linked to a specific goal, or by a donor who wishes to stipulate the use of the donation. In the latter case, the donor and the church must agree on the gift's use before the church accepts the donation.

St. Andrew's most recent capital campaign was initiated in 2004. Members, friends and former members of St. Andrew's pledged more than $350,000 to complete needed repairs and renovations to church property.

Memorial Giving

When a church member dies, the church often receives donations in the memory of that member. The disposition of these accumulated gifts is a sensitive matter that is determined by the church and members of the bereaved family.

The church keeps current a list of possible projects for the family's consideration as well as offers a set of Endowment Funds. These options are intended to make possible a comforting and appropriate use of the received gifts consistent with the life of the deceased member and the wishes of the survivors.

Planned Giving

This type of giving can take a variety of forms. The simplest and best known is a bequest to the church in the donor's will. Other forms include Life Insurance, Charitable Gift Annuities and Undisbursed Retirement Assets.

As part of sound financial planning, all parishioners are encouraged to have a will. St. Andrew's hopes that its members will consider contributing to the ongoing Christian mission of the church in their passing, just as they have during their lives. St. Andrew's can be named as beneficiary on insurance policies or as a recipient of undisbursed retirement assets. The church can also be a partner in a Charitable Gift Annuity wherein the donor receives regular income during his or her life from the principal, with any remaining principal left to the church upon the donor's death.

These and other planned giving arrangements can have substantial tax benefits for the donor and the donor's estate. Those who wish to include St. Andrew's in their will, or to contribute through other types of planned giving, are urged to contact the church, either directly or through their attorney, to ensure that their wishes are clear and that the details of an eventual legal transfer of estate assets are properly arranged. Information brochures are available from the church and its web site, but professional advice is advised.

The Episcopal Diocese of Washington also offers a Planned Giving program called the Second Century Fund.

More information on Planned Giving is available through The Episcopal Church Foundation:

Endowment Funds

St. Andrew's has created five endowment funds to be an attractive means for a member to make a lasting gift, comforted by the knowledge that those funds will forever further the church's mission, guided by the management rules described herein. Memorials and planned gifts can be designated for any of the following endowment funds, or designated for a specific use that is agree on in advance by the church. The goal of the endowment funds is that the majority of each fund will survive in perpetuity while an annual portion of each is used to contribute to St. Andrew's mission in the world.

Preservation Endowment Fund—for the preservation and maintenance of the church’s buildings and physical plant.

Prange Education Endowment Fund—for the Christian educational activities of St. Andrew’s.

Outreach Endowment Fund—for ministering to the needy in the world and sharing with them God’s message of love and compassion.

Congregation Endowment Fund—for the spiritual needs of St. Andrew’s parishioners through worship, fellowship and stewardship.

Episcopal Student Center Endowment Fund—for the support of students residing in the Episcopal Student Center and its spiritual programs

The funds are managed by a five-member Endowment Funds Board. Board members are selected by the Vestry for three-year terms and may consult with investment professionals as deemed necessary. The Board operates in accord with all diocesan financial guidelines and reports to the Vestry quarterly.

During any year, expenditures from each fund are limited to 8% of the previous year-end balance. The Board, with Vestry concurrence, decides on suitable projects consistent with the purpose of each fund. Unexpended funds in any year do not accumulate outside the fund, but return to the original fund.

For gifts of $25,000 or more, the donor may be able, with prior church approval, to arrange for a separate or new endowment fund.

Restricted-use or non-liquid gifts will be reviewed by the Board to ensure the church is able to use the assets in accord with the principles of the Endowment Funds.