“Creative Ways to Give”
A Capital Campaign Commitment
You may choose to contribute a specific amount at time intervals of your choice. For example, you may decide on a commitment of $10 each week, or $25 each month, as a capital commitment. Some people prefer an annual gift, such as $500 per year, or give one lump sum. Creative ways to give cash gifts include giving a portion of quarterly dividends or interest received. Some people have purchased less expensive items than they had planned and donated the amount they saved. Others have donated all the money they saved using coupons. Another choice is to give a portion of annual tax refunds, bonuses, or credit card cash back rewards. And do not forget to check with your employer to see if they offer matching funds to a project such as yours.
A church member recently came up with this idea – she is removing her landline phone saving her $45 per month. She is also saving a couple hundred dollars per month by refinancing her mortgage. She is adding $105 of the mortgage savings to the phone savings for a monthly capital commitment of $150, or $5,400 over 3 years. Done this way, will add $0 to her monthly budget.
A COMMITMENT OF ASSETS
Using assets to fund a commitment often allows a person to make a more substantial gift withoutdepleting cash savings. Assets may be liquidated first, with proceeds used to meet a campaigncommitment. Some assets, such as STOCKS or PROPERTY, may be directly transferred resulting in a potential tax savings to the donor.
Other assets, which may provide funds to give, can be found in places people seldom search, such as basements, attics, garages and sheds. Many valuable, unused items are stored away, even forgotten, in these locations. Proceeds from the sale of such items can assist in strengthening the organization, so other people may be blessed.
What have others found as they have searched?
| JEWELRY | STAMPS OR COIN COLLECTIONS |
| SPORTING GOODS | ANITQUES |
| GLASSWARE | GUNS OR TOOLS |
| BASEBALL CARDS | FURNITURE |
| RECREATIONAL VEHICLES | USE OF TIMESHARE VACATION UNITS |
| WATCHES | ARTWORK, PAINTINGS, SCULPTURE |
What might you find among the possessions you have stored away that could be put to better use?
A COMMITMENT BASED ON ALIFESTYLE ADJUSTMENT
Is there one thing you spend money on now, that you would be willing to sacrifice for the sake of helping with the capital campaign? Many people contribute this way. The money they would have spent on the item they give up is given as a capital pledge instead.
For example, if a person purchases one beverage per day at $1.50 each, her or she may chose to sacrifice buying that one beverage and set aside the $1.50 each day for the campaign. That doesn’t sound like a big sacrifice, but it does add up:
$1.50 per day = $10.50 per week. $10.50 per week = $546 per year
$546 per year = $1,638 in a 3 year Capital Campaign
A couple making this small sacrifice together could give $3,276!
What adjustments have people made in order to support their campaign?
EAT OUT ONE LESS TIME PER WEEK
WASH THEIR OWN CAR
CUT THE CABLE TV
ONE LESS ROUND OF GOLF
VACATION CLOSER TO HOME AND DONATE THE AMOUNT SAVED ON AIRFARE
DELAY A MAJOR PURCHASE AND DONATE PAYMENT AMOUNT
Giving based on an adjustment you make does not increase your budget, nor does it deplete cash savings or reserves. Most everyone can give up something if they are willing.
A family of five from Kentucky each decided to give up something. Dad spent $5-7 five mornings a week stopping for coffee and a pastry on his way to work. He opted to bring a mug of coffee from home and contribute $5 per work day to the family commitment. Mom spent $6-9 each day going out to lunch. She packed her lunch and gave $5 per work day. The three children had jobs and each contributed $10 per month from their earnings. As a family, they sacrificed Thursday evening pizza night, saving $20 per week. Here’s how their individual sacrifices added up:
| DAD – $5 x 5 work days x 52 weeks x 3 years | = $3,900 | |
| MOM – $5 x 5 work days x 52 weeks x 3 years | = $3,900 | |
| CHILDREN – $20 x 52 weeks x 3 years | = $1,080 | |
| FAMILY – $20 x 52 weeks x 3 years | = $3,120 | |
| Total given over 3-year campaign | = $12,000 |
The commitment from this one family was significant – more than they had imagined was possible when they began the process. Quite amazing is the fact that they did not INCREASE their BUDGET by $1. In fact, they actually reduced their overall outflow. And the effort they made together for the cause of their campaign and its ministry will be remembered forever.
CONCLUSION
Will you help reach our goal? No one person can do the job alone. But if everyone does the best they can, the task can be successfully accomplished. No one will be pressured to give. Amounts ofcommitments will remain confidential. Every gift, no matter the size, will be valued and appreciated. Every prayer is just as valuable. Thank you!