Growing to Serve Christ Campaign
The annual operating budget is recommended by the Budget Committee, approved by the Session and reported to the congregation.
We also have a Memorial Gifts Fund and Emergency Fund (which helps with emergency financial needs of our members).
Growing to Serve Christ Campaign
Our congregation is currently involved in the Growing to Serve Christ campaign. This capital campaign has enabled us to move forward on the next phase of our master plan, the Education/Administration Building. This facility is currently under construction.
Planned
Giving
In 1997, our Session approved a Bequest and Planned Giving Program. There are six designated funds as a part of this Planned Giving Program.
The objectives of the Program generally are:
To offer an extra dimension of stewardship to the congregation to make special gifts to the church. To actively encourage and invite gifts to the church through a system of education and support to prospective donors. Giving programs will be designed and promoted with the assistance of The Texas Presbyterian Foundation, a non-profit agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
To set up a system for management of the assets contributed in accordance with a set of guidelines to be established.
To provide definite directions for the use to which the principal and/or income of the special or deferred gifts will be applied and will make decisions regarding their application.
To administer the special and deferred gifts of personal assets which require special administration and/or processing to realize the intent of the donor. Cash gifts to other designated funds of the First Presbyterian Church are not included here.
Designated
Funds
1. Land and Building Fund
The principal and income from this fund is to be used for land acquisition, significant additions or renovations to the church's facility and furnishings, extending beyond the operational budget or other budgeted programs.
2. Mission and Benevolence Fund
The principal and income from this fund will be applied to special projects, mission trips, extended missions and extraordinary benevolences beyond the operational budget.
3. Christian Education and Library Fund
The principal and income from this fund is to be used for significant educational projects, lecture series, library development, and extraordinary educational needs beyond the operational budget.
4. Music Ministry Fund
The principal and income from this fund will be used for instrument (including organ or piano) acquisition, special music series or concerts, concert tours, and other extraordinary music needs beyond the operational budget.
Assignment
of Funds Received
1. Restricted Gifts
A donor may designate the specific fund into which her or his gift will be placed. The donor may indicate a preference as to the specific uses to which the principal and/or income from the contribution will be applied. In all cases, every attempt will be made to honor the wishes of the donor.
2. Unrestricted Gifts
Each devise, bequest annuity, or gift which
has not been designated as to the fund or purpose shall be allocated as
follows:
Thirty percent to the Land and Building
Fund
Ten Percent to the Mission and Benevolence
Fund
Ten percent to the Christian Education
and Library Fund
Ten percent to the Music Ministry Fund
Ten percent to the Cemetery Fund
Thirty percent to the Endowment Fund
A variety of methods will allow the donor the greatest amount of flexibility in coordination with existing tax and financial planning as may be possible including gifts through wills, life income plans (annuities or trusts), memorials, or any other vehicles that may be appropriate to carry out the orderly gifting of properties or income consistent with the donors' needs and intents.