11 Keys to Smart Church Finances Smart Church

11 Keys to Smart Church Finances

Smart Church Finances 1. The Right Stuff: www. ucc. org/finance I n t r o d u c i n g a n e w w e b p a g e

Smart Church Finances – The Right Stuff Navigating www. ucc. org/finance

Smart Church Finances 2. Equipped Leaders Treasurer, Trustees, Financial Secretary… v Position Descriptions v Separation Leadership exists to serve the church’s mission of duties v Bonding v The Minister’s (coming soon) Role

Smart Church Finances - Leadership click on Trustees

Smart Church Finances - Leadership

Smart Church Finances 3. Effective Procedures Clear, workable procedures help… v People perform well v Safeguard assets: property and people Start with “Best Practices for Handling Church Offerings!” v Enhance trust and confidence

Smart Church Finances - Procedures G r e a t r e s o u r c e s

Smart Church Finances 4. The Right Accounting System* Computerized or manual, it helps… Manage the finances v Track progress to goals v Produce timely, accurate reports that communicate v The “right” system fits the church’s needs *seeking church input Must be user friendly

Smart Church Finances 5. Reports That Communicate * Financial reports for members should… Financial reports that communicate put people at ease and in control *being developed v Be kept simple v Be timely, accurate, and complete Compare (actual/budget) v v v (MTD, YTD, Budget) (current year/prior year) Identify restricted funds Give the full picture

Smart Church Finances 6. Budgets That Inspire Giving Invite support by… v How you build it v What you call it v How you present it Try a narrative or picture format Mission Spending Plan www. ucc. org/stewardship/picturebudgets. html

Smart Church Finances - Budgeting

Smart Church Finances 7. Multiple Sources of Funding ASK!!! Does your church offer multiple giving opportunities? v Nurture annual giving v Cultivate major gifts & planned giving v Capital campaigns v Grant writing Make it easy to give: www. ucc. org/e-giving

Smart Church Finances - Fundraising

Smart Church Finances 8. Commitment to Giving How does your church model giving? People give to ministry that transforms lives v Tithe to OCWM v My church is 5 for 5 Basic Support, OGHS, NIN, STC, Christmas Fund v Support community & UCC seminaries

Smart Church Finances 9. Informed Investing You can invest with confidence… v Investing church funds – a BIG responsibility UCC Cornerstone Fund Flexible Demand & Term Notes for Individuals, Churches, UCC Entities v United Church Funds A Family of Investment Funds for Churches & UCC Institutions

Smart Church Finances - Investing

Smart Church Finances 10. Empowered Borrowing UCC churches have great options… v Church Building & Loan Fund for your first house of worship Partners in Building Program Borrowing can be challenging & expensive v UCC Cornerstone Fund Repair, remodel, build, accessibility Eco. Loans, Revolving Line of Credit

Smart Church Finances - Borrowing

Smart Church Finances 11. Problems Addressed / Accomplishments Celebrated Every system experiences problems It’s how you handle them that counts!