TRINITY’S FINANCIAL SIGNPOSTS
Signposts point the way or direction
(November, 2011)
As you will be already aware, a 2011 deficit of $5,000 was budgeted It is now anticipated that, barring any significant surprise, the year will likely show a Break-even or small Surplus.
While this will be a satisfactory result we must always focus on our
Income Sources and not overly rely on ongoing Cost savings.
Signpost Data:
- Total Offerings
- 2011 is now estimated will be about $3,000 behind budget
- However, this is not an insurmountable shortfall with your support and there being so many wonderful worship and music occasions between now and Christmas
- Regular Offerings: to October are running at $5,000 or 3% above the 2010 achievement which is reversing our recent declining trend
- Extraordinary Offerings (Foundation Gifts): which contributed $9,500 in 2010 are only providing $3,000 this year. This is offsetting the encouraging Regular Offerings trend. It is also a clear reminder of how beneficial the UCC Foundation Gifting programs can be, both to Trinity as well as to the donor though generous personal income tax savings
- Fundraising: a very successful recent Holly Fair, $2000 over budget and Musical Revue $750 above budget, will be offset slightly by lower income from several other projects including lower Zehrs/Gift Card sales despite an increased choice of Grocery Card stores
- Expenses: regular expenses have again been well controlled
- The costs to establish our new Ministry Team were hard to forecast but happily there will be a $5,000 saving from Moving Expenses
- Other Ministry and Personnel savings ($10,000) have been offset by higher Property Maintenance and Repair Expenses ($10,000)
- Surplus/Deficit: these factors and trends point to a Break-even or small Surplus
Signpost Action:
- Offering Changes:
- Please consider whether it has been some time since you last adjusted your Regular Offering (e.g. Envelope or PAR). It still costs about $30 per week, per regular giver, to provide the Trinity Ministries of Worship, Pastoral Care, Outreach and Christian Education. As your Income Tax is reduced by over 40% of your Offering, as a Charitable Donation, consider adding this tax saving to your Trinity Offering
- Summer or other Interruptions: please try to make up any missed financial support as Trinity offers a 52 week ministry
- Fundraising: Gift Cards provide convenient Christmas Gifts and White Gift Sunday offerings while your TUC earns up to 5% of your purchase. Now Zehrs, Freshco, Food Basics grocery cards are all available every Sunday
- Legacy Conversation Evening: the Foundation Gifts have all
been donated by folks who were aware of the approaches discussed at
this event. If such Extraordinary Offerings are to continue to support
us in the future then this is great way to get information.
We
hope that these Signposts and your continued valuing of all the Trinity
Ministries and Way of Life will encourage your continued support.
Your Finance Committee