Offerings: Ways to Donate

Offerings (monetary gifts or donations) are used by St. Stephen's Memorial Anglican Church to pay expenses and to provide resources and ministries for parishioners.
Offering Envelopes:	Offering Envelopes are available to members through the Office Administrator or Envelope Secretary. Monetary gifts are placed in the specially numbered envelopes (for confidentiality) and then placed on the Offertory Plate during the worship service. If you would like to have 2012 Offering Envelopes, please contact the OFFICE to request them.
Pre-Authorized Payment Plan:	Parishioners may find it more convenient to enroll in the Pre-Authorized Payment Plan (PAP) offered through the Diocese of Huron. By completing a simple form and providing a voided cheque, parishioners can have their offerings automatically debited from their bank accounts on the 10th, 21st or 25th of each month. Please contact the Office Administrator for more information.
Special Offering Envelopes:	At certain times in the year, an extra offering envelopes will be made available through a newsletter or at the back of the Church. The Special Offering Envelopes correspond to Lent, Easter, Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas. The donations received through these envelopes go towards the general operating fund of the Church unless otherwise stated when distributed.
Memorial Donations:	Memorial Donations are accepted at St. Stephen's Memorial Anglican Church. Donations should indicate who the memorial is in memory of and who the income tax receipt should be sent to. Memorial Donation Cards are available from the Office Administrator to help in this process.
Loose Collection:	Loose donations that are placed on the Collection Plate are not donations that can be traced to a donor. These donations are considered "loose" and are deposited in the general operating fund - no income tax receipt will be issued for such donations.
Church School Envelopes:	Children participating in Sunday morning Church School Classes are encouraged to make small donations and could be seen as a way to teach children about tithing ~ perhaps parents will encourage them to tithe their allowance. Donations will go towards the Church School expenses and tax receipts will be issued to the family of the children.

Other Financial Information

Income Tax Receipts:

If an individual makes a donation and makes their contact information available to the Office Administrator and/or the Envelope Secretary, they will be issued an income tax receipt for their donations to St. Stephen's Memorial Anglican Church. Income tax receipts for regular offerings by members are usually issued in January or February of each year. Memorial Donation receipts are sent out as they occur for non-members.

Monthly Budget Statements:

At the end of each month, a budget statement is compiled by the Treasurer. This statement is given to the Wardens and members of Parish Council. It is also available at the request of parishioners through the Office Administrator.

St. Stephen’s Memorial Anglican Church

Fundraising Policy

Policy

All fundraising must be approved by Parish Council in advance of the event.

Definitions

1. Fundraising: the soliciting and gathering of money by requesting donations directly from individuals and/or in exchange for the purchase of goods, services or event tickets.

2. Parish: St. Stephen’s Memorial Anglican Church, London

Application

This policy applies to fundraising:

1. Initiated by any one or more of: the Parish council, groups and committees affiliated with the Parish, and individual members of the Parish.

2. Whether the event is on or off Parish premises.

3. Ventures held jointly by the Parish and other non-Parish groups or individuals.

Intent

The intent of this policy is to:

1. Ensure there is a designated coordinator responsible for the event.

2. Coordinate the use of Parish facilities and resources through one central point.

3. Ensure the frequency and nature of events does not result in volunteer and/or donor fatigue.

4. Ensure the disposition of funds raised address the needs and priorities of the Parish.

5. Ensure Parish properties are duly cared for, adequately protected and insured.

6. Ensure the safety and well being of persons participating in church events.

7. Assist in the planning and successful execution of the event.

8. Ensure the diocesan policy pertaining to gaming is adhered to e.g. the prohibition of lotteries, 50/50 draws etc.

9. Ensure the diocesan policy and laws pertaining to the use of alcoholic beverages are adhered to.

10. Identify who will contact the Parish Treasurer to arrange a joint custody bank deposit of the event proceeds as required in the Parish Financial Management Policy

Procedure (this will become an application form)

1. Apply in writing, on form provided, for Parish council approval.

2. Date of request

3. Indicate who is responsible for coordinating the event along with contact information.

4. State the reason for the event.

5. Include a brief description of the event.

6. How money will be raised.

7. Disposition of funds raised.

8. Date, time and duration of the event.

   1. Additional prep and clean-up time, if required, prior to and following the event

   2. Additional time on days other than the event

9. What Parish resources will be required

   1. front money

   2. specify room(s) to be used

   3. office assistance e.g. posters, notice in newsletters, bulletins, fridge reminders, announcements, other specify

   4. access keys

   5. kitchen facilities

   6. tables and chairs

10. Number of people expected at the event

11. Will food be served?

12. Will alcoholic beverages be served?

13. Will there be any gaming or lotteries at the event?

14. Who is responsible for collection of funds and preparation of joint deposit with Parish Treasurer?

Prepared by: Chuck McEwan

December 11, 2006