Pension Protection Act of 2006 extension
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 is being extended through 2009 as part of the Emergency Stabilization Act. It is an opportunity for church members age 70 and a half and older who own an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to direct gifts of up to $100,000 to the church from the IRA without reporting the transfer as income. The contribution must be transferred directly from the IRA to the church. Historically any withdrawals from an IRA would be taxed prior to making a gift. Now a contribution can be made directly from the IRA without being taxed. This is just one more way along with gifts of stock that members can consider as a significant way to support their community of faith, particularly as the end of the year approaches. As always, consult your tax advisor.
Church Financial Campaign Service
Westminster Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, N.Y. Photo by Robert Kukla Church Financial Campaign
Service provides a
wide array of services to empower congregations, presbyteries and
other church related agencies to secure financial commitments from and deepen
the stewardship awareness of their faith communities. This in turn enhances the
organization's ability to better serve through mission and ministry.
CFCS empowers congregations to raise funds for new buildings, renovation,
major maintenance, property purchase, debt reduction and mission. The work of
CFCS includes helping sessions and committees bring a message of grace, abundance
and joyful giving to members. CFCS also works with congregations to develop strategies
for enhancing annual operating programs by increasing member's stewardship understanding. CFCS works with presbytery committees and staffs to develop funding strategies
for a wide assortment of mission needs such as new church developments, camp
and conference center development and local and national mission funding needs.
These services range from assessment and strategy development to campaign
support and implementation.
Skilled CFCS consultants provide
valuable insights and experience that have produced successful fund-raising programs
for churches large and small for more than 50 years. CFCS-guided campaigns emphasize
proven principles of stewardship that result in goals being met and increased
financial commitments being obtained. Contact us for
a consultation regarding your specific funding needs.
The CFCS Stewardship Assessment survey is designed to
assess a congregation’s
giving culture when compared with “best practices” from participating
congregations. Take a look at some of our survey results
after one year.
CFCS makes a difference
by Bob Kukla, CFCS consultant
As a part of the CFCS team, I have been blessed to work with
the folks at Westminster
Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, N.Y. Their current campaign seeks funds — apart
from
facilities needs — to complete a wonderful revitalization of a drug-infested
block on the west side of Buffalo. They have partnered with the city to acquire
property and tear down old multifamily units. Westminster buys the property,
Habit for Humanity organizes the rebuilds and finds homeowners. The church not
only has been the resource provider in funds, but has a child tutoring program
for the residents, a micro-loan program to encourage businesses and a business
mentoring service. This is the kind of witness that other congregations need
to see — all
of their resources can work to make a difference. On top of that, they're just
a wonderful community of faith that deserves our support in any way we can.
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