Dear Southridge Church Family,
As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, our church stands at an important crossroads. With the arrival of our new pastor, we are filled with hope for the future and eager to grow our ministries and impact. Yet, transitions like this are not without challenges. The past year has brought changes to our leadership team, staffing and congregation, and we now face a pressing need to stabilize and strengthen our financial foundation.
Your year-end gift is critical in helping us break even, attract new talent and continue the vital work of our ministries. Together, we can ensure our church thrives in this new chapter.
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2024 Recap—Incredible Progress, Let's Finish Strong
As of November, we've received $637,888.14 in revenue with expenses projected to total our budgeted $859,124.09 by year-end. This leaves a gap of about $221,235.95, which we’ve been covering through our reserves—currently around $500,000.
Our goal is to break even this year and sustain that momentum into 2025 with the recently approved budget. Your support is crucial to helping us achieve this and preserve our financial foundation for the future.
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While we’ve made progress, the reality is that we need to grow both attendance and income to sustain and expand our ministries. Our church is deeply blessed by the dedication of many part-time staff and volunteers, but limited resources make it challenging to remain competitive in attracting key talent, such as a new children's director.
The encouraging news is that we’re moving in the right direction—recent months have brought increased attendance and giving, offering hope for what’s ahead.
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Give with Purpose: Impact Lives and Unlock Tax Benefits
If you are in a position to do so and feel called to make a financial impact yet this year, here are several options for year-end giving that can support our church's mission while potentially maximizing your tax benefits:
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Stock Donation: Donating appreciated stocks or securities directly to the church can provide significant tax advantages while supporting our ministry. This method often allows you to avoid capital gains taxes while receiving a tax deduction for the full market value.
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IRA Charitable Distributions: If you are 70½ or older, you can make qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) directly from your IRA to the church. This can satisfy your required minimum distribution (RMD) while excluding the amount from your taxable income.
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Donor-Advised Funds: Consider establishing or giving through a donor-advised fund, which allows you to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax benefit, and then recommend grants from the fund over time.
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Estate Planning: Including the church in your estate planning through wills, trusts, or beneficiary designations can create a lasting legacy while potentially reducing estate taxes for your heirs.
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Request a Matching Gift from your company: Reach out to your employer (community relations department usually) and ask how you can submit a request for a charitable donation match.
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Cash Gifts: Traditional cash gifts, whether through check, online giving, or automatic bank transfers, remain a vital way to support our ministry.
For any of these giving options, we recommend consulting with your financial advisor or tax professional to determine the best strategy for your specific situation. Our church office is available to provide any necessary documentation or assistance in facilitating your gift.
Thank you for your continued support and generosity in advancing God's kingdom through Southridge Church.
In Christ,
Southridge Church Consistory