DONATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When would an automatic contribution be deducted from my account?

On your bank’s bill-pay sign up screen, you can specify the timing of your contribution to be monthly, semi-monthly, weekly, etc. You determine the frequency and amount. In most cases, you may also determine the specific date of the recurring donation.

To which funds may I contribute?

You may designate any of the following funds: General Fund (Primary fund which supports the core ministries of the church), Building Fund, Missions Fund, and Benevolence Fund.

Can I change my online giving amount, date, or frequency?

The great news is you are in complete control of your contributions. You may alter the amount and frequency of your contributions at any time. Most online banking options respect the fact that your money is yours to do with as you please, and allow for options that put you in the control seat of your finances.

May I donate or give online?

Yes! We welcome online gifts. To do so, use our Donate feature powered by Stripe. However, the best way to give is to arrange for your donation via your bank’s bill pay service. This is because, in most cases, the service is free, and it allows you to monitor the balance on your bank account (checking or savings) and to alter the amount at any time. Giving in this manner eliminates the 3% charge often attached to credit card processing.

Do you have envelopes available for me to mail in my tithe?

Yes! If you would like for us to mail you a supply of envelopes for your tithe contributions, please send your name and address to info@newsongsd.org. A supply of envelopes is also available at the Connection Center on Sunday mornings. If you typically place your tithe check in an offering basket during worship services, you do not need to use an envelope.

Why does NewSong have a budget?

A budget process ensures mission-driven planning for expenditures that leads us to wise stewardship and accountability. We prayerfully hope that it also encourages contributions toward our mission-driven goals.

How does NewSong come up with its total estimated giving amount?

In order to wisely steward the finances we receive for God’s work, we monitor income and outcome weekly. Projections are made according to giving trends, attendance trends, and anticipated economic realities while maintaining an appropriate posture of faith for growth in the future.

How does NewSong determine the amounts allotted for each ministry?

We consider the missional role each ministry area contributes to our overall goals based on the needs of the coming year. We also look at other factors, such as the fundraising potential of each area or the need for additional financial assistance to support people/programs in various areas. The amounts are also weighted according to the varied expense realities of programming for each ministry area.

Why does NewSong give a percentage of its income to missions and benevolence?

In addition to the missional work of the local church for its own body and surrounding communities, the Church has a biblical mandate to support global missions in taking the Gospel of Christ to the “ends of the Earth.” Since we expect that individual Christians will personally contribute to such efforts above and beyond their financial support of NewSong, we choose to model obedience to global outreach by allocating monies for efforts beyond NewSong.

What do you mean by “Facilities/Operations” on NewSong’s annual budget?

This category includes mortgage payments, utilities, office equipment, consumable supplies, postage, etc.

What is the difference between the General Fund, Building Fund, Missions Fund, and Benevolence Fund?

IRS rules allow for a non-profit organization to designate a “few” accounts receivable that qualify for tax-deductible gifts. These are the four funds that NewSong has allotted for “designated giving.” Designated giving means that A) you can specify monies given for the purpose of any of these four areas and they will only be used in the designated area; B) your contribution will be posted to your NewSong giving record; and C) you received no goods or service in return for the contribution.

The General Fund is what we create our annual operating budget out of. This is the pizza, if you will, and the other funds are extra toppings. Therefore, giving our regular financial support to the General Fund is crucial to our planning and continued operation.

The Building Fund has been, and will be used again, to collect monies for new building projects. Its current use is to pay for facility maintenance and improvement needs beyond the planned expenditures in the General Fund. The monthly mortgage and any additional pay-down on principle are budgeted out of the General Fund.

The Missions Fund was created to receive contributions for seasonal short-term teams and projects. Any additional funds are used to enhance what we already do for global and local missionaries and outreach.

The Benevolence Fund, also called the Love Fund, was created to allow people to give above and beyond what we regularly allocate out of the General Fund for the emergency financial needs of our church body.

Why can’t I give designated funds for specific ministries (e.g., students, food pantry, mom to mom)?

Part of the answer refers back to the IRS regulation mentioned in the question above. Beyond that, allowing random designated giving to any ministry of the church that one desires to support can create as many mini-budgets as we have givers. Instead of operating as a whole—a body—we can fall into the dangerous area of having favorite projects—parts of the body that are valued over others. We believe that making prayerful decisions with the good of the whole in view is a wiser stewardship of God’s monies and calling on us as the body of NewSong than allowing complete autonomy in designated giving.

Whom do I contact if I have more questions?

Contact Dennis Bachman at info@newsongsd.org or 909.394.9488, ext. 206.