Generosity

Unitarian Universalist Society relies on donations to fund our activities and fulfill our mission. UUS gladly accepts gifts towards our operating budget, as well as for established restricted funds and endowments.

Ways to Give

Make a pledge or donate to a fund

We are thankful to all of our members and friends who help make our mission possible. Donations are collected online, through SMS text messages, by check or cash.

“GIVETOUUSIC Operating” to make a general donation to our operating fund (including pledge payments)

“GIVETOUUSIC Partner” to make an offering donation to our monthly community partner

Or just text “GIVETOUUSIC” for a full list of available funds and programs

Annual Pledge Campaign

The UUS operating budget is primarily funded through direct donations. Each year we hold a pledge campaign to ensure that we will have the financial resources needed to support our programs that reflect our mission and vision.  

Members and friends wishing to submit a pledge may do so online, by submitting a paper form, or by contacting the office.

Message from the Stewardship Team

Growing Our Story

Our UUS community is driven by our shared values. As a community, we faced serious challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking back, we not only survived those challenges as a community, we thrived and we should be proud!

Moving forward, our shared values will serve as the foundation for our Congregation’s continued growth. That work depends on all of us making contributions of our time and talents, and finances. As we embark on our 2024 Stewardship Campaign, we are excited to announce that several UUS members contributed money for a challenge pool. The funds will be used to match dollar for dollar (up to $15,500) any increase over your current pledge.

As you consider your pledge for the 2024 operating budget, please think about how UUS programs and services have supported you on your journey. Which ones were especially important for you this year? How would you like to see those to continue in the next year?

We’re asking everyone to be as generous as they can. We know that not everyone can stretch any further than their current pledge and we sincerely appreciate your gifts. If you can stretch, the challenge fund will match your increase! This year is vital for
our Society as we work towards a balanced budget. That goal is within our reach, but
we need your help.

Together, we can meet our goal of $400,000. We are “Growing Our Story,” and as we
commit ourselves to planting the seeds for the future of UUS and future generations,
our story unfolds.

In gratitude,
Pete Brokaw, Barb Haring, Diana Miller,
Michael Schmitz, Elizabeth Swanson
UUS Stewardship Committee

Setting Up an Online Pledge Instructions

Setting Up an Online Pledge Instructions

How to Pay Your Pledge

Once you’ve made your pledge, you can pay it in many ways, but the easiest way is by setting up a online bank account or credit card payment through Realm. Payments will automatically be applied to your pledge on record.

Setting Up Online Giving Instructions

(UUS asks that all credit/debit payments include an additional 3% charge to cover processing fee.)

You can also send checks/cash to the office or set up a stock or IRA transfer. Call the office for assistance if needed.

Ways to Give

Other types of giving

UUS gladly accepts other forms of donations, including stock transfers, IRA distributions, and legacy gifts/bequests.

Did you know that anyone over the age of 70 and a half with an IRA can write off charitable donations of IRA income up to $100,000 per year and still take the standard deduction? 

A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a nontaxable distribution made directly by the trustee of your IRA (other than a SEP or SIMPLE IRA). QCDs can satisfy all or part of the amount of your required minimum distribution from your IRA, so they are an excellent option to make gifts during your lifetime from an asset that might be subject to multiple levels of taxation if it remained in your taxable estate. 
Here are the steps to take to make a QCD gift from your IRA:

  • Contact your IRA administrator and instruct that person to transfer funds to the charity(ies) you designate. If donating to UUS, our EIN is 42-0928251. (We can provide documentation of our nonprofit status if required.)
    • IRA administrators don’t always include the donors’ names on distribution checks. Please let us know in advance so we’ll be able to identify your gift. Also, let us know if you want your gift used for a particular purpose. (acceptance of restricted gifts is subject to our Gift Acceptance policies and procedures).
  • We will record your donation in Realm and send you an acknowledgement of your contribution.
    • The QCD will be reported on your tax forms from your IRA administrator.

Here is an article from Fidelity on Qualified Charitable Distributions. Please consult your IRA administrator or a personal legal or financial advisor for more information or assistance with QCDs.

Other types of gifts, including goods and services, real estate, or other forms of tangible property, will only be accepted with approval from the Board of Trustees. 

Contact the Congregational Administrator for our stock brokerage account information, EIN, or if you have questions on other ways to donate. 

Restricted funds & endowments

UUS maintains a number of restricted funds and endowments to support specific purposes and campaigns. For a list of our established funds and endowments and their purposes, contact the Congregational Administrator. Donations to these funds are gladly accepted at any time.

Requests to create a new restricted fund or endowment must be reviewed by the Finance Committee and approved by the Board of Trustees. Donors are encouraged to designate an existing fund that fulfills the desired purpose rather than create a new fund with its own set of restrictions that need to be separately managed. For more information please contact finance@uusic.org.

Gifts for the purpose of creating a new named endowment must be at least $50,000 and will be invested with UUS’s other endowment funds under the guidance and oversight of the Endowment Committee.

Restricted operating gifts

Gifts designated to restricted operating purposes, such as to increase a specific area of the budget or to fund an unsolicited activity, project, or equipment purchase, must be reviewed by the Finance Committee and approved by the Board of Trustees. Contact the Finance Committee if you are interested in making a restricted gift: finance@uusic.org.

Service on Sundays at 10; Office Open Mon-Thurs 9-4 By Appointment

2355 Oakdale Rd, Coralville, IA 52241