Pledging and Giving
Ways to Support the Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City
The financial health of our spiritual home is determined by the generosity of our members and friends. Through our Annual Fund Drive, where members pledge for the coming fiscal year, and our regular Congregational Fundraisers, we build the financial security to help our church community thrive. There are so many ways to give, with checks, cash, via the internet, or by simply going shopping, to name a few.
We welcome you to tour the images of our wonderful church spaces while you explore the many ways we can give to our beloved community. Thank you for your generosity.
Methods of Payment
Text to Donate from your cell phone to send contributions. Simply text “UUCSC” to the number 443-21 and follow the prompts to make your donation. We’d love it if you also check the box to cover the payment processing fee with your donation. Every little bit helps!
Donate Directly through your bank account or credit union. When paying your bills online, add “Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City” to your list of Payees. Then you can virtually write a check anytime and your financial institution will automatically mail your donation with no fee. Making contributions to the church this way is easy and avoids processing fees you may be charged by other payment services. Most bill pay programs also allow you to choose to make one-time payments or recurring payments. You have the freedom to choose when and how often the bank sends your donations. Please note: if an account number is required, use “pledge” or “donation”, then we’ll know the nature of your contribution.
Donate via PayPal from our website by clicking the “Donate” button found at the top of each page, or follow our PayPal link here. Be sure to use the drop-down menu that indicates the purpose of your gift — Pledge Payment, Sunday Collection, etc. There is also a place to include a note if you don’t see an appropriate category. With your donation, please consider helping to offset the PayPal processing fees we incur. For example, for every $100 donation, UUCSC incurs a $3 processing fee.
Shopping
Donate when you Shop at Ralph's with Ralph's Community Rewards program. To set up your Ralph’s account, visit their website and choose “Community Rewards” on the left side of the screen. Select Unitarian/Universalist Church of Studio City (#ER308) as your preferred organization for UUCSC to receive your donation at no cost to you. If you already have your Ralph’s account set up online, connect it to our church here.
Other ways to Donate
Make a Bequest in your Will and Leave a Legacy. While planning or updating your Will, contribute to the future of our congregation by including UUCSC as a beneficiary.
Support our Endowment Fund and invest in our future. To give to the fund, simply write “Endowment Fund '' on the memo line of your check. Established in 1994, our carefully managed endowment fund is designated explicitly for programmatic or capital items. Many improvements have been possible through a combination of distributions and loans: the structural addition of administrative and minister’s offices, complete renovation of the kitchen and bathrooms, all windows retrofitted, a build out of the sound room and upgrade of the audio system, modernization of heating and air conditioning, and more. The Endowment Fund Committee’s mission is to safeguard and grow the fund in a way that is compatible with UU values. Quarterly meetings are open and meeting minutes and other reports are available in the church office.
Donate Appreciated Stock that benefits both you and the church. By donating appreciated stock, you get a deduction and also don't have to pay taxes on any of the gains. Consult your tax advisor on your eligibility to take this deduction. For example, the stock you purchased for $1000 is now worth $5000. If you sold the stock, you might pay $800 in capital gains taxes with $4200 going to the church, and only get a $4200 tax deduction. Better to donate the stock to the church, pay no capital gains taxes. The church receives the full $5000 and you deduct the full $5000 from your taxes. A win/win!
Make an IRA-Qualified Charitable Contribution: For those 70-½ and older, you can avoid being taxed on your Traditional IRA “required minimum distribution” by donating that money directly to the church. Using your IRA to make a pledge or donation can help lower your tax obligation if you designate the church as the recipient. Consult your financial advisor.
Floral Sponsorships are another way to give each Sunday. The Order of Service will list the sponsor’s name and any occasion or person for whom the flowers are dedicated. As a Floral Sponsor, you are invited to bring and prepare the flowers or arrangement display for the altar prior to the service. If you would like to volunteer for this lovely contribution, please send an email to: floral.sponsor@uustudiocity.org.