We have a business plan, a life plan, and a financial plan, how about a contribution plan.

Suzanne F. Stevens

How do we pay the bills?

The North Parish is 100% supported by contributions from members and friends.

Some of those contributions are through volunteering – giving our time and talent to programs within the North Parish community, including fundraising activities.
The biggest portion of the money necessary to support our mission comes from the financial contributions we all make – and the biggest portion of that comes through pledges received as an Annual Giving Pledge.

Funding graphic showing 87% comes from Pledges, 10% fundraising, 3% other; budget graphic showing 24% ministerial, 17% admin, 19% Faith Formation, 13% each facilities and payroll related, 6% music, 8% other

Making an Annual Giving Pledge

Early each year our Stewardship Committee holds an Annual Giving Campaign, asking members and friends to pledge their financial support for the coming fiscal year (July 1-June 30). Your pledge indicates your plan to contribute. Our Treasurer, Board of Trustees, and Finance Committee tally the pledges received during that campaign, plus the anticipated revenues from Fundraising efforts, and use that amount to plan our Annual Budget – how we pay for our staff, care for our building, and offer the diverse array of programs offered to our congregation and the wider community.

The most important – respond to the Annual Giving Campaign held each spring. This is how our leadership sets a budget for the coming year. Here’s how:

Use your REALM account. Once you log in, go to the “Giving” tab, click “Pledge” and enter your pledge amount.

OR…

Email our church office with the amount you wish to pledge.

OR…

Email the Stewardship Team – they can also answer any questions you may have.

If you are new and wish to make a pledge at another time, you can always do so. Email the Stewardship Team or the church office.

We all bring different resources to the table. Recognizing that, we ask each member or friend to give generously as best as they can.

Across denominations and faiths, Americans give an average of 2.5% of their gross personal income to their religious communities. For those new to congregational participation, this may seem quite high. For those used to a religious tradition of 10% tithing, this may seem quite low. Many of us support other organizations with our donations and may even find that, if we add up all our giving to various community organizations, we, too, tithe 10%!

Percentage giving is a “fair share” way of funding our Mission across all income levels. In other words, someone who makes $20,000 a year and someone who makes $200,000 a year can be equals in their giving if they both give 2.5% of their income.

For more guidance on percentage giving, see the Annual Giving Guide.

You can make your pledge payment in weekly or monthly installments or once a year. Your payment is counted in the fiscal year in which it is received – July 1, xxxx to June 30, xxxx.

There are multiple ways to submit your payment.

Make an automatic monthly withdrawal (through your bank or through Realm). This has the advantage not only of convenience for paying our pledges, but it also ensures a steady income stream for North Parish.
Online through Realm, our online donation tool.
Write a check (note “Annual Pledge” in the memo line). You can put it in the Sunday offering plate or mail it to the church office: North Parish, 190 Academy Rd, North Andover, MA 01845.
Donate securities (here’s how).
If you are 70½ years or older, you may be able to make a tax-deductible contribution from your IRA (here’s how).

We have a business plan, a life plan, and a financial plan, how about a contribution plan.

How do we pay the bills?

Making an Annual Giving Pledge

Annual giving is one of the many ways that you can provide financial support. Here are other options.