Dear Beloved Members and Friends of UUUF,

As we continue our annual pledge season, we want to be transparent with you about how our finances work and how crucial your support is to sustaining and growing our beloved community.

 Understanding Our Budget

For the 2025-2026 fiscal year (ending June 30), here is a snapshot of how UUUF is funded and how your contributions are used.

These numbers are approximate but give a clear picture:

55% of our income comes from your pledges. This means more than half of everything we do is possible because of you.

35% comes from rental income.

The remaining 10% comes from the auction, weekly basket donations, and special events.

Now, imagine our annual budget as $1.00.

Here’s how that dollar is spent:

35¢ for each $1.00 goes to personnel — covering our dedicated part-time team: Colleen (Administrator), Tay (Coordinator for Religious Education), and three part-time RE instructors. We also contract with our talented pianist, Elysia, and a new facilities contractor but their payments are not counted under personnel.

31¢ supports our building and grounds — mortgage, utilities, landscaping, repairs, and insurance. In the past two years, we have made vital improvements: new flooring, upgraded lighting, a refreshed library/conference room, and digital locks for added security. We no longer have a mortgage on the property thanks to your generosity.

20¢ covers essential operations — office supplies, IT needs, postage, licenses, and Board-related expenses.

10¢ funds programming — including Religious Education, music, hospitality, membership events, and all the little things that make us feel connected.

The final 4¢ goes to UUA dues, helping us stay part of the broader UU movement.

 Planning For Growth

As has been discussed, there is a shared desire to welcome a part-time minister. While we are not yet ready to move forward with a hire, we know that building a fund now will bring us closer to that dream when the time is right.  Additionally, we are mindful that many of our volunteers — the heart and soul of UUUF — have carried the torch for many years. In time, we hope to ease their load by investing in additional staff to support our growing needs.

 Giving With Generosity And Awareness

We know every household’s financial situation is different, especially in uncertain times. But we also know that when we each give as we are able, we create something bigger than ourselves.

See below for a snapshot of our current pledge landscape.

The UUA’s Fair Share Giving Guide can be a helpful tool for determining what a meaningful pledge might look like for your household. We would be deeply grateful if you could stretch this year.

Help us Sustain What We All Love

As we look toward the future, we also need leaders — not just helping hands, but hearts willing to guide key aspects of our church life. I have had the honor of serving as Vice-President and I am continuing this final year as President. But we need more people to step into leadership, mentor new volunteers, and ensure the strength and sustainability of UUUF for years to come.

So as you consider your pledge this year, I invite you to reflect on this:

How can you help sustain what we all love — in giving, in service, in leadership?

Thank you for being part of this community.

Thank you for all the ways you show up — with care, creativity, and commitment.

If you have questions or would like to talk more, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any member of the Board of Trustees.

With gratitude and hope,

Anne Packham
Board President

on behalf of your UUUF Board