At East Shore, we know community is enhanced through gifts of time, talent, and treasure. Whether you are a member, friend, or visitor, your presence is a gift. Gifts come in many forms, money, time, energy, passion, talents, and efforts. A joyous part of our responsibility is to use these gifts well, on behalf of those in need.
Ways to give your time, talent, treasure
- For one time payments, we encourage you to donate online here. Note, credit cards charge 2-4% fees. You can also give by mailing a check made out to ESUC and sent to 12700 SE 32nd Street, Bellevue, WA 98005.
- For monthly gifts, we encourage you to sign up for monthly Automatic Bank Withdrawals. Payments will be made effortlessly until you decide to change or stop them. The easiest way to set up an automatic bank withdrawal is to send a voided check.
SPECIAL METHODS TO CONSIDER
New tax laws makes it more likely people will benefit from taking a now higher standard deduction on their tax return. There are a few ways you may be able to maximize the impact of your giving, and your deduction! Please consult your tax advisor first before using these methods.
- IRA Distributions: If you are receiving income from an Individual Retirement Account, you may be able to use pre-tax IRA distributions to pay East Shore, saving you taxes on that portion of your income. You should receive a separate tax statement from your IRA account.
- Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD): If you are 70½ years old or older you can donate to East Shore from a taxable IRA instead of taking your required minimum distributions which could keep you out of a higher tax bracket.
- Donor Advised Funds (DAF): Donors make a bulk donation to their account (and benefit from high itemized deductions), and distribute the money to non-profit organizations over several years.
- Stocks: Stocks can be donated to East Shore. Please contact Rebecca Chatfield, Director of Finance and Operations to begin this process.
- Payroll Deductions and Employer Matching Gifts: Some members have opted to utilize incentive programs at their place of employment to fulfill their pledge. If your employer excludes religious organizations, you may be able to utilize a third-party workplace giving application such as Benevity.
However you choose to pay, we very much value your contribution! Please contact Rebecca Chatfield, Director of Finance and Operations for any issues related to your payments.
Where to Give
We have serveral funds that you can donate to help support all areas of East Shore.
Operating Fund
East Shore’s Operating Fund is how we pay for the day-to-day operations at the church and the amazing programs we support. This includes worship, religious education, all our social justice teams. It also helps pay for our loving staff and covers utilities.
Building Reserve Fund
We are working on a 20 year plan so we can find the best number for future annual deposits that will allow for both growth of the fund along with handling the expenses when they arise. This initial amount is to get the fund underway.
Endowment (Planned Giving)
East Shore’s Endowment fund helps ensure a firm financial footing for our liberal religion here in Bellevue. Years ago, visionary members created this fund, hoping it would grow into something big that could cushion the church when there were “down times.” They were right! Funds from the Endowment have helped us today. It’s now our turn to help the next generation by donating to the Endowment. Please learn more about the endowment here, and You can find more information on estate planning and charitable giving from the UUA here.
Art by Sheila Ralston.
Memorial Garden
The Memorial Garden provides a beautiful natural area in close proximity to the church where people can find a peaceful environment in which to meditate on the cycles and meanings of life. All memorial plants are tagged with both the type of plant and the name of the person being memorialized. The people’s names are installed on the memorial plaque in the Sanctuary. In this way our members and our congregation as a whole can honor and remember our loved ones who have died.
Mission Fund Drive
The annual Mission Fund Drive ensures that we can continue to live out our mission of Practice Love, Explore Spirituality, Build Community, and Promote Justice. It gives us the opportunity to support our amazing worship services, grow lifelong learning programs, and fairly compensate our staff.
