2026-27 Pledge Drive

Pledge Drive Kick-Off: March 22, 2026

Celebration Sunday: April 19, 2026

By filling out this form, you make a pledge of financial support for the 2026-27 fiscal year. This fiscal year begins on July 1, 2026 and ends on June 30, 2027. Contributions to this pledge may be made on or after July 1 at https://uucb.churchcenter.com/giving or in the Church Center app.

Together, We:

Courageously organize for our values.
Create sanctuary that provides hope for our spirits.
Imagine a world that is more loving and just, where all people can thrive.

We are a Community of Hope and Courage

Last year, with the amazing success of the pledge drive, we increased our giving by more than 20% and were able to fulfill all the goals of the campaign.

Increased staff salaries and administrative staff hours
Met rising costs for two services and growing RE program
Returned to Honor Level Giving with the UUA
Provided $20,000 additional ministry support for Rev. Susan

This year, we continue to grow participation and attendance on Sundays, in Children's Religious Education, and in our adult programs. As we grow, the #1 challenge is providing ministerial staff for our nearly 500 members and friends.

The goal for the 2026-27 Pledge Drive is: $845,000

This 5% increase will allow us to:

Honor our excellent staff by providing cost-of-living adjustments
Maintain investments in our growing religious education program
And for the most ambitious goal - Hire a Ministerial Intern in Fall 2026!

A Ministerial Intern is someone preparing to be a UU Minister. Internships are required and UUCB would make an excellent teaching congregation. An intern would provide additional support for worship, pastoral care, and educational and spiritual learning. And this would be the next step in growing our budget toward funding a second minister.

Additional Ask: Ministerial Seed Fund

We have a plan to hire a full-time second minister in Fall 2027. This is exciting, but making this financial leap in one year would be difficult. The Board is inviting those who are able to give one time gifts above their pledge to support a $350,000 Ministerial Seed Fund. Drawing from this fund slowly over 5 years, we would give the congregation and the budget time to grow to fully cover the cost of a second minister. We plan to raise money for the Seed Fund during and beyond the Pledge Drive - until we reach the goal.

Together, our pledges matter - graph showing more than 90% of income at UUCB is funded by pledges, 3.4% Sunday Plate, 2.7% other, 2.6% Auction/Bazaar, .8% prior year fiscal pledges

Expenses Graphs, one showing 25-26 FY expenses: 29.5% worship/music, 27.8% Community and Connection, 11.5% administration, 12.7% justice/outreach, 18.5% lifespan religious education. 2nd graph- what pledge increase will fund: 36.3% compensation, 36.6% ministerial intern, 11.7% medical benefits, 8.3% other benefits, 6.8% programs and hospitality

How to Think About My Giving

How much should I give? That's up to you!

We ask members and friends to give as generously as they can based on their financial circumstances and commitment to UUCB. For those who would like some guidance, below is more information that can be helpful in considering what to give.

How We Give Together

Giving Guide

This giving guide may be helpful. To use it:

Start with your annual income.
Add other sources of income such as bonuses, inheritance, and investments.
Subtract expenses such as childcare, large medical costs, care for a parent, tuition, etc.
Find your adjusted annual income on the chart below and move to the right toward a suggested giving level that you are ready to support.

The Pledge Drive Committee

Corrin Clarkson (chair), JaneAnn Gifford, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray,
Renate Kasak, Charlie Pickle, Don Richards, and Pat Slabach.