Raising money for Commitment for Life

In 2001 we were challenged by the Director of Christian Aid to reach £500,000. We succeeded! In 2003 we achieved £564,000 and in 2004 £569,000 thanks to the generous and committed giving of so many. This wonderful generosity gives Christian Aid the security to continue its vital development work in some difficult circumstances, such as the work of PARC in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

“ If we give eagerly according to our means, that is acceptable to God, who does not ask for what we do not have.” 2 Corinthians 8, 12 – 14

The 1% principle remains the guideline for giving with the well-known formula of "a penny in the pound of disposable income". This principle echoes the broader stewardship approach that invites church members to contribute a fixed percentage of their income:

• it invites giving in proportion to ability to give;
• it implies a degree of self-discipline and sacrifice in doing this, setting an alternative standard to that of society around us;
• it provides a regular, planned contribution over years and not a one-off response on impulse;
• it allows the giver to settle with their own free conscience what constitutes 'disposable income'

Remember, the Commitment for Life appeal is for personal giving - not from church funds.

Making the appeal effectively

It is important to help people understand how the money they give is used by our partners.

Beyond that, helping people to give regularly is important. A penny in the pound of disposable income can be a surprisingly demanding amount. It is suggested that people spread their contributions through the year by using the cash envelopes monthly or quarterly.

Some churches collect envelopes every month. One church puts out envelopes on the Traidcraft stall every month. Some churches set a target for giving and raise it in a number of different ways, often over a period. Some churches have a twice yearly focus, giving a much better opportunity to raise awareness and use the stories supplied than a once a year pattern.

It is recommended that every church member receives an individual letter reminding them of the 1% appeal, not as a levy but a response of love and thankfulness. A clear date should be given by which the money is to be received (perhaps 6 weeks hence) and reminders included with the Sunday notices over the weeks leading up to that date, perhaps a Sunday when the money and pledges are received and offered in thanksgiving to God.

Order plenty of envelopes. You might also order the boxes (cardboard)

Claiming the tax back

From Spring 2000, contributions made to Commitment for Life by income tax payers are eligible for a tax reclaim by the church. This adds £2.80 to every ten pounds given*. Just fill in extra details to the gift envelope; your local church treasurer will do the rest. DO NOT SEND GIFT ENVELOPES TO CHURCH HOUSE. Contributors can register all gifts (including intermittent ones) for this purpose.

Please note that all cheques for Commitment for Life should be made payable to:

'United Reformed Church Trust' and sent to Commitment for Life, United Reformed Church, 86 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9RT

* provided that in any tax year you will pay income and/or capital gains tax equal to or greater than the tax reclaimed on this gift.

How the money is spent:

75% goes to Christian Aid to be divided equally between the four partner countries (so allowing Christian Aid to make long-term plans for those countries, while the local church focuses and raises awareness for one particular partner);

10% goes to WDM for advocacy and campaigning;

15% goes into a Grants and Advocacy fund, covering operational, staff costs, materials and grants. We remain committed to very careful control of costs. We are very grateful to Christian Aid for paying half of the cost of all new materials. You may request a copy of the accounts and the list of grants made in the previous year.

Grants are made by decision of the Commitment for Life sub-committee to organisations in development education such as One World Week or which further the aims of the causes which Commitment for Life supports, such as the Jubilee Debt Campaign, the Fairtrade Foundation and the Trade Justice Movement.

Key information on handling of the money

Please note that all cheques for Commitment for Life should be made payable to:

'United Reformed Church Trust' and sent to Commitment for Life, United Reformed Church, 86 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9RT.

Tax reclaim must be handled by the local church. It is not possible to do this at URC House.

Guidance on the Gift Aid scheme

The local church is asked to administer the Gift Aid scheme. You are kindly asked to keep a list of those making such contributions from among your congregation and collect their money through the year.

Contributions need not be made in a single lump sum nor promised over a period of years to qualify for tax relief. These might reach you as a succession of smaller gift, so you will need to record the contributions of each tax-payer before remitting the money. You will need to store signed envelopes for several years in case the Inland Revenue wish to carry out a check.

The Commitment for Life envelopes contain a space for givers if they are tax payers to record their name and indicate that they wish the local church to reclaim the tax. Individuals may use more than one gift envelope through the year, which is why we need to ask you kindly to undertake this extra work, on the basis that it will clearly be of great benefit to Commitment for Life. The Gift Aid information has been available since May 2002 and was sent to all Treasurers at that time.

We would encourage you to send off the bulk of the money for Commitment for Life not long after it is collected, and perhaps a further sum when any additional money and/or the tax reclaim comes in. This allows us to forward your money to Christian Aid for use by our overseas partners, and to the World Development Movement Trust, as early as possible. Please be sure to get it in before December 31st of each year.

Thank you for your help.