TO: UUSA Members and Committed Friends
The outline of important dates for the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget process are as follows:
February 23 – Congregational Conversation re: FY26 financial needs
March 9 – Distribute pledge drive materials
March 30 – Pledge Forms DUE
April 17 – 1st board meeting on the budget
April 25 – draft budget to congregation (sent via email)
April 27 – Congregational conversation re: budget directly after the service
May 1 – Zoom meeting on the budget at 7pm
May 15 – 2nd board meeting on the budget (incorporating cong’l feedback)
if needed – FINAL board meeting on budget
May 25 – warrant is read to the congregation
June 1 – warrant is read to the congregation
June 8 – congregational meeting to vote on the budget
The video below is of the June 8, 2025 Annual Meeting, which includes presentation of our proposed FY’26 budget and Q&A.
Why pledge? What does my money pay for? We do not receive funding from regional or national bodies. In fact, we contribute to them! Every dollar you pledge goes directly to fund the life of our congregation—our staff, our programming and the maintenance of our beautiful building. Every member is encouraged to share in the stewardship that makes our vision for the UUSA a reality. About 75% of our budget relies on your pledges.
Why do we ask now? We ask for pledge commitments in the spring so that the Board has time to finalize the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year (beginning on July 1, 2024). We also scheduled two congregational conversations in May to discuss it before we vote on it at the congregational Annual Meeting on June 8.
What if I give to the plate? Thank you for supporting the congregation via the offertory during services. This contribution is shared 50/50 with an organization that the Dedicated Offering Committee has elected to support. While we do anticipate – and need – contributions made this way, your pledge now allows us to plan!
Our challenge: The long-term financial health of our congregation requires both a growth in membership and a growth in average contribution per member. For many years, our budgets have been funded with a heavy reliance on a small number of committed donors. This year, for example, 50% of our pledge income comes from 17 pledging households. This leaves the UUSA vulnerable should any of these donors no longer be able to sustain their level of financial commitment. That is concerning, yet not insurmountable.
So how much should you pledge? We encourage you to pledge based on the Fair Share Guide
Let’s keep investing in our future! With the energy and support of a growing congregation, we can build the sustainable, beloved community that we envision. We are guided by our UU Values of Generosity, Equity, and Interdependence and our own Bylaws that require us to present “a balanced operating budget in which the income and expenses are reasonably and realistically estimated.” We are asking you to invest in that vision.
This always represents a challenge and a possibility! We know the world needs a vibrant and vital UUSA. The UUSA exists because it has always met this challenge. Thank you!
