Policies Regarding the Benevolence Fund of the Church (1998)
Grace Church
Policies Regarding the Benevolence Fund
Benevolence Fund Administrator. The Elder body designates the Church Business Administrator as administrator of all benevolence funds. Requests for disbursements from the fund must be submitted (in writing) to him for his prior approval. Any cash disbursements greater than $75 must be approved by the Elders or their designee.
Anonymous Recommendations to the Benevolence Fund. Grace Church has established a benevolence fund to assist people in need. Only undesignated contributions are allowed to this fund. Donors and members of Grace Church are free to make anonymous recommendations (in writing) to the Business Administrator regarding desired recipients. Ordinarily, these contributions will be deductible.
Contributions designating a specific beneficiary. Any contributions to the church benevolence fund designating a specific individual (or individuals) will be marked nondeductible. The church can still receive such funds and transfer the funds to the desired recipient, but the donor will not receive a tax deduction for the gift.
Emergency Aid for nonmembers of Grace Church. All potential recipients of assistance who are not members or regular attenders of Grace Church must meet with a pastor before receiving assistance.
When emergency assistance is required, the pastor can provide:
- Information concerning other aid agencies. When referring the individual to another agency a letter of introduction or phone call to the agency will precede the individaul's appearance; and/or
- Food (a pastor may provide a food voucher to Hy-Vee worth no more than $10); and/or
- Gasoline (a pastor may provide a gasoline voucher to ______ worth no more than $10).
- In unusual circumstances, upon the judgement of the pastor, a maximum of $10 in cash may be given to individuals who work for a minimum of two hours at the direction of the Facility Manager. Otherwise, no cash grants will be given to emergency applicants.
- A record of all assistance given to individuals will be kept and no individual may receive more than one form of assistance during any given calendar year.