PCUSA fund campaign expenses $600,000 higher than contributions
By John H. Adams, The Layman Online, April 12, 2004
From a cash standpoint, the denomination’s campaign to raise $40 million to support global missions and new church development is now more than $600,000 in the hole.
Negative cash flow accumulates during
fundraising reports in last three quarters The Presbyterian Church (USA) recently posted first-quarter 2004 results of the Mission Initiative Campaign – a.k.a. “Joining Hearts and Hands” – showing that cash receipts through March 31 had risen to $687,078.09.
Meanwhile, expenses in the campaign, which was authorized by the 213th General Assembly in 2001, had risen to $1,292,921.48 – $605,843.39 more than the cash that has been raised.
The campaign’s December statement showed an accumulated $419,815 cash shortfall. The accumulated shortfall at the end of the third quarter of 2003 was $275,597.31.
The fundraising expenses are being paid through appropriations by the GeneralAssembly Council and not directly from gifts to the campaign.
The March report said the campaign has received $7,411,586.26 in pledges, which, combined with cash receipts, brings the grand total to $8,098,664.35.
Presbyteries have pledged $3.5 million for new church development, a mission that presbyteries generally undertake with or without a denominationwide fundraiser. The financial statement says the presbyteries’ pledges – while being considered a part of the overall campaign – will be received and administered by the presbyteries.
The Mission Initiative Campaign envisions spending $20 million for new church development, with emphasis on racial-ethnic congregations.