PENDING PROJECTS: Our church's annual operating budget is approved by our congregation in our December congregational meeting.  We also provide our congregation with a list of pending special projects and purchases awaiting funding that were not able to be included in our operating budget. 

ACCOUNTABILITY:  A finance team of several church members and our church council oversees the proper use of our church's finances.

MISSIONS GIVING:  18% of the weekly offerings go to Christian mission work in our community, country and world (for a partial list of missionaries and Christian organizations we support, click here).

GIVING REPORTS: Giving statements and a financial newsletter are sent our three times a year to every who makes financial gifts by check and/or giving envelopes.  If you need to find out how much you've given, please contact our donations secretary, Jessi Iverson (jessi@1freechurch.org).

DESIGNATED GIVING is welcome in our church for approved items.  Special gifts can be designated for approved building projects, capital improvements, benevolence needs, missions and ministries within our church.  Click here for a list of pending projects awaiting funding.

EVENTUAL RELOCATION: Future Relocation Project.  We are currently receiving designated building fund gifts and pledges towards an eventual relocation.  Click here for more details on our future relocation plans.

HELPING THE NEEDY IN OUR CHURCH AND COMMUNITY: A special benevolence offering is taken following the communion service on the first Sunday of each month.  These funds are monitored by the Elder team and used to help people within our church family or community who are facing short-term financial challenges.

Helpful Articles by our Pastor On Biblical Generosity

• Understanding the Grace of Giving

• 5 Ways You Will Benefit If You Give 10% or More of Your Income to God's Work

• Count Your Blessings: A Pathway to Greater Joy & Generosity

• "NET OR GROSS?" and Other Practical Advice on Christian Giving

• Money Matters: Biblical and Practical Insights Into Generosity and Finances

• 100 Verses & Ideas on Generosity & Finances

Ways to Give to the Lord's Work at our church

There are a number of different ways you can financially support our ministry.  If you need additional information, please call our church office at 634-3144.

Cash & Checks

Cash and checks are the most common way donations are received by the church.   Our church sends out quarterly statements  to ensure we are properly recording any gifts you have given.  With our quarterly statements we also include a "Faith & Finances Newsletter" with helpful information about church finances and financial ministries.

Electronic Funds Transfer or On-Line Giving

If you are interested in giving any one-time or reoccurring offerings (weekly or monthly), click here.   If you have any questions about electronic or on-line giving, please contact Jessi Iverson at jessi@1freechurch.org or by calling her at home (635-4342).

Year-end Gifts

Some individuals like to make special year-end gifts to support our ministry.  Because all gifts to the church are subject to IRS deadlines, please remember that all year-end gifts must be received in the church office before midnight on December 31, or must be postmarked before the end of December, to be deducted in the present tax year.  Any gifts received after December 31 and not postmarked in December will be included in the next tax year. The date written on a check will not determine in which tax year a gift is included. Only the actual date of receipt by the church or the postmark will establish the correct tax year for the I.R.S.  If you would like to see a list of special projects awaiting year-end gifts (or extra offerings during the year), click here.

Envelopes

For those interested, the church will provide (upon request) giving envelopes. Any gifts received by the church in these giving envelopes will be tracked and sent out in the quarterly statement.  If you would like to sign up to receive giving envelopes, please call the church office at 634-3144 or email Jessi Iverson at jessi@1freechurch.org.

Stock & Mutual Funds

It is possible to transfer stocks and mutual funds directly to the church. If this is done with securities that have been held for more than one year, the donor will be able to deduct the full fair market value of the securities and avoid paying any capital gain tax. If, however, the securities are sold first and then the proceeds are given to the church, the donor will still have to pay capital gain taxes to the I.R.S. A little planning in this area can help you take full advantage of the tax benefits allowed by the government.  Please call the church office at 634-3144 on how to EASILY transfer stocks and mutual funds from your account to the church's account for the best tax advantage.

Personal Property (Gifts-in-kind)

Over the years, the church has been given automobiles, computers, office furniture, furniture/furnishings, and more. We gratefully accept all gifts-in-kind that we can truly use, or we try to direct donors to other ministries that have specific needs. Gifts-in-kind can be a little more complicated due to I.R.S. regulations, but we will be happy to help you with the process. Please contact the church office (634-3144) to discuss any possible gift-in-kind donations.  We will then determine if and how we can use the items and if you need assistance in having the items picked up or if you'll drop them off yourself.

Real Estate

In general, gifts of real estate have the same tax benefits as giving appreciated securities. If the property has been held for more than one year, the donor can typically take an income tax deduction for the full fair market value and avoid capital gain tax on the appreciated portion of the property. It is also possible that other benefits can include savings in estate taxes and avoiding probate. Please call the church office at 634-3144 on how to transfer real estate from your account to the church's account for the best tax advantage.

Life Insurance

Churches can benefit from life insurance policies. If the original purpose for a life insurance policy no longer exists, a donor can make the church the owner and beneficiary of the policy and receive a tax deduction. The deduction can be taken immediately and the amount of the contribution is typically the replacement value or cost basis of the policy.

Gift Annuities

Charitable gift annuities can be set up where the donor receives an immediate tax deduction on irrevocable gifts to the church, but will also receive fixed income payments from their gift for the rest of their life.  Please call the church office at 634-3144 for more details or assistance.

Wills, Bequests & Estate Planning

A charitable gift can be given to the church through your will or other estate plans. Such a gift can be used to honor the Lord from the financial increase He has given you during your lifetime (Prov 3:9,10) and to benefit your church in wonderful ways.  This type of gift can also be helpful to appropriately avoid estate taxes.  If you choose to include the church in your will or estate plan, please let your attorney know the church's name and address. Further, please communicate to your attorney that the church is a 501(c )(3) organization incorporated in the state of Colorado, and that our tax identification number is 84-0931441. If you have already included the church in your will, please let us know so that we can say "thank you." Don't forget that qualified retirement plans will be considered part of your estate at death, but if handled correctly they can also be deductible from the estate as charitable gifts.  If you would like assistance from our church or denomination with your estate planning, please call the church office at 634-3144.

Matching Gifts

Many businesses allow their employees to make donations to charitable organizations through payroll deductions, and they will often match the gift dollar for dollar. Inquire with your company's Human Resources, Matching Gift, or payroll department to see if this is possible. The church is recognized by the I.R.S. as a tax-exempt organization under section 501 (c )(3) and many people already give to the church through matching gift programs.

Final Thoughts

Many of the ways to give mentioned above can be very effective if utilized correctly.  If you do not know a qualified Christian CPA, financial planner, tax attorney or estate planner, to help you assess your financial plans and charitable giving goals, please contact the church office at 634-3144 to see if we can help you locate someone than can help you.