UUA Annual Program Fund

Welcome and thank you for inquiring about your UUA Annual Program Fund and Fair Share Giving.

The Congregations of the Mountain Desert District have a proud tradition of financially supporting our UUA and continue to serve as a model for promoting a culture of stewardship and prosperity. On behalf of the UUA and the entire APF Committee, I thank you for your congregation's support of our UUA. Because you give, we are all stronger and more empowered to offer better service and support for congregations, ministers, lay leadership, and Lifespan Religious Education, as well as to further promote denominational awareness and growth on a national level. Through your individual contributions, we continue to prove how collectively we can do so much more.

If I can help you in any way with APF, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Stan Kidder
Mountain Desert District APF Representative
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
970.407.1514 (leave a message if I don't answer)

Funding Our Faith

Congregational contributions to the UUA Annual Program Fund support the operating budget of the UUA, just as the MDD District Assessments support the operating budget of the MDD and pledges support the operating budget of your congregation. Your congregation's contributions to the Annual Program Fund support services and programs that benefit and strengthen all congregations and Unitarian Universalism as a whole. Contributions to the Annual Program Fund provide over 45% of the Association's annual unrestricted income.

Annual "Fair Share" Contributions

Member congregations are asked to make a minimum contribution ("Fair Share") each fiscal year, July 1 to June 30. The UUA Administration sets the amount. Currently:

• Congregations with fewer than 550 members are asked to contribute at least $58 per certified member for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. (But it's okay to contribute more than this. Indeed in these troubled times many congregations are struggling. Exceeding your Fair Share would help everyone.)
• Congregations with 550 or more members may use the per-member rate above or 4.2% of budgeted total expenses. (Again, exceeding Fair Share would be most appreciated.)

Note: Membership and Total Expenses are as reported to the UUA on February 1 of the previous fiscal year. (Don't remember what you reported? Go to the Data Services page of the UUA Website and find out! Or just contact me.)

A few suggestions for your APF contributions

1. Mail contributions to:

   Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
   Annual Program Fund
   P.O. Box 843153
   Boston, MA 02284-3153

2. Make at least quarterly contributions. Congregations which plan to make a single contribution frequently run out of money before their contribution is made.

3. I strongly suggest the 10-month plan: make 10 equal monthly contributions (to both the Annual Progam Fund and the MDD District Assessment) beginning in August and ending in May. (This plan works for the next point, and it gives you a break in June and July, which can be slow financial months.)

4. Make your last contribution in May, not in June, which is a hectic month for most of us. Many times a June contribution is simply forgotten in the rush toward summer. (And if you want to wear your Full Fair Share ribbon at General Assembly, your last contribution must reach Boston by the first week of June.)
5. Make a pledge for the amount you intend to contribute to the Annual Program Fund. Just as congregations ask members to make a pledge so they can plan for the year, so the UUA asks its members—individual congregations—to pledge an amount to the Annual Program Fund. A form has been sent directly to you from the UUA. Please fill it out and return it. (Can't find your pledge form? Call/email me; I will email you a copy of your form.)
6. If you have any questions about this, don't hesitate to call (970.407.1514) or email me ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Mountain Desert District

APF Annual Report

FY 2010

It was a tough year in the Mountain Desert District. Our contributions to the UUA Annual Program Fund (APF) decreased by 7.4%, which was second only to the Massachusetts Bay District, whose contributions decreased by 9.2%. As a result, our district grant, which is determined solely by district contributions to the APF, decreased by 15%, which, again, is second only to the Mass. Bay District, whose district grant decreased by 18%. In contrast, Prairie Star District’s APF contribution increased by 4.2%, and Mid-South District’s grant increased by 8%.

The following table contains the MDD’s APF performance over the last several years. The Great Recession struck in FY 2008. It was followed by a slight increase in our district grant in FY 2009. Then the “double dip” hit in FY 2010.

APF Summary

I wish to say “Thank You!” to those heroic MDD congregations which in spite of the recession contributed their Full Fair Share to the Annual Program Fund in FY 2010:

MDD Full Fair Share Congregations in FY 2010

Stan Kidder
Annual Program Fund Representative for the Mountain Desert District
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
970.407.1514 (leave a message if I don't answer)

Posted Thursday, 04 March 2010 11:14 Written by Jess Cullinan