www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Parish Finances

Just wondering...
How do our parishes meet their financial needs?
The parish that I attend uses a mix of parishioner donations and bingo profits...and, it is always a problem getting people to volunteer to work on bingo nights--for various reasons. So, there is always a chance that bingo will be cancelled due to lack of workers.
Are there other more reliable--and, perhaps more suitable ways--to finance our parishes in addition to parishioner donations?
I would be interested in reading how other parishes "make ends meet"....

Hi,

If yo go to www.nationalscripcenter.com [nationalscripcenter.com] .It explains itself.We haven't done used it for sometime but it is a good way to supplement Church income.The reason I like it is because this is something you can use in your daily life.Certificates for popular stores.Your not selling candy or gift wrap etc.They have a credit card program that could be a nice way to support the Reuthenian Seminary.Everyone through out the country could participate.
Another idea: contact Home Interiors on the web.They have inexpensive jar candles that sell quickly.They are very popular.They have a fund raising program.I know because a family member sells Home Interiors.
For the most part if you had some kind of sales pizza,candy whatever you would probably make the same amount of money in 2,3 or 4 sales as you would having bingo all year.I used to do the fundraising for my child's grade school.With a combination of these sales + something called Maket Day we raised enough money for a computer lab.I hope this helps.

Nick's Babba

Not to be difficult, but there is absolutely no way that bake sales, pizzas, candles or whatever could replace our bingo income. I don't like that, but it's true.

Our problem is that we get NO financial feedback. How are folks supposed to know what's truly needed unless we know what is coming in, and what is going out?

As for "real" financing, how many businesses do you know that operate on bake sales? Or try to make capital improvements on pizza? Schools & nonprofits do year-round fundraising, capital campaigns, direct deposit, and target estate planning. Most churches haven't gone there yet.


Holy St. Bingo, finance us!

Sharon

Sharon Mech, SFO
Cantor & sinner
sharon@cmhc.com

GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST!
GLORY TO HIM FOREVER!

Sharon said:
"Our problem is that we get NO financial feedback. How are folks supposed to know what's truly needed unless we know what is coming in, and what is going out?"

I know of some parishes that keep 2 seperate sets of books, one set for the Bishop to see and then the real set.

How many parishes actually have a functioning parish council??

My parish has survived on our Food Festivals for the last 25 yrs. We've finally convinced some of the bakegoods ladies to raise their prices so we're not losing money anymore.

In my diocese, there are several churches that have been entirely re-decorated in traditonal style due to the efforts to the "pirohi ladies". This is an accomplishment and hats off to them!! or should it be rolling pins and collanders???

mark

>>>Not to be difficult, but there is absolutely no way that bake sales, pizzas, candles or whatever could replace our bingo income. <<<

I have to agree with Sharon: no bake sale in history is going to bring in between $125,000 and $150,000 per year.

>>>I know of some parishes that keep 2 seperate sets of books, one set for the Bishop to see and then the real set.<<<

I wise move. I would guess then that the biggest problem is deciding which set to show to whom. If your parish is rolling in dough, show the real books to the parishoners, and plead poverty to the bishop.

"...no bake sale in history is going to bring in between $125,000 and $150,000 per year."

I know of several Greek Orthodox communities here where I live that CLEAR $100,000 from their annual Festivals. Not bad for the ethnics huh.....

mark

Do your parish have any other forms of gambling during Bingo?In the state of Wi. the jackpot is limited and pull tabs for money are illegal.Also there are casinos not to far from here that have giant jackpots.Parish bingo doesn't do well here.This gentleman was asking about other forms of fundraising.His church seems to have problems with bingo.In his state they also might have the above limitations.My suggesions were directed toward him.As for feed back I prepare a statement every month telling what community has taken in and what we paid out so everyone knows exactly where we are at financially.God bless your parish for doing so well at bingo.What are your Jackpots?

Nick's Babba

In Ohio, "rip-offs" (instant, pull-tab games) are legal, and they do indeed produce most of the clear profit. "Package" and "computer" sales pretty well break even, covering the game payouts, maybe a bit more, maybe a bit less, depending on the night.

Total payout per night is limited to (I think) $3500 - not our limit, but the State's. Our highest jackpot is $1100. Instants are accounted for separately.

We have constant problems getting enough warm bodies to work, but so far we've managed, despite being a relatively small parish which draws from all over Central Ohio.

The issues ARE different in resort areas & places where high-stakes gambling is close by. We have no Indian casinos in-state, and the legal tracks are way at the other end of the county, so our only real competition is with the other Bingos in town that operate on the same night we do.

Best,

Sharon

Sharon Mech, SFO
Cantor, sinner & bingo cashier
sharon@cmhc.com

In the state of Wi. the total pay out allowed for bingo a night is only $500.00.At least it was as of 2 yrs. ago.Most parishes here in SE Wi. no longer have bingo.


Nick's Babba

I can't believe someone is advocating lying about finances on this board. In most circles, that's called "fraud".

If I were a bishop and got ONE whiff of this kind of thing happening I would insist on a forensic audit of the parish books.

Sorry, folks, but I own a business and this sort of talk REALLY puts me off!

Actually, ND, it's really very easy to do. When you have a priest that takes all the money collected for Easter flower or Christmas flowers and spends it on something else that he wants, there's nothing to worry about. The Bishop will never see the books anyway.

mark

I hate ot give you folks to bad news, but far too many of our parishes live off their investments and do not even come close to raising current expenditures.

Pray for a good stock market.

K.

Sharon,

I believe the 'books' can be reviewed by any parishioner. Doesn't your parish have a financial advisory committee? If this is a problem, then you should contact the Dean to investigate.

Joe

No Joe, we don't have a committee of that sort. True, anybody motivated enough can ask to see them, but few are so motivated. Seems to me that it should be a two-way street - everybody is asked to contribute (time, talent, treasure) - there should be reqular feedback provided. I've seen the Church bulletins in a lot of parishes, seems like almost all of them print a little financial statement (income & expenses from 50,000 feet) at least monthly - sometimes weekly.

BTW, Joe, would you please drop me a line privately?

Cheers,

Sharon

Sharon Mech, SFO
Cantor & sinner
sharon@cmhc.com