Tithing and Contributions

[Backroads]

Whilst filling out my tithing slip yesterday, I noticed a bit of writing about how the other charitable donations will be reasonably attempted to be spent where specified, but in general the Church has the right to use funds where it needs to fulfill its mission.

Now, I enjoy specifying where I want my money-beyond-tithing going, but now I'm wondering if I should bother. I figure the money will go where it will do good.

[beefche]

I trust that the Church respects my decision on where I want my money to go. But, I would imagine that if there was some kind of devestating disaster in the world and our humaritarian funds couldn't keep up, then they may use money from the Book of Mormon fund or some other fund to help.

[Dravin]

I trust the Church to spend humanitarian funds (which is the only situation outside of something like using the slip to pay for a camp I can imagine one would use a non-standard specification) where they will best be used. Particularly since the Church is about being prepared to respond rather than using donations to get prepared at the last moment. What that means is that if there is a flood tomorrow it will be supplies already purchased by previous donations that will be sent, and if they received donations above any given need for a particular disaster it would be ill conceived to insist on spending it there anyway because it was earmarked for such.

Edited July 9, 2012 by Dravin

[Vort]

Whilst filling out my tithing slip yesterday, I noticed a bit of writing about how the other charitable donations will be reasonably attempted to be spent where specified, but in general the Church has the right to use funds where it needs to fulfill its mission.

Now, I enjoy specifying where I want my money-beyond-tithing going, but now I'm wondering if I should bother. I figure the money will go where it will do good.

I tend to agree with your last sentence.

I also think that specifying where you want "your money" to go has little effect. I realized this when discussing United Way donations -- they allow you to specify which charity to give to, but I think it's all smoke and mirrors for the following reason:

Let's suppose in Year 1, the local United Way apportions out its donations to four local charities as follows:

Planned Parenthood: 40%

Gay & Lesbian Promotion Fund: 20%

Healthy Heart Research Institute: 20%

Starving Orphans Fund: 20%

The next year, the UW allows people to specify their donations if they wish. As it turns out, 50% of the donations are targeted, giving the following spread:

Planned Parenthood: 10%

Gay & Lesbian Promotion Fund: 2%

Healthy Heart Research Institute: 18%

Starving Orphans Fund: 20%

Unspecified donations: 50%

So how does UW apportion out the unspecified 50%? Why, they give most of it (60% of the unspecified part) to Planned Parenthood, a little over a third to the Gay & Lesbian Promotion Fund, and the balance to the Healthy Heart Research Institute, giving nothing extra to the Starving Orphans Fund.

The end result? Each charity receives EXACTLY THE SAME AMOUNT AS THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

This is why I never, ever give to the United Way. When I do charitable donations, I give ONLY to the specific charity, NEVER to the UW. That way, I know that my donation represents an actual net increase in what the charity receives, rather than just being a reduction in the amount that UW will give them from general donations.

In the case of the LDS Church, I am happy for the Church to use funds wherever it sees fit, so I rarely specify donations except as needed (e.g. "Perpetual Education Fund").

Edited July 9, 2012 by Vort

[pam]

I actually know someone that works in the Church finance dept. Money designated does go to where it's designated. I asked that of him some time back.

Totally unlike United Way as Vort mentioned. I learned about United Way years ago from someone that actually was an exec for it in San Diego. So I started giving directly to the organization.

[applepansy]

Out of all the charitable groups out there, I trust the church the most, now when others call, I just tell them "I do all of my donations through the church". Their overhead is low, you can trust that it is doing the best good for the most people. I love having a charity to donate that I can trust like that.

That's how I feel about it.

[pam]

I prefer giving to the church but there is an organization that is near and dear to me that I also donate to. The Alzheimers foundation.

[Maureen]

I trust that the Church respects my decision on where I want my money to go. But, I would imagine that if there was some kind of devestating disaster in the world and our humaritarian funds couldn't keep up, then they may use money from the Book of Mormon fund or some other fund to help.

I actually know someone that works in the Church finance dept. Money designated does go to where it's designated. I asked that of him some time back....

Someone already posted this article in another thread but I thought I'd post it again.

The LDS Church has redesigned the slips members use to pay tithing and other donations, eliminating several of the line items.

Until recently, church members could check a box in front of the Perpetual Education Fund (which helps Mormon students in less-developed nations), the Book of Mormon (to pay for publication of the Utah-based faith's signature scripture), or temple construction in addition to tithing, fast offerings (for the poor), general and ward missionary funds and humanitarian aid.

The current form now has spaces only for tithing, fast offering, humanitarian aid and general and ward missionary fund. The education, temple and scripture funds have been removed.

A line remains for “other,” which members can use to specify these various funds where they want their money to be spent, but there is no guarantee that the church will honor any particular request.

“Though reasonable efforts will be made globally to use donations as designated,” it now reads on the bottom of the form, “all donations become the church's property and will be used at the church's sole discretion to further the church's overall mission.”

Next time Mormons pay tithing, they may notice something new | Following Faith | The Salt Lake Tribune

M.

Edited July 10, 2012 by Maureen

[Bensalem]

Whilst filling out my tithing slip yesterday, I noticed a bit of writing about how the other charitable donations will be reasonably attempted to be spent where specified, but in general the Church has the right to use funds where it needs to fulfill its mission.

Now, I enjoy specifying where I want my money-beyond-tithing going, but now I'm wondering if I should bother. I figure the money will go where it will do good.

I'll be reading my tithing slip more closely. I never saw that before. Not that it matters, but I like to believe money allocated to a cause actually goes to that cause.

[Bensalem]

This is why I never, ever give to the United Way. When I do charitable donations, I give ONLY to the specific charity, NEVER to the UW. That way, I know that my donation represents an actual net increase in what the charity receives, rather than just being a reduction in the amount that UW will give them from general donations.

Unless the charity is a scam where no money collected ever reaches the cause advertised. Anderson Cooper on CNN had a great expose on this problem. I had no idea it was possible to collect money and use it only to pay charity expenses and salaries.

My new guideline is to always give to a known and reputable organization.