Annual Program Fund (APF)

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

The congregations of the Heartland 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 gave, we are all stronger and more empowered to offer better service and support for congregations, ministers, lay leadership, lifespan religious education, as well as 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.  Information on this site will help you understand the value of your contributions, how APF monies are used, and links to important sites that you can use and share within your congregation.

Kriss Gang
APF Heartland District Chair
Email: kgang@woh.rr.com
Phone: 937-885-9676

APF 2006 Annual Report (pdf)
Annual Program Fund Brochure (pdf)

Download APF Quarterly Newsletters (pdf):
January 2007 Vol 1, Issue 1
May 2007 Vol 1, Issue 2
August 2007 Vol 1, Issue 3
August 2007 Vol 2, Issue 1

Funding Our Faith
Your congregation's contributions fund 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 Board of Trustees sets the amount.

Congregations with fewer than 550 members:
$51 per member in FY2006
$53 per member in FY2007
$54 per member in FY2008

Congregations with 550 or more members:
Can use the per member rates above or 4.2% of total expenses

Note: Membership and Total Expenses are as reported in February of the previous fiscal year.

A Brief List of Services Made Possible by Your Generous Support
- Ministry & Professional Leadership: ministerial settlement services; continuing education; consultants to help congregations achieve fair compensation
- District Staff and offices are partially funded by APF dollars
- Growth and extension: starting new congregations and providing resources for congregational growth; building loans, grants and loan guarantees
- Youth and younger adults: Young Adult Ministry and Campus Ministries
- Lifespan Faith Development: Religious education curricula; leadership training; worship, family, intergenerational, multicultural and other resources
- Taking action on our values: antiracism and anti-oppression programs; working for justice through the Washington Office for Advocacy; public statements by Association staff and lay leaders
- Resources for church leaders and the general membership
    InterConnections newsletter 
    InterConnections online resources for lay leaders 
    UU World 
    UUA Directory 
    The Congregational Handbook
- Fundraising assistance: Stewardship manual and videos; capital campaign, endowment and planned giving assistance
- Other publications - books including hymnbooks and Beacon Press; pamphlets; videos; audio materials
- Website infrastructure - Over 200 electronic lists for information and discussion

Ten Reason Why You Should Pledge Fair Share *
1. Your contribution support General Assembly and the District Assembly, leadership development and training opportunities, the monthly newsletter for congregational leaders, and small group ministry programming and training.
2. Previous contributions supported the development of our hymnal, Singing the Living Tradition, and the new hymnal supplement, Singing the Journey. (The cost of purchasing each volume pays the royalty fees.) Our gifts also support other worship resources that we use regularly.
3. Your contribution supports telling the great stories of our living Unitarian Universalist faith all around the world, through The UU World magazine, publicity campaigns, the International Association for Religious Freedom, the Church of the Larger Fellowship, and Skinner House and Beacon Press (our two associational presses).
4. Your contribution supports youth programs, youth empowerment, and resources for youth and youth advisors.
5. Your contribution supports religious education training, curricular development, communication among religious educators, the comprehensive sexuality education program, Our Whole Lives, and the UU World insert for children, UU & Me.
6. Your contribution supports our association taking important action and witnessing what our faith really means in the world: supporting human rights and democracy, caring for those who are being left behind by societies around the world, and advancing science and education around the world.
7. Your contribution plants new congregations, provide resources to struggling congregations, and reach out to people who have yet to hear about the good news of Unitarian Universalism.
8. When you're pleased with your minister, remember that it has been yoru contributions over the years that have supported Unitarian Universalist theological education, internship programs, the long process that leads to fellowshipping ministers, and the systems that provide pension investment plans, disability insurance, and dental insurance that maintain, develop, and grow our ministers. Even the ministerial search process would be much more difficult, without our on-going contributions to our district and our association of congregations.
9. APF giving has enabled the UUA to develop the programs we're now using, such as Balancing Acts: Keeping Children Safe in Congregations; materials for Conscientious Objectors; the Washington Office on Advocacy; the Planned Giving Workshop; and the SpiritPlay Religious Education Training.
10. Fair Share APF Giving supports all of our congregations in becoming even better and more amazing places. Our greatest strength is communal; we are not alone. Together we're creating not only a better today, but a better tomorrow.

* Thank you Rev. Naomi King, UU Church of Utica NY, for this thought-filled list.