Giving and funding
Giving opportunities
Giving procedures
Funding opportunities
Giving opportunities
Presbyterian women have been giving generously for more than 200 years. Through its Celebration Giving program, Presbyterian Women continues that tradition.
Presbyterian women answer in abundance with time, talent and treasure to those needs and activities to which we are called. Even in the most challenging times, we respond in grace and with enthusiasm. Whether channeling money to PW’s Mission Pledge, the Birthday Offering or Thank Offering, memorial or recognition gifts, or giving of time and talents through Mission Matters, Presbyterian women care in tangible ways. Through the Birthday and Thank Offerings alone, women’s generous giving has funded life-changing projects around the United States and around the world. (Download a brochure that explains the Birthday and Thank Offerings, including criteria, deadlines and grant amounts.)
If you are interested in making this “caring made tangible” a continuing reality through the giving program of Presbyterian Women, you may be called to a new leadership position, Celebration Giving representative. In this position, you will interpret the giving opportunities of Presbyterian Women and encourage participation in Celebration Giving. Learn more.
Note that financial donations to Presbyterian Women constitute PW’s budget. Also note that receipts for online giving go to the individual only; if you want your presbytery or synod to include your giving in their total(s) you must share the information with them.
Mission pledge of Presbyterian women
The PW Mission Pledge is an annual pledge to Presbyterian Women that is over and above tithes and other support to the church. Contributions to the Mission Pledge fund the work of PW at all levels and the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Without the mission pledge, the church’s ministry in the world would noticeably shrink.
See the materials that are available to promote and collect contributions to the Mission Pledge.
Birthday Offering
The Birthday Offering is a special offering collected in the spring of each year to celebrate the blessings in the lives of Presbyterian Women. No giving guidelines are suggested other than “give as you are blessed.” The offering funds up to five specific projects that are not included in ongoing General Assembly mission support.
Thank Offering
Collected each fall, the Thank Offering funds projects that meet the needs of people who are aging, disabled, homeless or displaced as well as children, youth and women through educational, health, peace and justice programs. Forty percent of this offering is used to support hospitals and community health programs. The remaining 60 percent is used for new creative ideas for mission.
Honorary Life membership
An Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women honors an individual’s faithful service in some area of church work. Men, women, moderators, leaders, teachers, officers, pastors, missionaries and staff have received this honor.
The church group conferring this honor is asked to send an Honorary Life Membership form with a check (payable to Treasurer of Presbyterian Women) to the treasurer of Presbyterian Women in their presbytery.
Memorial or recognition gift
Memorial gifts may be given in memory of the deceased. Recognition gifts may be given to provide special recognition or in lieu of an honorarium. The amount is at the discretion of the donor.
Mail the Recognition and Memorial Gift form and a check (payable to Treasurer of Presbyterian Women) to the treasurer of Presbyterian Women in your presbytery. After the PWP treasurer sends the forms (with the remittance form) to the national level, PW national staff will send an acknowledgement letter and certificate to the appropriate person as indicated on the form.
Other giving
Together in Service
In addition to performing self-selected mission projects, you can also be Together in Service through financial gifts. The generosity of Presbyterian women to Together in Service will fund mission initiatives such as health care, education and Bible study as well as support for existing denominational and ecumenical programs. Learn more.
Fellowship of the Least Coin
The Fellowship of the Least Coin (FLC) is an ecumenical prayer movement focused on peace, justice and reconciliation. As each of us offers prayers, we should set aside a least coin as a symbol of our prayers. As they are collected, these coins join many others from all parts of the world to advance the causes of justice, peace and reconciliation and to support a variety of projects that help women and children achieve a better life.
Widening the Circle Endowment Fund
The Widening the Circle Endowment Fund will enable innovative programs to equip and enable an increasing number of younger women — at home, college and workplace — to be in leadership roles in the church at every level. It will also provide networking programs to build a community of sisterhood locally and globally, addressing common concerns and advocating for issues that are unique to women as well as establish a means for the collection of theological insights from a diverse and inclusive community of women.
Please indicate if the donation is being mad by an individual, congregation, presbytery, synod or other entity (please specify) and indicate your name and address.
Gifts may be made by sending a check (noting "Widening the Circle Fund, Account #1020058979" in the memo line) to:
Presbyterian Foundation
200 East 12th Street
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Don’t forget, Mission Matters is another way to give generously to Presbyterian Women, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the world!
Giving procedures
In congregations
Each presbytery has quarterly deadlines for when the PW in the Presbytery treasurer should receive contributions from congregations. If you do not know the deadlines or do not have the form used by your presbytery, email Presbyterian Women to find out the name and contact information of your PWP treasurer.
In Presbyteries
PW in the Presbytery treasurers should forward contributions received from congregations to Presbyterian Women Churchwide (with the PW in the Presbytery Remittance form) according to the quarterly deadlines:
- March 15
- June 15
- September 15
- December 15
Download a remittance form for PW in the Presbyteries.
If you have questions, contact Rhonda Martin.
Funding opportunities
Leadership Development Fund
A grant from the Leadership Development Fund will provide funds to allow women to attend training or events to develop and strengthen their leadership skills. Grants are available for up to $500 (reimbursable upon documentation). Get information about the grant and download an application.
Birthday Offering Grants
Birthday Offering grants range from $200,000 to $500,000. Grant applications come from a variety of sources, such as PC(USA) governing bodies, health agencies, overseas churches, ecumenical councils, community groups, educational institutions and church related groups. Filing deadline is May 15. Get the criteria for grant eligibility and an application.
Thank Offering Grant
Thank Offering grants range from $5,000 to $50,000 and fund projects such as agricultural development, child care, community organization, criminal justice, drug counseling, economic justice, elderly care, employment training, homelessness, literacy, violence and women’s concerns. The filing deadline is September 15. Learn the criteria for Thank Offering Grants and download an application.
