What is a pledge?
Simply put, a pledge is a promise to pay later. When you make a pledge, you are committing to making regular gifts in the coming year. Pledging allows you to think about what you are able to offer for 2026 and split up your gift into smaller, regular payments.
What’s the difference between a pledge and a donation?
Pledges symbolize a commitment to give consistently to help support the costs, operations, facilities, and ministries of our church, while donations tend to be one-time offerings.
What’s the benefit of pledging?
Pledging is critical in allowing our Vestry members, who are elected by the parishioners, to create a budget for the 2026 year. Your pledges help the Vestry members determine how we are going to allocate our resources to cover our expenses, which include everything from our basic bills (electricity, water, gas) and essential operational costs; our liturgy like Eucharist supplies, our choir and organ maintenance expenses; to our Open Hearts food and clothing ministries which serve nearly 500 guests per week. Your pledges create the lifeline for our church to continue!
What is the impact of pledging? How much have our pledge campaigns raised in the past?
Our church expenses total nearly $1.4 million per year. Our pledges cover about 15-20% of our operating expenses. In the past years our pledge campaigns have raised between $185,000-$200,000 and we have had about 50 pledgers.
Parishioners give generously, and as they are able; pledges range from $10 to $3,000 a month.
Of these, half of our monthly pledges are between $50-$450. Every gift, no matter how small or large, makes a difference!
Do I need to pledge monthly?
Many parishioners pledge monthly, and that is certainly an option. If you prefer a different pledging schedule, you can make your selection when you submit your pledge online.
Are my pledge payments made automatically?
No. In the new year, you can submit your pledge payments by setting up automatic payments through our online Giving Form, or mailing in a check.
What are other ways I can give?
You can give by making one-time donations online or via check, placing gifts in the offertory plate during service, supporting property projects and renovations directly, purchasing stocks as a gift to the Church, and leaving a bequest to Church of the Holy Trinity in your will. Please contact Property Committee Chairperson Susan Leidy at susan.l.leidy@gmail.com to learn more about supporting necessary property projects. For other questions, please contact our Director of Development & Communications Inaara Neal-Shiraz at communications@htrit.org.
