As we reported earlier, our pledge campaign for the 2007 budget year achieved our goal of an overall ten percent increase in financial giving. We went from roughly $400,000 in pledges for 2006 to about $440,000 for 2007. We think, though, that it is both interesting and encouraging to break down the numbers a little further. The following table examines the distribution of pledges by selected dollar ranges:
Dollar Range 2006 2007
$1--$1,000 67 48
$1,001--$2,000 39 39
$2,001--$3,000 34 40
$3,001--$5,000 14 18
$5,001--$7,000 11 13
$7,001--$10,000 8 7
$10,000+ 1 4
_____________ ____ ___
Total pledges 174 169
The first thing to note is that we achieved our goal with 5 fewer pledges—not necessarily all good news, because we need to focus not just on total giving, but the base from which pledges are made. Nevertheless, for the moment we should all take pride that with fewer givers we gave so much more!!
Second, and more exciting, is the very significant shift toward larger pledges. Our average pledge in 2006 was $2290; in 2007, $2603—an increase of over $300 per pledge. We see a large decline in pledges of $1,000 or less, and an impressive increase in gifts over $2000. This is a trend that we cannot encourage too strongly!! And finally, we have four pledges in excess of $10,000—up from just one such pledge in 2006.
As a Parish, our generosity has moved us to a point where the clergy, the Vestry, and Committee chairs can see a St. Alban’s that can more aggressively take on the mission we have accepted and pursue more fully God’s Great Commission—go out and make disciples of the whole world. As we begin to ramp up our pledge campaign for the 2008 budget year, let’s all commit to once again move the bar a little higher and give a little more to enable us to become an even more vibrant and growing Christian community.