Ward Youth Fundraiser: Using Venmo

[chriswoodut]

Fair points. I certainly get the need to be cautious. Would be nice if we didn't have to tread softly and if we could get some direction on it. I'm pretty certain that there are wards already doing this.

Thanks for all the feedback, though. I was really curious at what others are doing.

We've done it. We kept good documentation and followed the 2-person principle.

[allenjpl]

There have been discussions about fundraising money collections in the past on this board. Venmo is simply the most recent method of collecting funds that are exchanged for goods or services in a fundraising effort. So the question isn't "How do we use Venmo," the question is "Who is authorized to collect funds, and are fundraiser funds handled in the same manner as donation?"

Funds from a fundraiser are not tithing. They are not other offerings, either. They are arguably not even donations. In my individual view, there is no restriction against someone other than the bishopric handling the funds. Think of a team of young women doing yardwork and immediately collecting money from the recipient, then turning the money over to be held in the AMFA account. In this view, Venmo-ing a central account has no more or less risk than any other fundraiser.

On the other hand, there are excellent reasons why having the bishopric handle the funds should be considered a best practice. There is a procedure already in place for safekeeping the funds and processing them. Members are also used to handing them over to the bishopric (although less so now, with the advent of online donations.)

[russellhltn]

Interestingly, reviewing the Handbook looking for guidance on handing fundraising money, it appears that's it's one fundraiser per ward per year, not per group.

Presumably, if YM and YW alternate years, then they can be separate. Otherwise, it be a combined fundraiser.

[BrianEdwards]

The only current church specs on fundraising I can find are these (perhaps there's others, I've been known to miss lots of things):
GHB 20.6.5 Fundraising Events
Help Center: Fundraising and Funding Activities
Nowhere is there specific instruction on who receives the funds. So from my reading, there's three steps to consider:
1) Can ward budget supply all needed funds?
2) If not, are funds from individual participants sufficient?
3) If not, should a group fundraiser be considered?

For (2), since individuals are responsible for providing their funds, if seems quite fine if they individually provide service and collect funds individually, and then hand them over to the Bishopric (and Venmo is a great tool for service receivers to provide money to the service givers). But if it's a group fundraiser, then it seems to fall more into the category of a "ward budget activity" and not an individual activity, so I'd think it's preferable if possible to have the funds directly given to a member of the Bishopric. But yeah, lots of grey area there, and I'm no auditor

As stated, Venmo is simply the latest (and not last!) iteration of donation methods, so I think the ultimate responsibility for questions should be directed to the local Bishop, who can consult his Stake President as needed. As with many precautionary measures, they seem burdensome until that exception occurs where disagreement about funds received becomes an ugly and contentious issue, and even the best intentions can be insufficient at that point.

[russellhltn]

I think the ultimate responsibility for questions should be directed to the local Bishop, who can consult his Stake President as needed.

Upthread, eblood66 suggested the stake president consult with the assistant area auditor.

I agree it's wise to get the auditor in agreement with what's going on.