Nonmember Donation
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Nonmember Donation
A member recently passed away. His non-member spouse donated [a sum of money] to be spent on ward activities. Not sure what to do with that. Thanks!
[Moderator note: Removed the exact amount for privacy concerns.]
[Moderator note: Removed the exact amount for privacy concerns.]
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Re: Nonmember Donation
Sounds like a quandary to me per the handbook. Suggest your bishop or branch president consult same and/or talk to the stake or mission president as applicable.
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Re: Nonmember Donation
Non-members can be donors. That is why MLS/LCR has donor records vs. membership records.
Dana Repouille, Plattsmouth, Nebraska
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Re: Nonmember Donation
I would think the problem is not so much that the donor is a non-member but that the donation is not for an allowed purpose. Ward activities are paid out of budget funds and donations to budget aren't allowed. But I expect they don't want to offend the donor by refusing the donation.
Depending on the situation there might be some possible options. Perhaps the donor would be happy to have the funds used for YM and YW camp (although even there the rules for funding camps don't mention 3rd party donations other than in connection with a fund raiser). Or perhaps the ward could have a service activity and use the funds for things related to providing the service (so the donation doesn't fund the activity but rather the service). In any case, it would be up to the bishop, in consultation with the stake president, to determine whether this is an appropriate and allowed use for the funds.
On the more technical side, if the bishop decides the donation can be accepted and used, the money should go into an appropriately name Other account for whatever specific purpose is decided on. It should not be deposited in a Budget account.
Depending on the situation there might be some possible options. Perhaps the donor would be happy to have the funds used for YM and YW camp (although even there the rules for funding camps don't mention 3rd party donations other than in connection with a fund raiser). Or perhaps the ward could have a service activity and use the funds for things related to providing the service (so the donation doesn't fund the activity but rather the service). In any case, it would be up to the bishop, in consultation with the stake president, to determine whether this is an appropriate and allowed use for the funds.
On the more technical side, if the bishop decides the donation can be accepted and used, the money should go into an appropriately name Other account for whatever specific purpose is decided on. It should not be deposited in a Budget account.
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Re: Nonmember Donation
And part of the quandary is that most donations to the Other account may not be tax deductible.
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Re: Nonmember Donation
One possibility is to send it to Tithing. It won't go to the ward's activities, but it will go to church activities world-wide.
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Re: Nonmember Donation
That's not recommended by the Handbook (see 34.3), first paragraph.russellhltn wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 3:58 pm One possibility is to send it to Tithing. It won't go to the ward's activities, but it will go to church activities world-wide.
However, only members of the Church may pay tithing.
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Re: Nonmember Donation
I suppose one might skirt that by claiming it's coming from the deceased member's estate.jonesrk wrote: ↑Tue Feb 15, 2022 11:57 amThat's not recommended by the Handbook (see 34.3), first paragraph.russellhltn wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 3:58 pm One possibility is to send it to Tithing. It won't go to the ward's activities, but it will go to church activities world-wide.However, only members of the Church may pay tithing.
Short of putting it to the youth big activity, I don't know how else to properly direct it to church activities.
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Re: Nonmember Donation
Fast Offeringsrussellhltn wrote: ↑Tue Feb 15, 2022 12:09 pm Short of putting it to the youth big activity, I don't know how else to properly direct it to church activities.
General Missionary Fund
Ward Missionary Fund
Humanitarian Aid
Book of Mormon
Temple Construction
Any of these would normally be tax deductible under the correct circumstances. I would let the bishop ask the family if they have a preference. In my experience, Humanitarian Aid is usually chosen.
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Re: Nonmember Donation
That's a different take on "activity" then I was thinking of, but that might work.
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