Offerings, Donations & Bequests
Offerings, Donations & Bequests
The Church accepts all of the following to help assist it in maintaining its operations and purpose:
- Offerings – Payment made for attending an activity at the Church
- Donations – Donations include financial donations, library books and other donations
- Bequests - Giving or leaving something in one’s will
These are all important for the Church to continue operating.
The Church needs to increase its income each year to sustain its operations and maintain the building and grounds.
This is because:
A. The running costs of the Church, including the cost of insurance, utilities, repairs & maintenance, etc., continue to increase each year.
B. The maintenance costs of the buildings and grounds, are significant each year. This is especially the case in recent years as the main Church building (heritage listed) needs both repairs and upgrades to keep it compliant and safe.
How Can I Pay?
People currently pay their Offerings, etc. by one the following methods:
- Cash
- EFT
- Cheque
We are looking at having a card payment system in place by early to mid 2024.
We will issue a receipt for each donation kindly received.
Please advise us if a donation is made by EFT so we can issue a receipt. Please ask for more details.
Offerings
Offerings are monies collected from members and visitors who attend a Church activity.
This is also known as the Plate or Collection in many churches.
Offerings are important as they are a main source of Church Income.
The Church has a policy of asking for a “free-will offering” (i.e. no fixed charge).
This is done so that anyone can afford to attend an activity held by the Church.
We ask that people consider the considerable costs of keeping the Church operating when making your offering.
We thank all for their continued generosity in the offerings that they make to the Church.
Financial Donations
The Church accepts financial donations received to support the Church.
We greatly appreciate the continued generosity of Church members and the many others who make additional donations to the Church. Each donations helps to keep the Church operating.
It is possible for a donation to be used for a specific purpose (e.g. the Church building or garden).
Please note that we cannot give a Tax Deductible Receipt for any donations made.
The Church does not have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status with the ATO.
General donations to churches are currently not tax deductible in Australia.
Please contact us for more information on how to organise such a donation.
Library Donations
The Church has a member library which contains a wide range books on the spiritualist philosophy and related areas. There are also books which are spiritual classics in their area.
We will happily consider most books in these areas which would be used by our members to increase their knowledge. We would particularly welcome books by White Eagle, the Church mystics, Theosophy, Rudolf Steiner.
Church members have access to the library. Membership is open to all which support &/or attend the Church. Please ask about membership.
Please contact us to make a time to bring the books in.
Other Donations
The Church has received kind donations of items and equipment used in in the church and during services, such as hymn books.
Some people have also provided consumables used in the Church (e.g. printer paper), the kitchen and the garden (e.g. Seasol, bags of compost).
Each donations is received with thanks as they help the operation &/or the finances of the Church.
Please see or contact us for more information if you have something that you would to donate.
Bequests In Wills
The Church has received some bequests (specific donations in wills) from supporters in the past. These have greatly helped assist to maintaining the Church's buildings and grounds.
The Church would be most pleased to receive future bequests. Please consult your legal advisor for more information on how to make such a bequest.
The Church’s legal name is "Progressive Spiritualists Church Inc."
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do You Make Profits?
The Church is a non-profit religious faith-based organisation operating in Western Australia.
We aim to break-even each year with an additional surplus to pay for future repairs and maintenance as and when needed.
How Are Any Monies Used?
All monies received are used for the day-to-day running of the Church and to maintain the Church, grounds and associated assets.
These costs increase every year (see above).
Does Anyone Get Paid?
No. None of the ministers or Church executive are paid for their services.
All of the Church's operations are all done on a volunteer basis.
Legal Information
The Church is an incorporated, tax exempt non-profit association.
All assets are owned by the Church members.
We are registered both locally and nationally as:
o A Non-Profit Organisation with the ACNC (The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission)
o An Incorporated Association with Consumer Protection in WA (since 1934).
o A Tax Exempt Charity with the ATO