Giving is an act of faith. Neuroscience has proven that practicing generosity, including habitual giving, makes us happier than keeping all of our money for ourselves. Sounds a bit cheeky coming from a church—but we believe it, because we have seen generosity’s soul-magic work wonders in our lives. We “plant” our treasure in a community garden (so to speak), and watch it yield more than it ever would in our private plot. What Jesus said is true: “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” [Matthew 6:21]
Your financial giving to First Church Berkeley is what provides the vital revenue needed for the operation and maintenance of our buildings, paying our staff, and funding the important work of our ministries. Your gifts help further the mission and values of First Church Berkeley. And if you’d like to learn more about how we spend our money, and understand more about our sources of giving and financial health, read through our Annual Report. All of our budget information is publicly available. Your support of First Church Berkeley, whether through your financial support, participating in worship, volunteering, being active in our ministries, and keeping the congregation and wider community in your prayers – is deeply needed and appreciated. Thank you!
Ways to Give
There are many ways to make a financial gift to First Church Berkeley! Please consider becoming a Sustaining Giver to First Church Berkeley to help with the church’s ongoing operations and ministries, as well as remembering First Church Berkeley in your estate planning, through Planned Giving to the First Church Berkeley Legacy Circle.
Sustaining Giving is our language for what other churches might call "pledging" or just regular giving. Many of the members, friends, and regular attenders of First Church commit to giving regularly so we have a steady, predictable income to use for our mission and ministry. Sustaining Givers keep the lights on, the bills paid, salaries paid to our wonderful staff, and the building maintained.
Become a Sustaining Giver to First Church Berkeley
Set up Automatic Giving through Realm Database
Requires signup – contact [email protected] for help
please note that the instructions still ask you to contact our former Business Manager, Kit Dunbar. We are currently hiring a new Director of Operations--in the meantime, please contact Louise Halsey with Realm questions!
Download the Printable Sustaining Giving Commitment Form and mail it to:
First Church Berkeley
2330 Durant Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
Or simply email [email protected] and we will help you get set up as a Sustaining Giver.
Join the Build. Gather. Grow. Capital Campaign!
Make a one-time gift to First Church Berkeley
Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
Donate Stock or other Securities
Donating securities is a wonderful way to make a charitable gift to First Church Berkeley. The process is simple with the following information:
Broker: Morgan Stanley
Attn: Egan Brown
Email Address: [email protected]
Account Name: First Congregational Church of Berkeley
Account Number: 030-129580-047
DTC#: 0015
Phone: 510-891-5215
Please contact First Church staff by email at [email protected]g to notify the church about what stock(s) you are donating (name and number of shares), and how the stocks should be applied, and so we may credit and thank you for your contribution! Your securities will be transferred to Egan Brown, First Church Berkeley’s designated broker. We will sell the stocks upon receipt. You will receive a letter from First Church Berkeley detailing your gift for tax purposes.
Please note that the stock gift instructions also reference our previous business manager, Kit Dunbar. The information within is still correct and updated information will be made available once our hiring process is complete for a new Director of Operations who will fulfill the same duties.
Become a Member of First Church Berkeley’s Legacy Circle through your Planned Giving
Stewardship Educational Resources
Just as we don’t view stewardship as a “once a year” thing, like only thinking about “annual pledging to the operating budget,” First Church Berkeley considers stewardship a year-round faith-inspired activity which will ensure the long-term sustainability of this important faith institution in Berkeley and the broader community. Likewise, our church’s stewardship program includes an emphasis on continual congregational engagement and education. We try to hold 2-3 workshops per year on a variety of topics, including financial management, wills and bequests, and planned giving. Previous workshop materials and upcoming opportunities are shown below.