Giving

Impact of Giving

We don’t give because God or CCoF need our money. We believe that how we view God will determine what we think about money. Through Scripture and lived experience, we believe that God is a loving owner of everything. As such, we trust His plan for our money and believe that giving is part of God’s best for each of us. Giving shows that we trust that God is for us, not against us.

Other Ways to Give

Individual Retirement Fund (IRA)

If you have an Individual Retirement Account, you have a very flexible asset for your stewardship and generosity. Once you reach 70.5 years of age, you can make Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) – a direct distribution from your IRA to a qualified charity – to fund your charitable desires without paying income tax on the distributions. After you begin taking required minimum distributions, a QCD can even qualify to meet them. And finally, you can name a charity as beneficiary continuing your stewardship when you no longer need the IRA.

Stocks

Your dollars can go further and make a bigger impact when you donate long-term appreciated securities including stock, bonds and mutual funds. Compared with donating cash or selling your appreciated securities and contributing the after-tax proceeds, you may be able to automatically increase your gift and your tax deduction. When you donate stock to CCoF you generally take a tax deduction for the full market value.

If you would like assistance or have questions, select the “Donate Stocks” button and complete the form to let us know you’re interested.

Crypto Currency

We are also able to accept donations of most types of cryptocurrency for those who desire to use this method.

We are working with a full-service provider that will furnish the appraisal (if required) and help with the IRS form 8283 that is required to deduct some gifts of cryptocurrency to nonprofit organizations.

Donor Advised Fund

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a simple, flexible, and tax-advantageous way to manage your charitable donations. You can fund a DAF with nearly any asset of value. Your DAF provides you with a charitable deduction in the year of your contribution, then you can recommend grants to your favorite ministries as you desire.

Real Estate & Business Assets

If you own real estate – commercial, investment, farming, or vacation – that you plan to sell, you may be able to leverage it into many benefits, including donations to your favorite ministries. Often, those selling appreciated real estate will face capital gains taxes. Using charitable strategies can provide you with excellent benefits.

Similar charitable tax benefits are available for those selling a business or other appreciated securities. With proper planning, sales of such assets can provide benefits for you, your family, and your favorite ministries.

Will & Trust Advisement

Did you know you can continue helping others follow Jesus – even after you’ve gone to be with him? Through a charitable bequest or trust distribution to Christ’s Church of Flagstaff, you can continue your legacy of ministry and stewardship.

Financial Transparency and Accountability

Our financial books are audited bi-annually by an external auditing firm. Our 2023 audit yielded highly favorable results, highlighting our strong financial
compliance.
Our elders and senior staff perform an annual budget review.
Our finance committee engages in reviewing financial reports monthly to ensure
adherence to our financial guidelines.
We maintain an emergency savings fund equal to three months of expenses.
We diversify savings funds.
We maintain a staff cost at or below 50% of budget as per best-practice.
Our current debt to income ratio is 11%. Best-practice is less than 30-33%.

Financial Update

Financial transparency is a priority at CCoF. We share a quarterly financial update that shows how giving is trending and also shows how the dollars are being used to create a kingdom impact.

FAQs

What are Guiding Teachings from Scripture on Finances and Giving?

God owns everything. You are a steward of God’s resources. You are God’s money manager. The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalm 24:1)
The Parable of the Bags of Gold (Matthew 25:14-30)
Everything you have is a gift from God. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights. (James 1:17) What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (1 Corinthians 4:7)
God deserves your first and best. Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. (Proverbs 3:9)
You are to give thoughtfully and cheerfully. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

What is Tithing 10%?

Tithing is returning the first 10% of your income (asset resources) to God. Tithing is what God considers the baseline of generosity towards his house and mission. Tithing is expressing your trust in God as your provider. God has provided faithfully for our church. And, we know He will provide faithfully for you and your family when you put Him first in your finances. In fact, tithing is the one area in the Bible where God tells you to test Him

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. “Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” (Malachi 3:10)

How do I view my contribution statement?

The easiest way to view your contribution statement is through the CCoF app.

Click the person icon in the upper-right hand corner of the app.

If needed, authenticate using your cellphone (no username and password needed).

Once authenticated you will see your name listed.

Click My Giving midway down the page.

Click Giving Statements midway down the page.

Contact amber@ccof.church for assistance.

How do I change my recurring giving?

You can change your recurring giving in the CCoF app or online. This article has detailed explanations of the process. https://help.pushpay.com/s/knowledge/How-to-Manage-My-Payment-Schedules

You can always reach out to amber@ccof.church for assistance.

Will I receive a giving statement?

Yes, we provide giving statements periodically via email if you have given during the period of the statement. Our ability to provide you with a statement is based on having your most up to date email address. Please contact amber@ccof.church to update this information. You can always access your giving statement via the CCoF app or online-please see the previous FAQ “How do I view my contribution statement?” for more information.

What is the deadline for donations to be tax deductible in this year?

Cash and check contributions must be received or postmarked by December 31 to be included on your giving statement for the current year. Online transactions must be initiated by 11:59pm Az time on December 31 to be included. Please contact the Finance Department at amber@ccof.church with any questions about the contributions deadlines.

Financial Resources

Stewards Way

The Steward’s Way is a comprehensive discipleship study that produces transformational growth in believers by equipping and challenging them to live as stewards in every area of their lives. The Better Way Giving study frames a biblical basis for personal giving decisions.

Rock Solid Finances

Rock Solid Finances is an online class that teaches the basic financial strategies based on the truth of God’s Word cover topics such as budgeting, debt elimination, savings, and honoring God with our Finances.