A capital campaign is a focused fundraising effort within a church or organization to raise a significant amount of money over a defined period, usually for a specific project or capital improvement. At Yarrow Alliance Church, our capital campaign aims to secure funds to renovate and expand our existing facility to better serve our community and congregation.

This campaign allows us to collectively work towards a shared goal of enhancing our church's infrastructure and impact, by making 3-year faith pledges, enabling everyone to contribute according to their means and commitments.

This campaign is pivotal in advancing our church's mission. It will enable us to enhance our programs for children and youth, foster deeper connections within our church family, ensure wheelchair accessibility, create a warm and welcoming environment for pre- and post-service gatherings, and offer a delightful space for serving food and coffee.

Additionally, it allows us to open our doors to the community for regular gatherings and establishes a wonderful venue for church and community events. This campaign will empower us to better fulfill our mission of serving and uniting our Yarrow Alliance family and the broader community.

We're embarking on this capital campaign because “it's time” to turn our long-held plans into reality. We've been diligently planning these important upgrades for years, but various challenges like the COVID pandemic and other disruptions have derailed our progress.

Now, we're ready to move forward. "It's Time" reflects our commitment to Reflect on our journey, Get Ready for the changes, Gather together as a community, Give generously to support this vision, and Grow in our faith and service. This campaign represents a pivotal moment for our church, and “it's time” for us all to unite to make it happen.

Our hopes and dreams for these facility improvements are huge!

We envision a space where our church family and the Yarrow community can unite in warmth and fellowship. We dream of creating a hub for vibrant kids and youth programs, a platform for enhanced digital ministries to connect with you better, and a welcoming space for local outreach efforts. Our deepest hope is to nurture connections, moving from handshakes to heartfelt conversations, while ensuring accessibility for all.

We aspire to provide a comfortable environment for our Yarrow Alliance family to gather, converse, and enjoy food and coffee, fostering a sense of unity. Moreover, we dream of opening our doors to the community for regular gatherings and establishing a versatile venue for church and community events. These improvements represent our collective vision to strengthen our bonds and serve both our church family and the wider Yarrow community.

Yes, the Capital Campaign pledge is separate from your regular tithe. While tithing supports the ongoing operational needs of the church, your pledge to the Capital Campaign is a commitment specifically directed towards the building and facility improvements. This dual commitment allows us to meet our church's immediate and long-term needs, ensuring we can continue growing and serving our community effectively.

You have the flexibility to pay your Capital Campaign pledge over a period of three years. This extended timeframe enables you to fulfill your commitment at a pace that aligns with your financial capacity and circumstances, making it more manageable for everyone to contribute to this important endeavour.

We've designated the week of December 11-17 for pledge commitments. During this week, you can submit your pledge through the method that works best for you, in person at the church or by following the specific instructions provided at that time. We want to ensure the process is convenient and accessible for everyone who wishes to participate.

Absolutely, you have the option to give a one-time lump sum instead of a 3-year pledge if that's more convenient or preferable for you. We appreciate any form of contribution, and your support is instrumental in helping us achieve our capital campaign goals.

Yes, pledges made to the Yarrow Alliance Church Capital Campaign are tax deductible. In general, charitable contributions to nonprofit organizations, such as churches, are eligible for tax deductions in many jurisdictions. However, tax laws and regulations can vary depending on your location, so it's essential to consult with a tax professional or accountant for specific guidance on your individual tax situation. They can provide accurate information and ensure you receive the appropriate contribution tax benefits.

Our goal for the Capital Campaign is to raise $1.4 million. While this is our target, it's important to note that capital campaigns typically aim to raise 2.5 times as much as a church's annual budget. Using this rule of thumb, our campaign could potentially raise anywhere from $1 million to $1.4 million. To determine our goal of $1.4 million, we enlisted the help of Capital Campaign consultant Gord Hallett. Leveraging Gord's knowledge and experience, we determined that this goal is achievable and meaningful for our community if we all come together to support it.

The three-year projected timeline for the Capital Campaign has been carefully considered for practical and community-building purposes. First and foremost, it offers financial flexibility to our congregation, enabling individuals and families to make contributions that align with their financial capacity. This extended timeframe ensures everyone can participate in the campaign without causing undue financial strain.

Moreover, the three-year timeline supports responsible stewardship of resources. It allows us to strategically plan and allocate funds, maximizing their impact on our building project. This phased approach also aligns with the construction and renovation needs, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently.

Additionally, the longer timeline promotes a strong sense of community engagement, encouraging our congregation to work together over an extended period towards shared goals. It's an approach that meets our financial needs and strengthens our sense of unity and commitment as a church family.

We don't think so, and here's why:

We understand that a campaign goal of $1.4 million may seem significant, but it's important to emphasize that this amount was determined carefully considering our congregation's capacity and resources. We can achieve this goal together as a community.

The three-year timeline allows individuals and families to make contributions that align with their financial circumstances. Our goal is not to burden anyone but rather to encourage participation at a meaningful and comfortable level for each member of our church family. We are committed to fostering a spirit of unity and shared purpose as we work together to support this vital project.

This campaign is not about equal gifts because we all have different income levels, but it is about equal sacrifices. If we all sacrifice, we can complete this project.

2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "Each one should give as he has chosen in his heart to give. You should not be sorry that you gave or feel forced to give. 'God loves a man who is happy to give.'

The funds raised through the Capital Campaign will be directed toward several vital projects to enhance our church facility. These projects include:

• New Building Addition: We plan to construct a new building addition on the front of the sanctuary. This addition will provide additional space to accommodate various church and community activities.

• Improved Washroom Facilities: The campaign will support renovating and expanding our washroom facilities, ensuring convenience and accessibility for all attendees.

• Wheelchair Accessibility: We are committed to making our facility fully wheelchair accessible, allowing everyone to participate in our gatherings and events without barriers.

• New Commercial Kitchen: The campaign will fund the development of a new commercial kitchen, facilitating the preparation and serving of food for church and community gatherings.

• Updated HVAC System: To ensure comfortable and climate-controlled spaces, we will update our heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.

• New Windows: The campaign will contribute to replacing windows in our facility, enhancing energy efficiency and aesthetics.

• Siding Repair: Additionally, we will address the issue of rotting siding on our building, ensuring our church's structural integrity and visual appeal.

These projects collectively aim to create a more welcoming, accessible, and functional space for our congregation and the broader Yarrow community. Your support and contributions will help bring these improvements to fruition, allowing us to serve our mission better and connect with one another.

If the Capital Campaign exceeds its fundraising goal and generates surplus funds beyond the targeted $1.4 million, these additional resources will be allocated thoughtfully and strategically to enhance our church and its mission further. The surplus will be designated toward essential projects and initiatives that align with our mission and vision, ensuring that every dollar raised contributes to the growth and well-being of our church community.

The church leadership will determine the specific allocation of surplus funds, considering the most pressing needs and opportunities. The ultimate goal is to use any surplus to benefit our congregation and the broader Yarrow community, fostering continued growth, connection, and service in the spirit of our mission. Your generous support and contributions to the campaign will help us make the most of this opportunity to strengthen our church and its impact.

The Yarrow Alliance Church has approximately $550,000 in the bank, and the estimated renovation project cost is approximately $2 million. If we successfully raise the full $1.4 million through the Capital Campaign, it will significantly reduce the need for securing a mortgage. While we aim to cover as much of the project costs as possible with the campaign funds, any remaining amount required to complete the renovation may be addressed through other means, such as a mortgage or additional fundraising efforts.

Our goal is to minimize financial burdens and ensure the sustainability of our church while enhancing our facility to serve the community better. Your support and contributions to the campaign will play a crucial role in achieving this goal and determining whether we can eliminate the need for a mortgage.