Ways to Give
Support What Matters Most — Our Community,
At Cedar Lane, we nurture the heart of our community through uplifting worship, life-changing faith formation, caring pastoral support, and bold social justice work. Every program, every moment of connection, and every act of compassion is made possible because of generous supporters like you.
As a self-funded congregation, we rely entirely on your contributions to meet our annual budget. Your gift directly supports the people, programs, and mission that make Cedar Lane a spiritual home for so many.
Thank you for your generosity
Annual Fund Campaign
Each year, Cedar Lane invites members and friends to make an annual financial commitment to help sustain our shared spiritual home. Your annual pledge is more than a donation—it’s a statement of faith in the work we do together.
By letting us know your intended level of giving, you help Cedar Lane plan responsibly, support our staff, and continue offering vibrant worship, pastoral care, faith formation, community building, and justice work.
Share the Plate
Each Sunday, we receive a Share the Plate offering to support Cedar Lane’s mission and ministry and to uplift organizations doing justice work in the wider world. Half of what we give goes to a partner cause that aligns with our values, the other half helps sustain our vibrant community.
Leave a Legacy
Leave a legacy by including Cedar Lane in your estate plans. Your planned gift helps ensure that our values, community, and ministries continue to thrive for generations to come. You can also make a gift to the Endowment Fund or establish a living legacy that supports Cedar Lane’s future today.
In Memoriam
Make a gift in memory of a loved one and honor their life by supporting the ongoing work and care of the Cedar Lane community.
Memory Wall Gift
Cedar Lane’s Memory Wall offers a lasting tribute to members who have touched our lives. Bronze nameplates, engraved with a loved one’s name and their birth and death years, are permanently placed on the stone wall in our Memory Garden, a space of beauty, remembrance, and reflection. Each spring, we hold a special dedication ceremony following Sunday worship to honor those newly added to the wall.
Cedar Lane Marketplace
The Cedar Lane Marketplace connects members through shared skills and services, everything from tech help to tutoring. With over 125 participants and 30+ offerings currently, it’s a great way to give and receive within our community.
Update your requests or report completed exchanges by emailing marketplace@cedarlane.org.
Annual Fund Campaign – Frequently Asked Questions
Each year, Cedar Lane invites members and friends to make a pledge of financial support for the upcoming congregational year as part of our Annual Fund Campaign.
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about how the campaign works and how your pledge helps sustain our community.
Each year, Cedar Lane invites members and friends to make a pledge of financial support for the upcoming congregational year as part of our Annual Fund Campaign.
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about how the campaign works and how your pledge helps sustain our community.
What does it mean to pledge or make a sustaining gift?
To make a pledge is to tell Cedar Lane of your intentions to financially support the congregation. The second step is to set up your gift, frequently a recurring gift from a credit card or bank account. Together, these allow Cedar Lane to plan and budget, feeling confident that we will have funds to support programs and staff.
Your contributions support vibrant worship services, a thriving faith formation program, small group ministries, social justice initiatives, and compassionate pastoral care.
How does giving resonate with our UU values?
- How does generosity embody the interconnectedness of all and contribute to collective healing?
- What does my UU faith inspire me to be and do?
- How does love manifest within Cedar Lane in life-changing ways?
How much should I pledge?
Cedar Lane is a financially diverse community. Each individual and family is encouraged to contribute at a level that aligns with their current situation. While some may be able to offer more substantial support, others may face limitations.
And, as Cedar Lane prepares to launch our Annual Fund Campaign in February 2025, many are experiencing uncertainty about employment, housing, access to medical care, and more. Your income may be in flux, reduced, or unknown. If you feel unable to make a financial commitment right now, that is ok. If you are comfortable doing so, please let us know. We will stop asking you.
To assist in determining your financial commitment, Cedar Lane provides the Giving Guide below. We invite you to give generously according to your means.
What are the costs of operating Cedar Lane? How much do we need to raise?
Cedar Lane’s annual budget is about $1.4 million, with pledges and sustaining gifts contributing about 65%. You can access a copy of the annual operating budget for the current year here.
Our goal for Cedar Lane’s Annual Fund Campaign is to raise $950,000, a 5% increase from the previous year.
When and how do I fulfill my pledge?
To make a pledge is to tell Cedar Lane of your intentions to financially support the congregation. The second step is to set up your gift, frequently a recurring gift from a credit card or bank account.
The full menu of options for giving to Cedar Lane is:
- Secure Online Gifts with a Credit or Debit Card, or from your Bank AccountYou can use your credit or debit card, or bank account to make a one-time payment or to set up a recurring payment. Cedar Lane particularly values recurring payments.
All online payment processors charge a minimal fee. Like many organizations, Cedar Lane provides you with the option to cover these fees.
If you require assistance making a gift, please reach out to Clare Jacocks (cjacocks@cedarlane.org / 301-493-8300 x310).- Bank Bill PayYou can request that your bank send a check to Cedar Lane, either as a one-time payment or as a recurring payment. You’ll need to set it up using your bank’s online bill pay feature.
- CheckYou may mail a check or drop one in our Sunday plate. Please ensure your name is on the check and write “pledge” in the memo line. On Sunday morning, checks without “pledge” indicated are counted as part of the collection plate.
Checks can be sent to the office at: Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Attn: Clare Jacocks, 9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814 - IRA Qualified Charitable DistributionQualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) offer a way for individuals aged 70-1/2 or older to potentially reduce their income taxes by making charitable donations directly from their IRA accounts. You can find more information and answers to common questions about QCDs on the IRS site here. Please contact your financial institution for specific details and instructions.
- Stock or Mutual Fund DonationYou may also fulfill your pledge through a transfer of stock or mutual funds. Please reach out to Clare Jacocks (cjacocks@cedarlane.org / 301-493-8300 ext. 310) for an instruction sheet that you can provide to your broker.
- Donor Advised Fund or Recommended GrantConsult with your financial advisor or tax professional regarding this option. While some guidance may suggest that donor advised funds cannot be used to fulfill pledges, it’s essential to note that this restriction typically applies only to legally binding pledges. Pledges made to Cedar Lane during the Annual Fund Campaign are NOT legally binding, allowing for the possibility of using this option to give.
What about other forms of support, such as donations of money, items, or time?
While contributions of all kinds are deeply valued, they do not substitute for pledges and recurring gifts. Gifts to the Sunday morning offering plate or at the annual auction are distinct. Pledges and sustaining gifts are indispensable for the congregation’s long-term planning and sustainability. (Please note – – if you intend to make a pledge payment on Sunday morning, kindly indicate “pledge payment” in the memo.)
Volunteers are the lifeblood of Cedar Lane, generously offering their time and talent. However, financial support is equally crucial for funding our diverse programs and meeting our financial obligations.
Can I designate my gifts to support a specific program instead of the general operating fund?
Pledging and giving to the operating fund ensures that Cedar Lane has the resources needed to sustain all of its programs, ministries, and operational expenses. While supporting specific programs or ministries is valuable, contributing to the operating fund allows Cedar Lane to cover essential costs such as staff salaries, utilities, maintenance, and other overhead expenses. This broader support ensures the overall health and sustainability of Cedar Lane.
However, if you are moved to make a designated gift, we kindly ask you to reach out to Cedar Lane’s Executive Director, Jen Morley, at jmorley@cedarlane.org or call 301-493-8300 ext. 209 before making your gift.
What if I am unable to fulfill my pledge?
Financial difficulties should never prevent your involvement in Cedar Lane. In times of both abundance and challenge, we stand united as a community. If you find yourself unable to fulfill all or part of your pledge, please reach out to our Executive Director, Jen Morley (jmorley@cedarlane.org / 301-493-8300 ext. 209), or one of our ministers.
Is my pledge tax deductible?
Since Cedar Lane is a 501(c)(3) non-profit religious organization, your contributions are tax deductible. Our office will send end-of-the-year statements via email around January 31, which you can use for tax purposes.
Still have questions, who can answer them?
Please don’t hesitate to contact us! You can reach out to Jen Morley, our Executive Director, at (jmorley@cedarlane.org / 301-493-8300 ext. 209).