Definitions

The purpose of the Angel Fund is to meet people's basic needs. The fund is an officially recognized and designated a permanent fund, established by the church governing board. The fund will not be used for church operations. As such, it is an approved recipient for designated giving. Its receipts consist entirely of designated giving, and its expenses consist of funds disbursed for its stated intended purposes at the direction of the Angel Fund Committee. If this fund is discontinued for any reason, the remaining balance will be donated to a charitable organization chosen by the Angel Fund Committee.

Angel Fund Committee

The Angel Fund Committee serves at the appointment of the minister for a one-year term. The Angel Fund Committee will consist of the minister and Prayer Chaplains appointed by the minister. There is no restriction on the number of consecutive years a member may serve on the Angel Fund committee. The Angel Fund Committee does not consist of a fixed number of members.

Purposes

The purpose of this document is to set forth the responsibilities of the Angel Fund Committee and the guidelines for discharging those responsibilities. The guidelines can be amended from time to time by the Angel Fund Committee. The minister has ultimate responsibility and accountability for the Angel Fund and will necessarily make many decisions to disburse monies from the fund—according to its charter, and subject to these guidelines.

The fund achieves this purpose primarily specific disbursement at the direction of the Angel Fund Committee or the minister to assist approved church members.

Oversight and Accountability

The Angel Fund Committee is accountable to the church board. The Angel Fund Committee will interface with the church board when necessary.

Income

The only regular source of income for the Angel Fund is through offerings, may be taken periodically during a worship service.

Gifts intended for the Angel Fund can simply be designated as such at the time the gift is given. Members of the congregation, however, will not be encouraged to give to the Angel Fund in lieu of giving to the general fund of the church (e.g., an adult fellowship, support group, etc.), and funds designated for the Angel Fund must conform to the policy manual.

Guidelines for Disbursement

General Guidelines

The Angel Fund is intended as a source of last resort, to be used when the family or individual requesting assistance has explored all other possibilities of help from family, friends, savings, or investments. It is intended to be a temporary help during a time of crisis.

Assistance from the Angel Fund is intended to be a one-time gift. In unusual circumstances, the Angel Fund Committee may decide to help an individual or family more than one time. However, under no circumstance is a gift from the Angel Fund to be considered a loan. No gift may be repaid, either in part or in full, in money or in labor.

If the recipient desires to give to the church, at a later time, this individual should be encouraged to give directly to the general fund of the church.

Those requesting assistance must also be willing to receive financial, family, or emotional counseling. The Angel Fund Committee will not provide help to anyone who, in its estimation, will have negative or irresponsible behavior reinforced by financial help.

Those requesting help must be willing to give the Angel Fund Committee permission to follow up on any of the information provided to the committee. The committee will be sensitive to confidential issues.

Recipients

Recipients of funds disbursed from the Angel Fund at the direction of the Angel Fund Committee must meet the following requirements:

1. Church members who have been active for at least one year
2. Regularly attends church
3. Tithes of either their time, talent, or treasure.

Criteria

The stated purpose of the Angel Fund is to meet people’s basic needs at the discretion of the Angel Fund Committee. These needs may include, but are not limited to, the following list:

• Lodging
• Food
• Utilities
• Clothing
• Medical treatment
• Transportation to or from a place of employment
• Car repairs
• Funeral expenses
• Initial evaluation and professional counseling appointments

Needs that may not be met by the Angel Fund include:

• School expenses, business investments, or anything that brings financial profit to the individual or family
• Paying off credit cards. (Exceptions can be made when an individual has had to use a credit card in a crisis or emergency, such as hospitalization, death, etc.)
• Needs of individuals who are wanted by the law or for paying fines, as a result of breaking the law
• Legal fees
• Penalties relating to late payments or irresponsible actions
• Private school fees or tuition
• Business ventures or investments

Generally, assistance from the Angel Fund will not exceed $1,000 per person or family. In very unusual circumstances, families and individuals who are in need of substantial funds (over $1,000) and who have the opportunity to make a life-changing decision can continue to be assisted up to whatever limit the Angel Fund Committee deems appropriate. Such cases should be reviewed carefully and, when appropriate, additional accountability should be sought (such as the church board, etc.).

Procedure for Disbursement

Source of Request

A Request for Assistance Application must be filled out by the person requesting help or by someone who is assisting the person in need. The Request for Assistance Application form may be obtained by emailing the minister at seniorminister@unityfh.com.

Processing the Request

1. The Request for Assistance Application is either mailed or emailed to the minister, in preparation for presentation to the Angel Fund committee. All forms mailed in should be in an envelope marked “confidential.”
2. In a meeting or by a telephone conference, the Angel Fund Committee reviews the request and comes to a decision.
3. The person making the request is informed of the decision.
4. Funds are disbursed directly to vendors via checks, phone payments, or online payments.

Tax Implications

Generally, there are no reporting requirements for those receiving benevolence.

(Last revised 05-01-21)