Development

The primary mission of the Development Circle is to raise funds to supplement income from member dues and religious school tuition.

Our short-term goal is to increase the congregation’s knowledge of our financial situation, so that members are more inclined to follow our fair share dues structure and contribute to the building fund. Long term, we hope to build our endowment fund, to cover the expenses not generated by dues and tuition income.

The Development Circle is comprised of several sub-committees. Each sub-committee has a special focus to develop multiple income sources, while respecting the "CRC way" of raising money (keeping all donations confidential while hoping our donors feel good about their contribution).

Endowment (L'Dor V'Dor Fund)
We are considering a campaign goal of $10 million, a sum we believe will be a significant step toward the stability we intend to establish. Specific financial needs include facilities maintenance, educational programming and rabbinical support.

Special Events
We plan one or two events throughout the year. Our intent is to raise funds to help supplement current income. When we do not anticipate a shortfall in operating income, these events may help fund capital improvements or may be allocated to the Endowment Fund. Our fundraisers are important to us because of the income they generate, and also because of the community building that they create.

Auction: Silent & Live Auction with Dinner held every other year.
Dinner/Theatre: Held the year when we do not have an auction, several homes
host a dinner, followed by a theatre production and desert.
Other events: Holiday Bazaar and the Kitchen Shower are among some of our more recent events.

Soul of the Building
The Mission of the Soul of the Building Committee is to create a Jewish presence in our Sukkat Shalom with art that reflects our beliefs and ideals. This Circle includes members of our congregation who have knowledge of the arts. Although this committee does not focus on fund raising, the members of this committee do plan ways to fund their projects. Some of the projects include landscape needs, sanctuary additions, and art for our walls and for our landscape. The expenses for Soul of the Building projects are not incorporated into the Congregations budget.

Scrip
Our Education department manages the sale of Scrip (grocery store gift certificates). They intend to have 100% of our households enrolled in religious school purchasing the gift certificates. CRC receives 5% of every certificate sold because the grocery stores donate 5% to our congregation. This is a "free" fundraiser. It costs those who participate nothing!

Prospective Member Coffees
Members of the Development Circle attend these quarterly coffees sponsored by the Membership Circle. We help the prospective members complete the membership application, asking that new members follow the fair shares dues structure. We also discuss the building fund pledge and our goal for 100% participation from members. The building fund pledge is allocated to paying down the mortgage of our two properties and the maintenance costs for the buildings.