We think the church is a community trying to bring about God’s purposes in the world – beauty, peace, justice, love and healing through Jesus. We offer our gifts and resources of all kinds, both within our church family and among our neighbors - near and far. If you’d like to offer any gift as an act of worship, please contact us.
We pour into ourselves - supporting our pastors and staff as equitably as possible, while allocating operational funds to keep us Gathering and fueling the formational work of our faith community. However, we are convinced that the church is more than an institution focused on its own growth and well-being. That means we try to give away as much money as possible to those who align with our mission.:
Trinity is fostering a haven of belonging where wanderers and wonderers gather to discover and embody the love of Jesus in the world.
Missional Contributions
Missional Contributions align with Trinity’s mission and vision, extending a haven of belonging. Financial support affirms Kindom work already being done. Over the course of several years, our faith community has discerned that focusing on areas of equity - specifically BIPOC-owned business investment, mental health counseling access, reparations and education. These are reflected in all three areas of missional contributions.
Missional Contributions are broken down into three categories: Partnerships, Affiliations and Reparations, and Local Grants. [See this visualized in the Funding Matrix]
Partnerships
The majority of our missional contributions are given to those whom we have partnership with - relational connection and long-term opportunity.
These funds are where Trinity goers are invested. There are organizations where we’ve got “flag bearers” to get us involved. We recognize the good kin(g)dom work already being done in the world and we join in financially and with time/human resources. As such, there is a partnership where relationship building exists, in an ongoing way.
These funds are fixed, annually, determined and reviewed by the Leadership Team after the discernment of regular conversation/input with Trinity goers regarding finances and with recommendations from the Engagement Team.
Affiliations and Reparations
These funds, too, are reflective of our values and who Trinity affiliates with that both propel us in community organizing efforts and acknowledge where we have financially benefited from stolen land that has destroyed community.
These funds are fixed, annually, determined and reviewed by the Leadership Team after the discernment of regular conversation/input with Trinity goers regarding finances and with recommendations from the Engagement Team.
Local Grants
These funds are meant to empower or kickstart efforts that Trinity goers or members of the broader community are involved in. These are given where partnership is possible, but not required.
The total amount of these funds are annually budgeted, with the determined allotment of disbursements varying based on a rolling granting process. Initially, grant submissions are reviewed by the Leadership Team, until the formation of an Engagement Team.
Benevolence
Trinity also funds benevolence requests. Benevolence funds are given to individuals, families, or households (within or connected to the Trinity community) to address immediate financial crises. Often systems of care are put in place to walk alongside and resource the individual, family, or household through crises.
Access to these funds are initiated and by a member of the Trinity Community member, where care can be maintained through an existing relationship. Requests are made known to staff and pastors, who advise the Leadership Team on disbursement.
[Additional assistance resources may be found here.]
Foundation Fund
Trinity intentionally no longer owns property - for both theological and financial reasons. Therefore, we have a Foundation Fund (i.e. investment account) to keep our faith community sustained as we navigate the trajectory of the Church, and our unique place in the world as a faith community. We aim to have all our operational and internal needs fully covered by tithes and offerings. Until we reach that point, our savings and Foundation Fund are drawn upon as sustainably as possible. Into the future, we look to use interest from the Foundation Fund to be completely given away to the good work that aligns with our mission that already exists in the world.
Accountability
We also know money can easily be mishandled, so we have a group of unpaid leaders decide how to distribute money, informed through the ongoing communal processes of discernment. Then, for the sake of transparency, we update our entire community every quarter on where the money went.
Still have questions? Contact us at contact@indytrinity.org. You may hear back from a Leadership Team member about decisions and budgeting, Steve Edinger about financial reports and accounting matters, or Jay Howard about the position and logistics of the Foundation Fund.
Recurring and online Giving
Zeffy*
With Zeffy you can make an online gift with zero transaction fees, ensuring that every dollar you give goes directly to our mission. Zeffy also makes recurring giving simple and convenient.
*Please note that when making a donation through Zeffy, you will see an option to contribute to Zeffy (suggested at 17%). This contribution to Zeffy is completely optional, and you can adjust the amount or select $0 to ensure you are giving your desired amount to Trinity and to Zeffy (if you choose).
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Follow these simple steps to make a donation through Zeffy:
1. Choose Your Gift Type
Select a one-time or monthly donation.
Enter a specific amount or choose from preset options.
2. Provide Your Information
Enter your phone number (optional).
Add a note if you have special instructions.
3. Review the Zeffy Support Option
Zeffy operates fee-free for nonprofits through optional donations.
A default contribution to Zeffy is applied. You can adjust the amount.
Choose $0 if you'd prefer not to make an additional contribution to Zeffy.
4. Enter Payment Details
Provide credit card or bank account information.
Add your email and billing address (for receipts & records).
Optionally, create a Zeffy account to track your donations.
5. Confirm & Donate
Review your total donation amount.
Click "Donate" to complete your gift.
You'll receive an email confirmation for tax purposes.
Your Bank
Many in our community choose to set up recurring giving through their bank’s free automatic bill pay option. Setting up a recurring gift with your bank involves:
Logging onto your bank’s online banking system.
Adding Trinity as a Payee, usually by clicking on the Bill Pay or Payments tab. Add Trinity’s name and address in the corresponding fields (Trinity Church, 6151 Central Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220). Most banks will ask for an optional account number, which is not necessary as long as Trinity’s address is provided.
Select your bank’s Repeating or Automatic Payments option. Choose Trinity as the payee. Select an amount, giving date and frequency. Once this information is confirmed, your tithe and offering will be mailed to us on a regular basis.
Most banks will also set up automatic bill pay over the phone.