Cash Reserves

Part of The Congregational Handbook

Pink piggy bank on a stack of $100, with "Keep Calm and Save Money" quote

A congregation’s income ebbs and flows, so it is a good idea to have some cash reserves that can help keep the bills paid in the summer when attendance and pledge payments fall off.

Also, congregations often include a line item in their operating budget of 3-5% of the budget for facilities-related reserves (e.g., a Building Reserve Fund), so that when a new boiler or roof is needed, money is available.