Budget Considerations for a Settled Ministry Search

Part of The Settled Ministry Search Handbook

Row of pink piggy banks

The costs below represent the amounts which the congregation should budget for the interim ministry search through the beginning of the next settled ministry.

Relocation Costs

  • Relocation expenses for interim minister: up to $10,000
  • Relocation expenses for settled minister: up to $15,000

Search Support Fee

Settled ministry search support fee: $1,000 — $3,500. The amount is determined by the congregation’s level of support of the UUA’s Annual Program Fund (APF)

  • Standard cost of search support: $3500
  • Discounted support cost for congregations which have contributed 85% or greater of the APF Honor amount over the last three years: $2000
  • APF Honor discounted support cost for congregations which have contributed 100% of the APF Honor amount over the last three years: $1000

Search Team Budget

The search team will need to cover the cost of traveling to and lodging in your area for pre-candidates, candidates, and their families.

Plan to spend between $10,000 and 20% of the projected salary and housing amount for the settled ministry, depending on the cost.

Installation of Settled Minister

The installation (the congregational act of formally entering into shared ministry with their professional minister) usually includes guest ministers (who may be coming from a distance) and is followed by a reception. Plan to budget up to $3,000.

Canadian Congregations

  • Members of the CUC are not required to support the UUA’s Annual Program Fund. There is no congregational fee for search support.
  • You may have additional costs to consider if your minister relocates from the United States.
  • Please inquire directly with the UUA Transitions Team about the cost of the Break Barriers, Build Beliefs workshop. (The workshop is included in the search support fee for UUA member congregations.)