Fundraising for External Organizations on Foothills Premises

To protect the integrity of Foothills Unitarian’s fundraising efforts and to avoid confusion regarding the Church’s organizational priorities, the following policy applies to any fundraising activities hosted on Foothills property:

1. Restrictions on Fundraising by Foothills Ministers and Staff

Current Foothills executive staff, ministers (including affiliated ministers), or other individuals acting in an official ministerial or staff capacity may not solicit funds, promote, or lead fundraising events for external organizations on-site at Foothills Unitarian.

• This includes hosting events that may be perceived as fundraisers for another organization, particularly when promoted to or attended by Foothills congregants.
  
  

• This restriction exists to prevent confusion or perceived endorsement of external causes above Foothills’ own financial priorities, particularly the operating budget and mission-aligned programs.

2. Building Use by Congregants for Private Events

Foothills members or friends may rent church space for private events that benefit an external nonprofit organization under the following conditions:

• The event must be clearly designated as a private, non-Foothills-sponsored gathering.

• The event may not include public promotion through Foothills channels (e.g., newsletters, service announcements, bulletin boards).

• No Foothills staff or affiliated ministers may be featured in a fundraising leadership or promotional role (e.g., making a fundraising ask) during the event.

• If the event is expected to be attended primarily by Foothills congregants or is otherwise likely to cause confusion about Foothills’ sponsorship or endorsement, it may be considered a conflict of interest and subject to review or denial.

3. Event Review and Approval

All external fundraising events hosted at Foothills must be approved in advance by the Director of Finance and Operations and/or Executive Team. Approval will take into account:

• Alignment with Foothills' mission and values

• Potential for confusion or perceived endorsement

• Timing in relation to Foothills’ internal fundraising activities

• Use of Foothills-affiliated leadership or performers

4. Exceptions

On rare occasions, the Senior Minister or Director of Finance and Operations may approve a partnership or co-hosted fundraising effort with an external organization when it aligns closely with Foothills' mission and includes clear mutual benefit and transparency.

This policy does not apply to Community MicroGrants, which raise funds for a specifically identified partner in tandem with raising funds for Foothills Unitarian Church.