What’s the money for?

... for inviting and helping people.

What you give … really makes an impact! Every dollar opens doors and extends the love of Jesus to someone who needs it.

Water’s Edge believes in extending the love of Jesus with as little overhead as possible. For example, we reimburse our staff for expenses only, but don’t pay them a salary. We ask that our staff be bi-vocational, i.e. that they receive their livelihood from another source.

We also cut expenses by not owning a building. When needed, we will rent space because being mobile and in several locations is more important than owning a building. This helps us keep expenses low … i.e. no repairs as structures deteriorate, no roofing to replace, etc.

However, all of those efforts to keep overhead low, does not mean that it doesn’t take funds to operate! It takes lower funding, but it does take money.

You can see our annual budget here.

You can help.

1. Give time. Volunteer and help us keep staffing expenses to a minimum! Office help, hospitality greeters, or coffee/drink makers are always needed!
2. Give space. Share your office or store front space with us. Perhaps we can be of benefit to each other. For example, you need people to make your place look attractive and busy. WE’ve got people. Or you need volunteers for hospitality at an event or special night. Or you need someone to hand out flyers! We keep your expenses low too.
3. Give a special skill. Share pictures. Share a skill to help a family out. Write an impacting piece about where your faith is going.
4. Give a prayer for our livelihood and that we would help people.
5. Give money so that we serve God to the best of our abilities.

How do I give money?

Water’s Edge Partnership is waiting for Federal Tax Exemption approval. We have a church sponsorship, Pender United Methodist Church, as we get started and they are keeping a line item account so that our supporters can receive tax exempt status.

To give money . . .

* By check with Tax Exemption: For Tax Exempt accounting, send your check made out to Pender United Methodist Church, with a note in the comment section to credit to “Water’s Edge Partnership’s account” to: Pender United Methodist church, 12401 Alder Woods Dr., Fairfax, VA 22033.

* By check, not yet tax exempt: If you do not require tax exempt accounting, send your check made out to Water’s Edge Partnership, and mail it to our main office, 900 Commonwealth Place, Suite 200, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.

* Online: Go to http://penderumc.org/.

1. Click on the offering plate image.
2. Set-up an account.
3. After you have set-up your account, you’ll see a dropdown box (which says “unified budget”).
4. You’ll need to select in that box the MISCELLANEOUS OFFERING.
5. Type in “WATER’S EDGE PARTNERSHIP” … OR IT WON’T GO TO US!

How do you maintain appropriate financial accountability?

Water’s Edge Partnership cares about their financial responsibility to properly handle donations and disbursements. Legally, we make sure to comply with all relevant state and federal laws and regulations to safeguard our operations and the public from fraud. With that in mind, we follow excellent accounting and reporting procedures. In maintaining transparency about our financial accounts, we post our annual financial reports online. In addition, every transaction is verified by two unrelated parties. We hire qualified people for oversight and undergo strenuous outside agency auditing annually. Our Board of Directors hold a high level of caution when it comes to how our monies are handled. Monies will not be used for a non-Water’s Edge Partnership mission. Our Board of Directors and Financial Officer also ensure that our financial practices meet the exceptional guidelines of the Charities Review Council and the guidelines of the United Methodist Church General Council of Finance.