A current registered St. Thomas More parishioner must be the sponsor of any tithing grant request.
What is Tithing?
The word tithe means “tenth”. The practice of giving away 10% of an annual income, usually to a
church or charitable organization. The first Biblical reference to tithing is recorded in Genesis 14:20, in
which Abraham gave a tithe of his treasure to the high priest, Melchizedek.
The value of tithing varies among different churches. While some hold it as a principle, others use it as
standard for giving. At St. Thomas More, the funds allocated for Tithing Grants come from our parish
budget and proceeds from Fairtrade sales.
Types of Organizations
The Social Justice Commission’s goal is to fund organization’s operating at the local, national and
international level each time Tithing Grants are allocated. Preference is given to organizations active
in the following areas:
- Providing food, shelter, clothing, education and/or health care to the needy
- Prison Ministry
- Development of economic self-sufficiency
- Promotion of peace
- Promotion of the inclusion of diverse peoples as full members of our church and society
- The Commission will give preference to organizations that do not do corporate fundraising.
Requests
The range of Tithing Grant requests will be $10-$500. The Commission will consider larger requests, but
may have to reduce the amount allocated. Overall, the Commission aims to fund as many requests
as possible. No Tithing Grants will be given to fund salaries, to fund building campaigns or for
operational expenses.
Each organization will usually be funded only once per year. However, the Commission meets twice
a year to distribute grants; if there is additional money available, the Commission may consider
funding an organization twice a year.
There are a few exceptions to the previous guideline.
The Commission consistently funds specific local
organizations twice per year:
- Common Fund (area churches contribute money that goes to
community/individual need as determined by their board)
- Free Lunch Program
- Shelter House
- Community Crisis Services
- Parish Discretionary Fund (emergency assistance for
parishioners/those in need, as determined by the STM office)
- Iowa City Catholic Worker Houses
- Habitat for Humanity
St. Thomas More Catholic Church
