Charity – Texas Facts or Fiction

To help you know where your council’s charity payments go, here are some points to consider.

Charities are overseen by a budget approved by Convention delegates.

FACT

97% OF ALL CHARITY MONEY GOES TO CHARITIES

All 15 Diocese Bishops receive:

• Every Bishop has specified charities to assist his diocese
• PAY FULL COUNCIL CHARITY QUOTA by 12/31 EARNS QUICK START.

Council charities are counted toward the diocese charity quota

Below diocese quota – Bishop’s receive 70% of council donations received

Above 100% diocese donations – Bishops receive 70% PLUS EVERYDOLLAR ABOVE THE DIOCESE QUOTA

Goals

• 100% Council Participation
• Increase the number of councils earning Quick Start - pay 100% by 12/31/24
• The rest of our councils should earn Honor Roll - pay 100% by 6/30/25
• Each active member of a council is assessed $10 for State Charities on July 1
• Statements go to councils end of July
• Please urge your councils to BUDGET for State Charities now! Just 3 cents per day per member!
• IF YOU CHARGE IN DUES - - BYLAWS - - COUNCIL MUST SEND IN
• American Wheelchair Mission
• Bishop Thomas J. Flanagan Fund -provide Grants to our Retired Priests
• Cardinal Medeiros Fellows - Interests funds Catholic Education Grants
• Form 10784 - - REPORT 2.5% of Council's Charity payment Emergency Response - - Council Charities, where the other 30% goes

Breakdown of Charity fee

Charity pins - $20 each - - money goes straight to State Charity, Fill out the form when you buy to count this money toward your council charity quota.

Special Charity outside of State Charities assessment

Special Olympics

501(c)(8)

Means council PAY tax on purchases

Means councils DO NOT COLLECT TAXES on items SOLD

IRS 990 must be filed annually to retain 501(c)(8) status.

FICTION

• Councils do not pay charity - - as the council knows better than their Bishop on how to spend charity money.NO - - Remember a minimum of 70% goes to their diocese. Your Bishop knows best on the needs of your diocese.
• Money must go to support the Hall - - NO, Halls are 501(c)(2) entities - - IRS requirements state the Hall has to SEND ANY MONEY ABOVE OPERATING expenses MUST GO to council CHARITY.
• Texas State Charities have unlimited assets - - No. Emergencies quickly exceed the $3 a member received for charities.
• Councils can assist their parish with special fundraisers - - Yes.

Please support your council, diocese, parish, and Texas by paying your council charity quota.