Harvesting Faith - Father Tim Biren

Hard times call for creative thinking. When someone makes a contribution to a non-profit organization, they typically write a check, give cash or on occasion, transfer stock.  At the St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center located in rural South-Central Minnesota, we concentrate on monetary gifts to support our Catholic Campus Ministry at Minnesota State University – Mankato.  This year however, while enjoying the sight of abundant fields of grain in our area, we decided to try something new. 

Recognizing opportunity in the blessing of an abundant harvest, we have initiated the “Harvesting Faith” giving program at the Catholic Newman Center.  This program makes giving easier for farmers in our community and engages those who could not otherwise make a significant contribution to our ministry.  Rather than getting out the checkbook, grain farmers are invited to contribute a portion of their harvested crop directly to the St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center.  (No, they don’t literally dump a truck load of corn at the front door!) 
Here’s how it works – a farmer transports their grain to an elevator and requests that the grain be deposited into the Catholic Newman Center’s account.  It is particularly important for the farmer and the elevator to deposit the grain itself, and not the proceeds into this account.  After the transfer of grain is complete, the Catholic Newman Center will issue the order to market the grain, and instruct the grain buyer to send a check to the Catholic Newman Center.  (The process is similar to a stock transfer).

In addition to making their giving easier, there are many benefits for the farmer who gives grain instead of cash.  Gifts of grain are not reported as income, therefore lowering the benefactor’s Adjusted Gross Income.  Thus, the farmer can give more grain and save more in taxes while also deducting all of the expenses associated with raising the crop. 

In a time when the words “bad economy” can’t be avoided in the media, this novel manner of giving can help your organization continue to grow.  We estimate that the donations given by grain will reach or exceed 10% of our total private donations for the year.  Reaching out to famers and providing a simple way of contributing to a growing ministry not only enables the Catholic Newman Center to reach more students with each bushel, but the farmer can know their hard work and sacrifice is making a difference in the lives of Catholic college students at Minnesota State University – Mankato.

Can you invite your benefactors to give livestock such as cattle or hogs?  Ask yourself if there are opportunities in your area of the country that could offer benefactors a means for giving they might not have previously considered.

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. Proverbs 3:9-10