UUCL’s  “Share the Plate” contributes one half of all undesignated collections received during services to support organizations and charities that align with, and advance, UUCL values.  

Sharing the Plate helps the congregation in the following ways:

  • Furthers the mission of embracing diversity, nurturing spirituality, and promoting justice in the world
  • Creates a more tangible presence for UUCL in the local community
  • Allows small contributions by our members to be combined together for a larger impact
  • Increases and deepens spiritual growth through generosity

Share the Plate recipients for 2021-2022

How It Works

  • Each year the congregation selects 11 organizations to support. 
    • One of the 12 months supports the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. This fund is for use by our minister for the good of others in the congregation, the community at large, and the wider UU Movement at the minister’s discretion, in keeping with the mission, covenant and by-laws of the church.  
  • All undesignated donations in our weekly collection plate will be split 50/50 between UUCL and that month’s selected organization. (Donations intended for a pledges, service auction payments, capital fund or as a special collection or other purpose are not part of the “undesignated” funds.) Any donations marked “Share the Plate” will be split evenly between the church and organization.
  • Organizations we are supporting will be highlighted on the UUCL website each month and in the Order of Service.
  • Each month we will invite representatives of the designated organization to host an information table before, between or after services.
  • We will regularly report out on the amount of money raised for each organization.  

Share the Plate Selection Process

  1. Every UUCL member is eligible to nominate three organizations per year.
  2. Suggestions must meet the required criteria below.
  3. Suggestions must be submitted to UUCL Share the Plate by midnight on the second Sunday in May. Email your nominations to earthjustice@uuloudoun.org.  
  4. All suggestions will be vetted for eligibility criteria by members of the Share the Plate Team.
  5. All vetted eligible organizations will be announced at least one week before the Annual Meeting.
  6. All eligible organizations will be put for vote by all members of UUCL at the Annual Meeting.

Please note that proxy voting will be allowed in accordance with UUCL by-laws.

Criteria for Share the Plate

To be considered for participation in Share the Plate, the organization must:

  • Advance one or more of the seven UU principles
  • Be an IRS recognized 501c3 organization
  • Operate in Loudoun County
  • Allow UUCL to publicize the gift

More Information

Please direct any questions to: president@uuloudoun.org or earthjustice@uuloudoun.org.