You can make a donation here.

Click here for information about the 2026-2027 Pledge Drive, Together Toward Tomorrow.

Unity & Strength

Here are a few highlights from the past year:

• The average of total guests has grown by 24%, demonstrating that First Unitarian attracts many people seeking a new church home and providing us the opportunity to increase membership.
• Average attendance on Sundays has grown by 5%.
• Increased participation in First Unitarian’s values-based social justice efforts such as volunteering at La Tiendita (food pantry and free donation clothing/household goods store for those in need).
• Notable growth in attendance and engagement in our Monthly Community Meal and small group meets hosted by Rev Dave.
• Youth attendance continues to expand and exciting weekday/weekend activities are scheduled through our OpenSpark Youth Gatherings.

2025 Initiatives

• Crossing Paths: An Interfaith Learning Experience is being offered to our youth for the purpose of exposing them to a variety of religious practices. Several church members are generously volunteering to lead these sessions.
• The Social Justice Council held a very well-attended retreat with 5 thematic areas identified for engagement.
• First U Concert Series was kicked off, as well as, our First U Band Open Jam.
• The Board and church leadership are successfully managing the Church’s 2024-2025 operating budget – the funding of staff salaries, religious education, music, social justice, our building, and more.

Fortifying

These highlights encapsulate tangible examples of our righteous commitment to work towards social and economic justice and equality within the church’s walls and beyond. In church, inspiring sermons, a meaningful Life Span Religious Education, an amazing music program and social action groups fulfill our individual spiritual and emotional needs. With our community, we think globally and act locally to lessen suffering by helping the needy with shelter, clothing and food. But we can do more with your support.

By, With & Through

Our country is at an unprecedented, generational inflection point – economically disorientating and socially disturbing. We now face a critical choice. Do we act for the individual and collective good or watch while others decide what is good for us? Now is the time to renew our sense of purpose by building a better world together as individuals and collectively. Now is the time to go wider with each other as a force multiplier of positive change in word and deed. Now is time to go deeper through selfless acts of kindness. Because if not us, who? If not now, when? Now is our time.

How to Fulfill Your Pledge to First Unitarian of Chicago

We are grateful for the many ways our members and friends support First Unitarian. Your pledge sustains our shared ministry and makes our programs, worship, and community life possible. This guide outlines the different ways you can fulfill your pledge and answers common questions.

First Unitarian Church is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Contributions are deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Donors who provide an address or email will receive a summary of their annual (calendar-year) giving by early February for tax-preparation purposes.

Your pledge commitment applies to the church’s fiscal year (July 1–June 30). Periodic statements will be provided during the year so you can easily track your progress toward fulfilling your pledge.

Ways to Fulfill Your Pledge

Members and friends can choose from a variety of payment methods to fulfill their pledges. Please select the option that works best for you.

• CASH donations are welcome in the Sunday collection basket. Place cash in a donation envelope (from the back of the sanctuary seats) and note “pledge” on the envelope. Cash given without an envelope supports Share the Plate and does not count toward your pledge.
• CHECKS should be made out to First Unitarian Church, and you should indicate on the memo line that payment is for fulfillment of your pledge. Paper checks may be dropped in the Sunday collection basket or mailed to First Unitarian at 5650 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, IL 60637. Because checks do not incur a processing fee, they are especially helpful for larger gifts.
• You may also use your bank’s online bill-pay service to send checks to the church.
  → This can be set up as a one-time or a recurring payment. Have checks mailed to First Unitarian at 5650 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, IL 60637.
  → If you are currently using Breeze or VANCO but are comfortable using bill pay through your bank, you may wish to consider this no-fee option.
• ONLINE DONATIONS offer secure funds transfer and convenience, though it does come with a processing fee. We are moving our online giving option from VANCO payment system to the Breeze Church Management system. You may give through Breeze in a couple of ways:
  → Text 773-900-6051 with the amount you want to give, followed by the word “PLEDGE” [for example, to pay $20 towards your pledge, text “20 PLEDGE” to 773-900-6051]. If you text GIVE to 773-900-6051 during the Sunday offering, your payment will go towards Share the Plate.
  → Website Giving using credit card or bank account at the link here (or click on the Giving to 1st U link in the upper right corner of the First Unitarian homepage. You can set up recurring weekly or monthly payments if that is easiest for you.
  
  As of January 2026, the fees (which you can opt to offset) for online donations using Breeze are:
  
• Credit/Debit: 2.9% + $0.30 Per Transaction
• Amex: 3.5% + $0.00 Per Transaction
• Bank Transfers/ACH: 1% + $0.25 Per Transaction
  
  At January 2026, for anyone that continues to make online donations via VANCO, the transactions fees are:
  
• Credit/Debit: 2.84% + $0.45 Per Transaction
• Amex: 3.99% + $0.45 Per Transaction
  
  We are grateful when donors choose to add processing fees to their gift, as this helps the church receive the full intended amount.

• DONATING THROUGH AN IRA: QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DEDUCTIONS (QCD): If you are age 70½ or older, you can make a QCD directly from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). These transfers satisfy Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) without increasing taxable income. The transfer must be completed by December 31 of the tax year. Talk with your tax and/or financial advisor when deciding whether a QCD is right for you. To donate, contact your IRA plan administrator and specify that you want to make an IRA QCD. Please also notify us at Treasurer@FirstUChicago.org with a cc to Administrator@FirstUChicago.org so that we properly credit your gift. When making transfers you may be asked for the church’s IRS Tax ID number which is EIN: 36- 2167078.
• DONATING APPRECIATED STOCK OR SECURITIES: Donations of appreciated stock held more than one year offer two unique advantages:

1. A gift of stock to the church avoids capital gains tax for you on the increase in the value of the stock over the cost basis.
2. You receive a charitable tax deduction for the full market value of the stock at the time of the gift to the church.
   
   Check with your qualified tax advisor for specifics related to your personal situation.
   
   When you are ready to transfer stock, please send an email to: Treasurer@FirstUChicago.org so that the sale of the stock can be completed, and your pledge accurately credited. You also can direct any questions to Administrator@FirstUChicago.org.
   

Questions? Please contact any members of the Pledge or Finance Committee.