Scottsville Presbyterian is a small church making a big impact on their local community. The church’s annual budget devotes 22 percent to mission expenditures.
Some of that is dedicated to two funds created in 2018 to provide grants to people and organizations in Scottsville and the surrounding community.
One fund provides financial assistance to individuals experiencing difficult circumstances, such as illness, death, accident, or natural disaster. Members of the congregation pass along the names of community members who would benefit from the church’s help. The session allocates funds for this individual support from its annual operating budget.
The second fund makes donations to area charitable organizations. Members of the session review each nominated organization’s mission, leadership, community impact, and financial condition prior to giving funds. Funding for organization support comes from the church’s endowment, based on a fixed percentage of the asset value.
Money not spent on aid to individuals in a given year is rolled into the organization fund the following year, increasing the capacity of the church to make larger donations to worthy organizations.
In the first year of the new funds, the church distributed $11,450. The total has grown each year since, as the allocation from the budget has remained steady at $5,000 per annum and the endowment spending portion has grown with a healthy increase in the portfolio.
“We are thankfully blessed by God and humbled to be able to devote these funds to mission work,” shared Tom Thomson, treasurer.
With only 14 member families, Scottsville Presbyterian punches well above its weight in its financial contribution to the needy in its community.
Scottsville Presbyterian, founded in 1827, was the first church built within the town of Scottsville. Rev. Dr. E. Richard Knox is the pastor. Visit online at scottsvillepcusa.com.
One of the organizations Scottsville Church has supported is African American Teaching Fellows (AATF). AATF works to recruit and support African American educators to serve the public schools of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Their goals are to decrease racial disparity and give African American students more mentors who share their roots. Other community grants have gone to groups including Fluvanna Habitat for Humanity, James River Boys & Girls Club, and Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.