Will my regular tithes and offerings help to fund the Co/Gather?
- No. VCG and the Co/Gather’s budgets are completely independent from one another. The church and the Co/Gather have completely separate bank accounts. The Co/Gather is to be seen as a way the church can be a blessing to the community, in addition to the other ministry avenues VCG pursues.
Is VCG willing to go into debt over the Co/Gather?
- No. If the money isn’t available to fund the Co/Gather, the church’s budget won’t be sacrificed to float it.
How will the Co/Gather be funded?
- Initially, the Co/Gather will be funded through the benevolence and generosity of individuals, churches, and other outside entities. However, VCG is working with a business consultant to develop a long-term sustainability plan for the Co/Gather as a social enterprise. It is our hope that the Co/Gather is 100% financially sustainable within 3-5 years.
How will the Co/Gather become sustainable?
- The Co/Gather will become sustainable through the rental of the gathering spaces and the rental space of the coffee shop.
How will the Co/Gather potentially help the church increase ministry capacity?
- As churches face large overhead costs that can be difficult to maintain, social enterprise is fast becoming a viable option for churches to increase ministry capacity and long-term sustainability. The partnership between church and enterprise opens doors for churches to be less dependent on tithes and offerings alone for ministry development.
Will we lose money by putting it into a property we don’t own?
- Yes and No. Yes, because we are leasing property. We will pay for a lease anywhere we go– just as the vast majority of all businesses/organizations do. No, because all of the tenant improvement dollars we put into the building will be returned to us through rent abatement over the course of a 7.5 year lease. Rent abatement is when the owner entitles a tenant to pay only a portion of the rent as a way of compensating for repairs made by the tenant. We have been assured by our real estate consultant and business advisors that this is a good financial decision and a fantastic opportunity. Once the Co/Gather is self sustainable, profits will go right back into the ministry of VCG.
What is the long-term possibility with the property?
- The property owner is putting VCG as having first right of refusal to the purchase of the property in the lease agreement if he plans to sell. We also have first right of refusal to the lease of the event and office space next door to the Co/Gather.
Who will be able to use the Co/Gather rooms?
- Anyone can use the Co/Gather for gathering needs! Members of the VCG community will have a certain amount of free access to the rooms, while the community at large will be asked to make a donation for room rentals. The communal space is completely free for anyone to use.
Are contributions to the Co/Gather tax deductible?
- Yes. The Co/Gather is an entity of VCG and maintains its 501(c)3 status.
How will the Co/Gather be governed?
- The Co/Gather belongs to the ministry of VCG and will adhere to its mission and vision. The Co/Gather is an avenue for the VCG community to join God on mission. However, the Co/Gather will have a separate board of directors from the VCG board, but the boards will be critically linked so that both entities are moving forward in direct relationship to one another. The linking of the VCG and Co/Gather boards, as well as all financial decisions therein, will be advised by a non-profit attorney.
Will the VCG offices move to the Co/Gather?
- The Co/Gather is not designed to accommodate our offices..
Will the Co/Gather be where the church has its services?
- The Co/Gather is not designed, nor has the capacity, to accommodate VCG services, though the church will utilize spaces within the Co/Gather for various ministry needs and opportunities throughout the week.
