Berkshire Giving Conference Oxford Diocese Berkshire Giving Conference Saturday 9th February 2019 Helen Richardson Chief Executive

What is the PGS? The Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) is a direct-debit facility originally developed by the Diocese of Gloucester to provide a professional, effective donation management system to support parishes in funding their mission and ministry. Donations made through this scheme use a Direct Debit. This can be made on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. Each donation is restricted to the intended church. Gift Aid is reclaimed and passed onto the church directly. Separate Charitable Organisation, Company Limited by guarantee (In British and Irish company law, a company limited by guarantee (LBG) is an alternative type of corporation used primarily for non-profit organisations that require legal personality. A company limited by guarantee does not usually have a share capital or shareholders, but instead has members who act as guarantors.) Been going for 9 years now, not a new scheme

Why we developed the PGS Keep pace with the charity sector Improve and engage with the donor journey To grow the Church’s mission and ministry Lighten the burden locally (recruiting successor) Offer our parishes unique benefits

Giving to rise in line with inflation annually Unique benefit: Giving to rise in line with inflation annually Why is this important?

Problem 1: Static giving

How the PGS can help: Extra £462.48 a year 2001 = £60 + £16.80 Gift Aid = £76.80 Gift increases in line with Retail Price Index (RPI) 2016 = £92.28 + £23.06 Gift Aid = £115.34 tax efficient gift a month Extra £462.48 a year

Impact of the inflationary uplift 55% of monthly givers inflate their gifts In addition15% (inflation proofed givers) have increased further, either by super inflation (6%) or as a result of a parish request (9%) Reductions: 0.5% donors have reduced their contribution

How does it work?

PGS statement

Problem 2: Level of giving The importance of clear communication

The message in the brand

First message: Who we are Second message: What we do

Enabling people to encounter God’s presence WORSHIPPING TOGETHER Enabling people to encounter God’s presence

SHARING OUR FAITH & VALUES Enabling people to grow in a relationship with God

Providing special places to encounter God and grow as Community VALUING THE BUILDINGS Providing special places to encounter God and grow as Community

Putting Faith into action through loving service SERVING THE COMMUNITY Putting Faith into action through loving service

How the PGS can help: How we give influences how much we give. Winchester Liverpool Gloucester Average Weekly giving (Diocese) £12.25 £10.58 £9.60 Average Weekly Giving (PGS) £19.27 +57% £14.73 +39% £14.77 +48% Source: 2014 Parish Finance Returns, PGS data for 2016

Other benefits: Delivered locally Administration: local  central (PGS, Gloucester) Donation returned in 10 days Improve cash flow Anonymity option Ease local book-keeping (reduces bank statement!)

PGS going online! Long held ambition – a 21st century solution Immediate and flexible access + reducing burden on volunteers Attractive to a wider demographic Improves the reliability of the data Financial efficiency by reducing administrative overheads Provides a platform for developing the PGS offer

Home page

New donor process

Finding the ‘right’ church

Parish not registered?

Donor account:

Statement receiver account:

Supporting resources

Personal data

Technical security API (Application Programming Interface) A technical process that allows the PGS to receive data from donors and parishes in a safe, secure and controlled transfer. API’s are standard practice in for online banking and retail activity. SSL (Secure Socket Layer) It’s the most widely deployed security protocol in the world. It provides a secure channel between two machines operating over the internet. EVC – Extended Validation Certificate. This is an additional security check that requires a website to pass a thorough and global standardised identity verification process. This provides exclusive rights to user domain and confirm its legality.

The Journey So Far…

Expansion Where it all began – Gloucester Diocese

Expansion Live at end 2014 (4 dioceses)

Expansion Live at end 2014 Joined in 2015 (+ 5 dioceses)

Expansion Live at end 2014 Live end of 2015 Live at end of 2016 (+4 dioceses)

Expansion Live at end 2014 Live at June 2015 Live at June 2016 Due to launch 2017 (+5 dioceses)

2018 Live at end 2014 Live at end 2015 Live at end 2016 Live by the end 2018 and beyond (+ 8 dioceses) 34 out of 41 Dioceses Level of dioceses coming on board Lots of conversations with interested Dioceses CC Transition funding enabling lots of dioceses to appoint SA Winter is Coming (not just because Game of Thrones season 7 is approaching) PGS is gaining traction in the north V. encouraging picture, for the CofE to have the majority or dioceses do anything is RARE – I’m sure you’ll all agree this looks to be a very promising, strong, stable and certain future

Annual Growth

Board of Trustees PGS Team Helen Richardson CEO Chair: John Preston – Diocesan Secretary Worcester Trustees: Victoria James (Diocesan Secretary) Portsmouth, Benjamin Preece Smith (Diocesan Secretary) Gloucester, Rebecca Evans (Parish Support Advisor) Truro, David Brooke (IT specialist), Adrian Beney (Fundraising and GDPR specialist) and Neil Williams (Finance Director) Exeter. PGS Team Helen Richardson CEO Helen Taylor, Head of Operations leads a team of six Last months (Jan 2018) productivity: •     Entered 1280 new donors onto the PGS •     Registered 43 new parishes to the scheme •     Issued 1744 inflationary increase •     Handled 1639 administrative changes to donors details and gifts •     Submitted a Gift Aid Claim for £616k

Value added Centrally run scheme reduces administration costs The quick return of Gift Aid Centralised resource purchasing keeps the cost low of high quality resources through bulk purchasing Only one database to maintain bank charges the same regardless of volume or amount Access to Stewardship expertise through member dioceses and beyond Releasing local volunteers & succession planning

Donation Management provider comparison In May 2018 the PGS processed 27,609 Direct Debit donations. The total value of donations received (inc.GA) was £2,566,241. This was remitted to 1531 Churches in 22 dioceses.

Summary A choice that thousands of donors prefer Combats static giving Fits with good practice Reduces work locally.

Question & Answers

Communication & Engagement Framework Area of Work Worshipping Together Sharing Faith & Values Valuing Church Buildings Serving the Community Leve l of Engagement Outer Circle Occasional Membership Stewardship