Give FAQ

Are donations to Cornerstone tax deductible?

Cornerstone Fellowship is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit tax-exempt organization. Our Tax ID# is 94-3178882. All donations to Cornerstone are tax deductible to the extent that no goods or services were provided to you in connection with any donation, or they consisted entirely of intangible religious benefits. While Cornerstone does maintain several funds for "restricted giving" (e.g. Rohi, Benevolence, Mission Trips, etc.), in order to preserve the tax deductibility of your donations, we must inform you that all donations are received with the understanding that Cornerstone Fellowship has complete discretion and control over the use of the funds. See below for more info on restricted giving.
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When Will I Receive My Contribution Statement For My Donations?

We will mail out a contribution statement by January 31 for donations made the previous year in excess of $250. Donors who gave less than that amount can request for a statement to be sent or can choose to use their bank records to substantiate their gift.
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Whom Do I Contact If I Have Questions About My Giving History?

Please contact Karen Morris at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 925-447-3465 x 5436 or Tina Danskin at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 925-447-3465 x 5457.
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I Want To Restrict My Gift To A Particular Project Or Program. Can I Do This?

By default, donations go into our General Fund. However, you may request that your gift be used for an approved project or program like the ones listed below. Other approved projects or programs may arise periodically throughout the year (for example Tsunami Relief or Gulf Coast Relief).

Cornerstone currently has five official restricted fund categories:

  • Building Fund - by campus, for future building projects, debt retirement and/or capital replacement projects
  • Benevolence Fund - for local financial assistance to those in need
  • Scholarship Fund - by department, to help make Cornerstone events more affordable and accessible
  • Missions Fund - includes General Missions and various sub-funds with specific purposes
  • Adoption Fund - to assist with foster and adoption costs for prospective Cornerstone parents

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What Happens To My Gift If More Money Is Raised Than Is Needed For A Restricted Fund?

We will always do our best to not raise more than is needed for a particular project or program, but we can’t always guarantee this is the case. Once a restricted fund's purpose is met, we will close the fund. But if excess donations have been made, we reserve the right to use those funds for other purposes. All donations are received with the understanding that Cornerstone Fellowship has complete discretion and control over the use of the funds.
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What Happens To My Gift If The Project, Trip, Or Fund Is Canceled Or Abandoned After I Give To It?

Donors acknowledge that Cornerstone Fellowship has the full authority to apply contributions to other purposes in the event the project, trip or fund is canceled or discontinued.
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I Want To Restrict My Gift To A Particular Person. Can I Do This?

A gift restricted to a specific individual constitutes a person-to-person gift and is not tax deductible. You can restrict your gift for the Benevolence Fund and suggest it be used to help a specific person but this decision will be made by the Benevolence Team. Please see our page on the Cornerstone Benevolence Fund for more information.
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What About Missionaries?

When you write a check to support a specific short-term missionary and indicate their name on your check, you are actually making a donation to the missions fund created for the trip, not to the individual missionary. The church retains administrative and accounting control of the funds and uses them to pay for trip expenses. No money is given to the missionary other than to pay for their direct trip expenses such as food or transportation while “in country.”

Similarly, when you name a specific long term missionary on your check, you are actually giving to Cornerstone's mission effort in a particular country or area and not to the individual missionary. Cornerstone may then use those funds to financially support that missionary as a means to accomplish its goals in that country or area. The church retains administrative and accounting control of all funds received.

Can I Restrict My Gift To A Particular Project Or Program Not Affiliated With Cornerstone?

We can only accept donations in this instance if the project or program has been approved by Cornerstone as one that furthers Cornerstone’s exempt purposes as a church. Since there are usually administrative costs associated with passing through this money, it is always better to give directly to the outside agency.
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What If I Miss The Offering Basket As It Comes By?

We have collection boxes located near the exits of the auditorium. You can drop your gift in the box. These boxes get emptied after service each week. Also, you can simply submit your offering online using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or eCheck. Click here to donate or give online.
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Can I Set Up Automatic Scheduled Contributions?

Yes. You can do this through our online giving. When you have created an account to give online, you will see the option to give one time or schedule your contributions weekly, monthly, a specific day of the month, as well as other options.

You may also schedule your contributions through the Finance Office. Please fill out one of our Credit Card or Electronic Funds Authorization forms, available at the Information Counter, and return the form to the Finance Office or contact Karen Morris at (925) 447-3465 x 5436 or at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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What is Cornerstone’s position on using my credit card to make donations or other payments to the church?

While Cornerstone does accept credit cards, we strongly encourage our members not to use their credit card for donations, registrations or other transactions if they are unable to pay off their credit card in full each month. We prefer the use of checks, debit cards and especially e-check (which has lower transaction fees). For those with revolving credit card debt or are simply seeking more information on how to manage their money God’s way, we encourage them to enroll in a Cornerstone biblical financial principals class such as Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace University”.

Do You Have Envelopes Available For Me To Mail In My Offering?

Yes! If you would like for us to mail you a supply of envelopes for your offering, please send your name and address to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) . A supply of envelopes is also available near each donation collection box in the auditorium. If you typically place your tithe check in an offering basket during worship services, you do not need to use an envelope. If you are giving cash, we encourage you to use an envelope and write your name and address on the outside if you want to receive a tax deduction for the gift. Please do not send cash in the mail.
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How Can I Make A Stock Contribution To Cornerstone Fellowship?

The church maintains a brokerage account with UBS in the name of Cornerstone Fellowship. If you wish to give gifts of stock or mutual funds to Cornerstone Fellowship by electronic transfer, please give your broker our account name, account number, and DTC number for our UBS account. Our UBS account number is KW-16279 and the DTC number is 0221. Our UBS broker can be reached at 925-746-0245. If your broker needs any information from us, please have them contact Joe Honzik at 925-447-3465 x5506 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

In order for us to give you proper credit for your contribution, please notify us of the number of shares and the name of the equities that you are transferring. Our fax number is 925-371-1776 and email may be sent to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). We will send you a written confirmation of your gift once your transaction is complete.
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Can I See A Financial Report Of How The Church Is Doing?

Absolutely. Each year Cornerstone engages an independent non-affiliated auditor to audit our books. We do this voluntarily for internal control and accountability and because our mortgage lender requests it. A copy of the most recent report is available upon request. Please email your request to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and a PDF copy of the report can be sent to you.
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