dedicated in honor of the Reverend and Mrs. Alson
Robinson in June of 1947, commemorating their 25
years of service to the congregation. Reaching out to the
donor family over 60 years later exemplifies the New
Dollars approach to individual fundraising.
The FUSP team began thinking about
sources within its own circles. “We began
to think, ‘oh, that congregation member
has kids we can ask,’ and ‘why not talk
to the family that donated the Robinson
Window?’”
The Reverend Tracy Sprowls-Jenks,
First Unitarian Society of Plainfield
Before participating in New Dollars, “we thought
we were alone,” explains Reverend Sprowls-Jenks.
But after seeing so many other congregations face
the challenges of historic sacred places, the church
leadership now sees things differently. There are
endless opportunities for working with the local
community and nearby congregations. “If the
Presbyterian [church] down the road is also renovating,
we can work together and get more money from grants.”
FUSP’s collective outlook has shifted dramatically.
After New Dollars/New Partners, board meetings
have never been the same; discussions now focus on
opportunities for partnerships with local organizations
and nearby congregations. Although the process of
tran ͱ