Frequently Asked Questions

Stewardship at Mount Olivet is both a celebration and a commitment. Every September, we gather for our traditional meatball meal together – a time to share food, friendship, and gratitude for all God has provided. Stewardship also involves looking ahead, inviting everyone to make a pledge and/or set up their giving for the coming year. It’s our way of saying, “Yes—we are personally committed to the good God is calling us to do together.”

Pledging: Your intentional commitment—a promise of what you plan to give to Mount Olivet during the calendar year (January through December). It helps the church budget wisely and faithfully for the year ahead. 

Giving: How you fulfill that pledge—through actual financial contributions. Many people choose to set up automated giving through Realm, which is one of the most convenient and consistent ways to follow through on your pledge. You can give in whatever way works best for you. 

You can make your pledge in one of two ways: 

1. Online through Realm (our secure giving platform) Click Here

1. By paper using the pledge card mailed to all members in late August 

Need help? Contact Tricia Lerohl-Morgan at tricial@mtolivet.org or 612.767.2255. She will be happy to walk you through the steps. 

No. Making a new pledge does not automatically update any scheduled gifts you already have set up. If you change anything about your pledge—amount, frequency, or payment type (including credit card expiration dates)—be sure to log in to Realm and update your scheduled giving separately. Thank you for taking this extra step!

You can give in several ways: 

• Online: Use Realm, a secure online platform, to make a one-time gift or set up scheduled recurring gifts. Click Here

• Text: Text MTOLIVET to 73256 

• Cash or Check: Place in the offering plate or mail to:
  Mount Olivet Lutheran Church – Finance
  5025 Knox Avenue South
  Minneapolis, MN 55419 

• Other options: Gifts of stock, IRA distributions, or donor-advised funds. Please see the Planned Giving page for more information about these giving options. 

Need help setting up your giving? Contact Tricia Lerohl-Morgan, Coordinator of Financial Records, at trical@mtolivet.org or 612.767.2255. 

Yes. Realm uses industry-standard encryption and PCI-compliant security measures to keep your data safe.

Yes. Mount Olivet is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, and all eligible gifts are tax-deductible. You’ll receive a year-end giving statement each January for your records.

You can donate stocks, bonds, or mutual funds directly to the church, often avoiding capital gains tax and receiving a charitable deduction for the full value. Contact the Mount Olivet Finance or Development office for transfer instructions. (Learn More Here). 

Yes, if you’re 70½ or older, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA, which may count toward your required minimum distribution and be tax-free. Click here to access our Smart Giving from Your IRA information sheet. (Hyper-link to PDF). 

Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a giving account you can establish through a financial institution or foundation. You receive an immediate tax deduction and can direct gifts to the church over time.

Yes. In addition to cash, we may be able to accept gifts of real estate, life insurance and more. Contact the Development Office.

Many companies offer matching gift programs that can double or triple your donation to Mount Olivet. Check with your HR department to see if your employer participates.

While we are grounded in faith, ministry also requires practical resources. Your gifts support worship and music, youth programs, pastoral care, outreach ministries, mission partners, and building upkeep. Giving helps us respond to God’s call to do good—in our congregation, in our city, and beyond.

Every dollar supports the mission and ministries of Mount Olivet, including: 

• Worship and music 

• Children, youth, and adult faith formation 

• Community and global outreach 

• Pastoral care and counseling 

• Facility maintenance and staffing 

An annual report is published every March, so you can see your impact clearly. 

That’s a personal decision between you and God. Many people use a percentage of their income—like the biblical tithe (10%)—as an aspirational goal. Others grow their giving over time. For those not yet giving, sometimes the best answer is simply to start. However you give, we encourage it to be thoughtful, joyful, and intentional.

Give as you’re able. We understand that life brings seasons of abundance and challenge. What matters most is your spirit of generosity. Every gift makes a difference, and every act of giving—financial or otherwise—supports our shared mission.

Yes. Our annual report includes a full financial summary and is available to all members at the Annual Meeting held in March. You may also view the report here: 2024 Annual Report. Transparency is how we honor your trust. 

We have a director of finance who oversees the department, additionally our finance committee, church council, senior pastor, and finance office work together to ensure faithful stewardship of our financial resources. We follow best practices in nonprofit financial management, including regular audits and financial reviews. 

If you have more questions about stewardship in general, please contact Katie Stevenson, Director of Stewardship, at katies@mtolivet.org or 612.767.2232.