Giving Questions - New Tribes Mission USA

Questions

How are NTM missionaries paid?

NTM missionaries receive funds for their ministries from their sending churches, and from other churches and individuals. New Tribes Mission members are not salaried. In faith they look to the Lord for provision of their financial needs, knowing that God has instructed His people to meet the needs of those in His service.

What about pay for home staff and mission leaders?

Missionaries who serve in the USA and NTM leaders also look to the Lord for provision of their financial needs. They are not salaried either.

How much support is recommended for an NTM missionary?

The recommended support for an NTM missionary varies according to where they serve, what their ministry involves, and how large their family is. You may ask a missionary about their recommended support level, or contact our Finance Office for that information:

1-866-547-2460
finance-office_hq@ntm.org
New Tribes Mission
1000 East First Street
Sanford, Florida 32771

How are support levels determined?

Recommended support levels are based on the actual costs of ministering and living at a reasonable level.

Missionaries are responsible for ministry expenses, benefits and taxes, including costs that are usually an employer’s responsibility.

For instance, missionaries must pay twice as much into Social Security as the typical U.S. employee, because they are paying both the employee and employer shares. They pay for all of their own medical and life insurance premiums, and retirement. Missionaries usually pay for their own ministry-related travel and much of the equipment needed for ministry.

An overseas missionary’s ministry expenses are typically 35 percent of their recommended support level, with 30 percent going toward benefits and taxes and 35 percent for personal expenses.

For a U.S.-based missionary, 10 percent is typically for ministry expenses and 30 percent for taxes, with 60 percent for personal expenses.

What if missionaries receive less than is recommended?

New Tribes Mission does not require missionaries to have 100 percent of their recommended support in order to begin or continue service.

However, serving with less than the recommended support brings stress greater than the typical family faces when expenses threaten to outstrip resources. For missionaries, the added burden is deciding whether to fund the ministry God has called them to, or take care of family needs. With less support than is recommended, they may not buy items needed for ministry. Medical expenses or vehicle repairs may not be funded, or retirement planning won’t occur.

When you help a missionary reach their recommended support level, you help equip them for effective ministry.

How much of my gift will the missionary receive?

Each gift you give will be used in full for the expenses of the missionary’s ministry or project you designate.

What about credit card transaction fees?

The fees that credit card companies charge for online transactions — 2.2 percent of each gift — are charged to the ministry accounts of the missionaries who receive the gifts. You will still receive a tax-deductible receipt for the full amount of the gift. At the time of your donation online, you will have the opportunity to increase your gift to cover those transaction fees.

Transaction fees for gifts to projects are paid for by New Tribes Mission.

If you are concerned about the cost of your gift to your missionary, you may wish to use an electronic funds transfer.

How do I change recurring credit card gifts?

Please note that you must be logged into an account to set up a recurring gift, or to make changes to you recurring giving.

To stop a gift: Log into "My Giving Account" and click "Stop" next to the gift you wish to stop.
To change the amount you are giving: Log into "My Giving Account" and set up the gift again, but with the new amount. This will override your current gift.
To add a missionary or project to your monthly giving: Log into "My Giving Account" and set up the gift. It will be automatically added to your current gifts.

If you have any questions or problems with your recurring gifts, please contact David George: david_george@ntm.org or call him toll-free during East Coast business hours at 866-547-2460

What if I need to change my credit card information for a recurring credit card gift?

If you need to update your credit or debit card's expiration date, log into "My Giving Account" and locate your card. Click on "Edit" and update the expiration date.

If you have a new credit card with new numbers, you we can set that up over the phone. Call David George, toll-free, during East Coast business hours, at 866-547-2460

Can I give using a credit card issued outside the USA?

We are able to take gifts made with a credit card issued outside the USA. The gift will be in US dollars and your credit card company will calculate the exchange rate. They may also charge a fee for a foreign transaction. Contact the company that issued your credit card for details or more information.

You should also be aware that your receipt is valid for a US tax deduction, but may not be valid for tax deductions, if there are any, in other countries.

Are my gifts tax-deductible?

All gifts to New Tribes Mission for support of missionaries and projects are tax-deductible. As required by the IRS, gifts should be given with the understanding that they are under the full discretion and control of New Tribes Mission.

You may also make personal gifts — for birthdays or Christmas, for instance. If you designate a gift as personal, you will receive a non-tax-deductible receipt.

Also, gifts to students at the Missionary Training Center and to participants in Interface are not tax-deductible. The IRS allows deductions for charitable purposes, not for educational purposes.

Are my gifts to students and Interface participants tax-deductible?

Gifts to students at the Missionary Training Center and to participants in Interface are not tax-deductible. The IRS allows deductions for charitable purposes, not for educational purposes, and these are educational programs.

When does the missionary receive my gift?

As soon as your gift is received by New Tribes Mission, it is credited to the missionary’s account. At the end of each calendar month, the funds are distributed to each missionary.

Why is my total giving not showing up in "My Giving Account"?

Your giving account shows only gifts made online while you are logged in. It does not include any gifts made by phone, check, electronic funds transfer or other methods. It also does not show any gifts you made online without logging in. You will receive monthly statements and a year-end receipt that reflect all your gifts to ministries in New Tribes Mission.