Jubilee Fund
Start a Jubilee Fund for someone in your church.
When someone on your church staff faces an urgent, unexpected need, a Jubilee Fund lets the people who know them help meet it. You lead the campaign as its Coordinator. Rivergate verifies the need, processes every gift, and pays the providers directly.
Who it's for
Who a Jubilee Fund Is For
On Your Church Staff
The person in need is on your church staff: full-time, part-time, or bivocational. A church that supports a missionary but does not have them on staff is not their employer for this purpose.
A One-Time, Urgent Need
For example, medical bills, a vehicle emergency, or a housing crisis.
Based in the United States
The need, the provider, and the payment must all be based in the U.S.
Verified by a Church Leader
A leader at the church with the authority to confirm the person is on staff, and to approve the need, gives a reference before anything launches.
Who does what
You carry the story. We carry the details.
What You Do
- Apply on their behalf and gather what the application needs.
- Build the campaign page in your account: the story, photos, goal, and dates. Then send it for approval.
- Rally your community: reach out personally, especially before launch day.
- Carry the campaign: post updates and thank donors throughout the 30 days.
- Close well: let Rivergate know at close-out so payment can begin.
What Rivergate Does
- Reviews every application and verifies the need with your church leader.
- Assigns an Advocate who walks with you from page review through close-out.
- Reviews and approves your page before it launches.
- Processes every gift and sends donor receipts.
- Sends a thank-you to every donor at close-out, including anonymous givers.
- Pays the providers directly, so the need is met.
How it works
From Application to Launch
- 1
Apply
Tell us about the need, the person, and who will verify it.
- 2
Verification
Your church leader confirms the person is on staff and approves the need. Our team reviews the application and may ask for more information.
- 3
Agreement
Once it's approved, you sign a simple agreement online and Rivergate countersigns.
- 4
Build your page
You add the story, photos, and dates, then send the page for approval.
- 5
Launch
The campaign runs for 30 days.
- 6
Close-out
Rivergate pays the providers directly and thanks every donor.
What to Have Ready
- What happened, and what it will cost
- Invoices, estimates, or provider documentation for the amount
- The provider's contact information
- Your church leader's name, email, and phone for the reference
- Two clear photos of the person or family
Campaign Coordinator Hub
A 30-day path, and everything you need to walk it.
Once your campaign is approved, the Hub walks you from launch to close-out with a playbook, ready-to-use sharing resources, and answers to common questions.
Approved
Welcome
Get oriented and bookmark the Hub.
Before launch
Playbook
Read the full guide, from story to close-out.
Day 1
Kickoff
Line up 5 to 10 day-one givers. Aim for 25% on day one.
Day 10
Midpoint
Post an update and thank early donors by name.
Day 21
Final push
Reach out personally and plan a last 72 hours.
Days 27 to 30
Close-out
Thank donors and notify Rivergate to begin disbursement.
Common questions
Before You Start
- Do I have to be the person in need?
- No. Jubilee Funds are often started by someone who knows the person well. Every Jubilee Fund has a Campaign Coordinator who is willing to rally people around them and their need.
- Is money given directly to the family?
- No. Rivergate pays providers directly, such as hospitals, clinics, and auto dealers. In a Jubilee Fund, funds are never given directly to the recipient.
- Are gifts tax-deductible?
- Yes. Gifts are made to Rivergate Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
- Is there a fee?
- A 3% sustainability margin covers secure payment processing and the work behind every campaign: reviewing applications, verifying the need, and supporting each Coordinator. That is the only margin we apply.
- What if the goal isn't met?
- Every gift is still applied to the verified need.
- What if more is raised than needed?
- The surplus stays with Rivergate Foundation, which directs it to other Rivergate programs.
More answers are in the Coordinator FAQ.
Know someone on your staff facing an urgent need?
Start with the Jubilee Fund application. It takes a few minutes to begin, and you can save a draft and come back.