02/20/2018

Suggestions for congregations to save money on software, computer hardware and office supplies

As budgets become tighter and tighter, it is often critical to look at every part of how a congregation spends its money, including office supplies, software and hardware. These items are essential to your congregation but they cost money. You can't do without, so how do you save money on the things you must have? Below are a couple of sources the Southern Ohio Synod Office uses to reduce its costs for the essentials. Check them out and see if you can benefit from the savings offered.

Software and Hardware

Tech Soup http://www.techsoup.org/

How do I request technology products from TechSoup?

Just join TechSoup and provide your organization's information. Within seven business days, we'll validate that your organization is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit or public library.

After we validate your organization, you can request donations from our catalog. Your organization's eligibility for specific donations is based on each donor's eligibility rules.

Office Supplies

Amazon for Business with Prime

https://www.amazon.com/b2b/info/amazon-business?layout=landing

Two-day delivery on pretty much anything you will need with no shipping costs. Order a little or a lot at a time, doesn't matter. 

Note: Deliveries come two days after ordering regardless of holidays and weekends, so if your church building isn't staffed all the time, make sure to order so your deliveries come when folks will be there or have deliveries sent to another location. Deliveries are attempted multiple times, so if something happens and you're not there, they will try again.

You can also submit your tax exempt information to Amazon so you won't pay sales tax on most items. This savings can really add up!

Above are just two of the resources the Southern Ohio Synod uses for our office administration needs. There may be others out there, but here's a place to start if you want to start saving money and redirecting it to mission and ministry!