New Dollars / New Partners Registration Now Open for Fall 2025

NEW DOLLARS/NEW PARTNERS  is a training program to provide resources to help congregations manage and make the most of their buildings, form new relationships in their communities, and raise funds from new sources. The program is intended for congregational teams, including one senior clergy person and two or three lay leaders. All team members participate in a combination of virtual and in-person sessions.

A new national cohort will run from September – November 2025, with two online sessions and a full day in-person session in Philadelphia, PA.

Interested? Join our online orientation to learn more about the program.

Online Orientation – Thursday, April 10, 7pm EST

What Are the Learning Components of New Dollars / New Partners?

MODULE 1: MAKING THE CASE FOR YOUR SACRED PLACE
Congregations learn to articulate a compelling case for support based on the value of their architectural assets, their heritage in a wider community context, and the value of their outreach and ministry. Congregations gain access to the Public Value Tool, which can assist in quantifying and interpreting the impact that the congregations already have in their communities. After this session, congregations begin drafting a case statement that promotes their identity and impact to a wide audience.

MODULE 2: LEVERAGING NEW COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Through focusing on what congregations have to offer their wider community, this session changes the way congregations view their place in the social fabric of their neighborhood. Congregations rediscover the core values and priorities that can lead to mission-aligned partnerships with a variety of organizations as well as the assets and resources that can make these new partnerships possible. After this session, congregations identify potential advocates and allies who would be excited to partner in the use and management of the facilities.

MODULE 3: BUILDING CARE AND CAPITAL FUNDRAISING
Congregations get a professional view of how to manage their facilities to ensure good maintenance of their physical assets. Congregations learn to cultivate a strong culture of giving, as well as the structure and timeline of successful capital campaigns and initiatives. They are introduced to the role of congregation leadership, volunteers, and outside professionals in successful fundraising efforts. After this session, congregations finalize their case statement and articulate new stewardship strategies for the maintenance and preservation of their buildings.

Program History and Testimonials

Partners for Sacred Places has created many highly-regarded programs that have advanced and sustained the civic value of older and historic sacred places. NEW DOLLARS/NEW PARTNERS has been one of the most effective, serving over 2,500 congregational leaders from over 1,000 congregations around the country. Partners has trained congregations that have been sponsored by judicatories and other organizations, and now — for the first time — any congregation in the United States, regardless of denomination, size, or location can participate.

External evaluation of NEW DOLLARS/NEW PARTNERS  by the TCC Group found that participating congregational leaders improved their knowledge on how to maximize the use of sacred spaces, vision for property stewardship, and motivation to preserve their buildings. Here’s what some past participants have had to say:

“One of the most important benefits was the sense the training gave that despite the overwhelming nature of capital projects and the work involved to plan and carry them through, the process is manageable and even exciting. I left with a ‘We can do this!’ attitude.”  Rev. Ross Carmichael, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, PA

“The training inspired and reinvigorated our fundraising efforts that had begun to stall. We were taught how to re-frame the conversation and our own thinking in how we approached what seemed like a terrible thing – Meeting our 1st fundraising goal, but still not having the money to complete the project – and turn it into an opportunity that enabled us to not only raise the funds to complete the project, but moved people in such a way that donors and ideas came out of the membership to increase the scope and impact of the renovation and preservation.” Rabbi Scott Nagel, Congregation Beth Ahabah, Richmond, VA

“Three members of our team participated in the New Dollars/New Partners training program offered by Sacred Places last summer and found the research and training to be invaluable.  We believe the Partners for Sacred Places’ equipping model and tools are essential for congregations stewarding historic buildings, while also serving the community through relevant and timely programs and partnerships.” Rev. Dr. Deborah Rundlett, Ridgebury Congregational Church, Ridgebury, CT

“It is far too easy for churches to concentrate on what they do not have. New Dollars/New Partners teaches that it is essential for organizations to change their mindset and recognize all of their assets.“ Donald Popielarz, St. Adalbert’s Catholic Church, South Bend, IN

“It’s so genuine how you guys truly care about sacred spaces and empowering churches with the tools they need. You do have the expertise we can lean on to learn, and then we become empowered, and then we can have not one but ten capital campaigns. Rev. Roy Atwood, Judson Memorial Church, New York, NY

“Rather than seeing the building maintenance and running costs as the main thing our building offers, I see that it is possible to find new partners, new ways to use our space, and that our space is a great resource. Julie Everett, First Presbyterian of Moscow, ID