USG shares its Sunday offerings to mostly-local charitable organizations nominated by our members. Starting in the Fall of 2022, we share half our plate every Sunday with each organization, usually for two weeks in a row.

Our generous members have contributed over $145,000 since 2013 to important needs and causes (see partial list of recipients below):

In doing this we are:

• Connecting to something larger than ourselves.
• Acknowledging our interdependence with each other.
• Shifting our congregational outlook to one of abundance rather than scarcity.
• Strengthening our ties with our immediate community.
• Showing our community that we are the church “of the loving heart, open mind and helping hands” in a very real and tangible way.

The charitable organizations we donate to must meet the following criteria:

• The organization or project must be proposed by a member of USG, preferably one who is not an employee of the organization.
• The organization or project must be non-profit and non-partisan. We prefer that the organization be incorporated under the 501(c)(3) section of the IRS, but exceptions are possible if other criteria are met.
• The organization or project must address issues of social justice, including but not limited to promoting fair and equal treatment for all; empowering marginalized communities; reducing poverty, racism, and homophobia; improving public education; aiding the elderly; reducing violence; preserving the environment; and promoting community health.

Proposals meeting the first three criteria will be evaluated and prioritized according to how many of the following questions can be answered positively:

• Does the organization or project promote positive change in nearby communities?
• Does the organization or project already involve USG members or provide opportunities for USG members to become involved as participants?
• Does the organization or project support UUA or UUA affiliated initiatives?
• Does the organization or project provide opportunities for USG to work with other religious organizations in nearby communities?

Here is a list of some Share the Plate recipients in recent years:

Variety – The Children’s Charity
Sisters Laying Down Hands
Leidy Sheeder Bonanno Memorial Scholarship fund
Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club
Meadville & Starr King Seminaries
United Ukrainian American Relief Committee (UUARC)
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Philadelphia
Mothers in Charge
Colonial Area Anti-Racism & Social Equity Alliance (CAARSEA)
DRUUMM
Victim Services Center of MontCo
The Bethesda Project ("Our Brothers Place")
People Advancing Reintegration (PAR) Recycle Works
Philadelphia Unemployment Project
The Attic
Abortion Liberation Fund of PA
Family Promise Philadelphia
Mt. Airy Teachers’ Fund
Men Who Care of Germantown
The Clinic
Whosoever Gospel Mission
The Patrician Society
Creative Coping
Laurel House
Victim Services Center of MontCo
Phila Interfaith Walk for Peace & Reconciliation
UU United Nations Office
Starr King School for the Ministry
Covenant House PA
Philadelphia Mural Arts
UUHouse Outreach
Nationalities Services Center
Neighborhood Bike Works
Broad Street Ministry
Maternity Care Coalition
Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center
Lest We Forget Slavery Museum
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
Rebuilding Together – Philadelphia
People’s Emergency Center
Cradles to Crayons
New Sanctuary Movement
Inn Dwelling
Heeding God's Call
Phila Folklore Project
Pathways PA
Kenya Medical Education Trust
UUA – Association Sunday
Community Church UU (New Orleans)
First Church New Orleans
UUJusticePA
Women in Transition
Neighborhood Interfaith Movement (NIM)
Habitat for Humanity/Philadelphia
Lingelbach & Henry Schools
Need in Deed
Unitarian Universalist House
Philabundance
Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network (PIHN)
Reach Out and Read
UUSC Cyclone Relief