The board of trustees has approved a $7.4 million budget for 2026, anchored by a projected giving base of $8.1 million. Of this, $4.6 million (57%) is allocated to staffing and contracted services — a meaningful increase from $4.3 million (52%) in 2025, driven by the strategic addition of five new positions throughout the year.

This staffing increase reflects deliberate investment in ministry infrastructure — specifically in Formation, Connections, and Development leadership — that positions RSF for sustained ministry health and the upcoming capital campaign.

Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and independent church consulting research consistently identify 50–60% as the healthy range for staffing and contracted services as a percentage of total operating budget. Below 50% often signals underinvestment in pastoral care and programming. Above 60% creates structural fragility — any giving shortfall translates directly into personnel decisions.

The 2026 figure of 57% reflects partial-year costs for hires made throughout the calendar year. When all five new positions are fully annualized in 2027, total staffing rises to approximately $4.8 million (59%) — still within range, but with no room for additional hires without a corresponding increase in giving.

Five new positions are part of the 2026 staffing plan. Due to the timing of hires across the year, 2026 reflects a partial-year cost of approximately $400K, with full annualization reaching $555K in 2027.

Margaret Hong (Nov '25) — Executive Assistant, $125K
Full year realized in 2026. Provides senior operational support across the executive function.

Heather Casimere (Feb '26) — Pastoral Resident, $80K
50% of salary offset by the Made to Flourish (MTF) Grant, reducing net cost to RSF to $40K. Limited to a 2-year term.

Sam Roberson (Mar '26) — Connections Director, $80K
Directly addresses the strategic priority of congregational connection and integration.

Development Director (Q1 '26) — $80K
Required for the upcoming capital campaign. Contracted as a 3-year term position.

Tim Chaddick (Jul '26) — Formation Pastor, $190K
The most significant single hire, beginning July. Full-year impact of $190K begins in 2027 and is included in board-approved staffing projections.

An optional church-planting candidate is under consideration. Adding this role at approximately $80K would increase total staffing to approximately $4.68M — pushing the 2026 staffing ratio from 57% to approximately 58–60%, at the ceiling of best-practice guidance.

A conservative approach would be to approve this role conditionally — confirming mid-year giving trajectory before finalizing the offer.

Finance and Operations recommends the following as the long-term target allocation framework for RSF's operating budget:

Staffing & Contracted Services: 50–60% — current position is healthy. No new permanent positions should be added in 2026 beyond those already approved without a corresponding giving increase or a term-limited structure.

Ministry Operations: 15–20% — currently at 33%, which reflects our investment in program delivery, events, and care. This is above target and warrants ongoing review as staffing fully matures.

Facilities: 10–15% — currently at 10%, within the ideal range. Building initiatives are funded separately through capital campaign proceeds and should not be drawn from the operating budget.

Tithe / Missions: 10–15% — currently at approximately 7%. This is below the recommended level and reflects a prioritization of ministry build-out. Finance recommends a phased increase as giving grows.