Can we return FSY funds to member- could not go

I have been asked "how can we reimburse brother ......... for the money he contributed for his children for FSY (but they didn’t go and we didn’t get charged for them)." Is this something we can do and what is the best way to go about it?

Thank You!

I'd assume you'd just write a check against whatever account you deposited his funds into. Since you indicate you weren't charged for them, the money should still be there.

The only reason I questioned this, is that I thought I saw something in the church handbook that said this was not allowed. Just wanted to be sure. Thanks for your response!

That's in 34.3.7. That is true of donations like Tithing, Fast Offer, Missionary, etc.

But I don't think that covers things like EFY which is mentioned in 20.6.3 and I can't find any mention of in 34. Now, if this was a contribution to a fund raiser, that might be different. But this sounds like a direct "pay to let my child go" deal and is not considered a charitable contribution.

Normally there are two parts to the FSY payment. The youth (or family) pay $75 directly to the church when registering for FSY. If the youth withdraws in time then this portion should be refunded automatically by the church and the ward shouldn't need to do anything but it may take 6 weeks to process (see https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/you ... s?lang=eng).

The ward is also responsible for paying $75 for each participant. The family should not be asked to contribute to pay this portion so there should not be any refund required here.

The tricky part happens if the ward needs to pay a part of the $75 the youth/family is responsible for. In that case the bishop marks this fact when declaring the youth eligible for FSY and the youth won't be charged when registering. The ward will be charged the youth's $75 in addition to the wards $75. The family may then contribute however much the bishop decides is appropriate and puts that amount in the FSY budget category.

Assuming the latter applies in this case, then just make a payment back to the family for the amount they paid from the FSY category. Include documentation indicating that it's a refund and reference the original deposit.

This page has specific information on how refunds are handled although it doesn't mention about a ward refunding a partial payment: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/you ... n?lang=eng

I can't find anything that specifically authorizes returning camp or FSY payments but it was specifically authorized with the old Other:AMFA categories. Plus payments to budget are not tax deductible so they aren't counted as charitable donations that can't be returned. It only makes sense that if someone pays and can't go (especially if they withdraw ahead of time), that their payment should be refunded.

Responding to this since we’re in FSY season. If a stake is off-cycle, participants may also be asked to pay the $75 ward fee since stakes and wards don’t budget for FSY in off cycle years. However, youth from off-cycle stakes can register for FSY after on-cycle stakes get a chance.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/ ... f?lang=eng