About UTO

The United Thank Offering began in 1883 when the women of the church took up a thank offering to support innovative mission and ministry in The Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion that the church budget could not cover.

Today, UTO includes members of all ages and genders, and welcomes people regardless of church affiliation. UTO’s focus is still on promoting gratitude and supporting innovative projects that address compelling needs around the globe.

How UTO Works

Gratitude is a pretty simple concept, but is something that many people find hard to practice. Being grateful requires simply noticing something good in your life and responding with thanks. Noticing more good things, feeling gratitude for them, and thanking the people who made those good things possible builds positivity and happiness in both the grateful person and the thanked people. This creates a spreading circle of gratitude and kindness.

Because learning to be grateful requires practice, UTO provides materials and creates opportunities for anyone to begin or deepen a gratitude practice. There are many good things that happen in our lives that we can’t say thank you for, such as a beautiful sunrise or recovery from illness. In these moments, UTO members make a thank offering either online or in a Blue Box as a way of sharing their gratitude.

Our Leadership

The United Thank Offering is governed by an incredible volunteer Board. The Board is comprised of one representative from each of the nine Provinces of the Episcopal Church, four appointed members, and an Executive Committee.

To support the work of the board, the United Thank Offering has one staff person and two part-time consultants.

Governing Documents

UTO Bylaws

UTO Policies and Procedures

Board Member Handbook

Understanding UTO Funding

Memorandum of Understanding

UTO Leaders Handbook 2024-2027

Our History

At the 1889 Triennial Meeting in New York, the Women’s Auxiliary instituted the United Offering for the support of innovative mission projects and to send female missionaries to serve as nurses and teachers. The United Offering eventually became known as the United Thank Offering (UTO) collecting the prayers and grateful offerings of The Episcopal Church in thanksgiving for the many blessings of this life. Throughout its existence, the work of UTO was fundamental to expanding the mission of The Episcopal Church. While UTO has expanded and grown over the years, the United Thank Offering continues to promote the spiritual practice of gratitude.