A Faith-Based Guide to Successful Support Raising

A Faith-Based Guide To Successful Support Raising

“LORD, I’LL GO.” How wonderful it is to willingly follow God’s call to serve Him and others.

There are more opportunities and places in the world to serve than there are people inclined to go. Many have not realized that God is able to use our unique gifts and abilities to reach out to others. Gifts of singing, dance, theatrical arts, teaching, administration and more can all be used in service to humanity. These are tools we can use to educate, encourage, and even evangelize the world. Whatever your mission may be, consider yourself blessed to be part of God’s plan on earth.

“Lord, how do I get there?”

Once you have decided to participate in the mission to which you were called, you are faced with the reality that service, particularly an international project, requires a great deal of support from others. You will need spiritual, emotional, and financial provisions in order to reach your destination and accomplish your purpose. The process of obtaining these provisions can be intimidating, frustrating, and difficult for many. If you are reading this and are discouraged, wondering how you can possibly raise all of the support you need to reach your mission, let me encourage you. If the Lord has called you to go, He will provide what you need to get there! But realize that there are a few things you will have to do in order for it to happen. Fundraising 2

“How can I raise support in my church?”

Just as individuals are different, denominations are different, the churches in those denominations are different, the communities surrounding those churches are different, and the ethnic groups that comprise those communities and churches are different. These differences will influence on the way you raise support. My Christian life has been spent as a member of an old, traditional African-American (ABC) Baptist church located in the heart of South of Philadelphia. Having assisted hundreds of students, from a variety of backgrounds who were raising support for missions, I have noted that there are certain methods for support raising that are more or less effective in inner-city and traditional African-American churches. That will be reflected in the suggestions that follow. Before you begin raising support in your church there are two beliefs to which you must adhere. First, you must believe that raising support is more than obtaining money for your purposes. As you begin to do cross-cultural work with a group of people, you will encounter a number of emotional stresses and spiritual challenges. At such time, money will be of no assistance to you. Consider the words of the apostle Paul. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.1

It is important that you solicit prayer and moral support from family, friends, and your local congregation. During times of conflict, challenge, and struggle, the Lord will honor those prayers on your behalf.

Raising support accomplishes other valuable objectives as well. Raising support builds team spirit and cohesiveness. Raising support raises money. Raising support raises awareness about the mission of the organization with which you are traveling. Raising support educates people about what God is doing in the world. The process of support raising is a needed and important component of the trip.

1 Scripture quotations reprinted from The NIV Study Bible. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Corporation, 1985), 2 Corinthians 1:11. Emphasis mine. Fundraising 3

Second, you must believe that the raising support is more than an individual’s effort—it is a team effort. I have assisted numerous mission teams in raising support and have noticed that understanding this principle makes a world of difference in a group’s success. Whether you are traveling with people you know or people you do not know, you must begin to view yourself as a team prior to your departure. You are already a team based upon purpose (e.g. We are traveling to X in order to achieve these objectives). You are already a team based upon task (e.g. We are working together as a choir or dance ministry or administrative team or evangelists). Because you are united in purpose and/or task, you need to be united in your efforts to see that every member of the team is emotionally, spiritually, and financially prepared to complete the mission. I always tell my students to adopt this mentality—If one person does not have the resources to go, none of us can go! With this mindset, every team has always raised abundantly more support than they expected or needed.

There are two methods of support raising that seem particularly effective when doing so in conjunction with local churches. The first method is direct solicitation. The second is fundraising events. Before you engage in either of these activities be assured that there is a biblical basis for doing so. Examine the five Bible passages below and answer the questions that follow.

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. Luke 8:1-3 Question: How was the livelihood of Jesus and his disciples provided as they traveled to various towns preaching the good news? Fundraising 4

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After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them…’When you enter a house, first say, “Peace to this house.” If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages.’ Luke 10:1,5-7a

Questions: Is it okay to accept lodging and food from those you serve? If so, why?

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Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except only you; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:14-19

Questions: Notice that the church as a whole supported Paul. How often did they do so?

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How did Paul (& the Lord) view these from the church?

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What promise was given to this generous church? (last verse)

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And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 2 Corinthians 8:1-4

Questions: What should be the attitude of a church in giving toward God’s work?

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Is wealth a prerequisite for giving? ______

I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there [to Spain], after I have enjoyed your company for a while. Romans 15:24

Question: Is it okay to make ones needs known? [See also Nehemiah 2]

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These Scripture in addition to numerous others teach many things about raising support.

It is okay to allow people to bless you materially. It is okay to accept food and shelter from the people you are going to serve. The Bible says that you are worthy of it because of your work. Churches should financially support those who are doing God’s work in the world. Many churches supported Paul and other missionaries—not because they were wealthy, but because it was the loving thing to do. It is okay to make your needs known. Do not feel embarrassed or ashamed to share with others your mission and your need. Fundraising 6

Asking/Direct Solicitation As a team and as individuals on the team, you will need to prayerfully ask others to provide the support you need. Follow these steps: pray, brainstorm, send letters, follow-up with phone calls or visits if necessary, send thank you cards.

SPEND TIME PRAYING AS A TEAM REGARDING YOUR WANTS AND NEEDS FOR THE TRIP. IT IS IMPORTANT SPEND THIS TIME WITH GOD, AFTER ALL “THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S AND EVERYTHING IN IT, THE WORLD, AND ALL WHO LIVE IN IT” (PSALM 24:1) AND SOMETIMES “YOU DO NOT HAVE BECAUSE YOU DO NOT ASK GOD” (JAMES 4:2B). BEGIN BY GOING TO THE SOURCE OF YOUR RESOURCES. Before determining who should ask for support, simply brainstorm a list of the people you know. Realize that it is difficult to predict which people will be willing to support you spiritually and/or financially.

Forty-eight percent of the money comes from households with incomes under $50,000. Do not think you need millionaires and movie stars to do good fundraising. Even if you are working in a low- or middle-income community, you can raise the money you want.2

The people (or churches) who seem most able to give are often the ones who provide little or no support, and the ones who seem to be in lack are often the ones who give generously. Your responsibility is to simply share your mission and your need with those you know—then watch God work on your behalf! On the following brainstorming worksheet list the names of everyone you know—yes everyone. Begin by writing the names of your family members, friends, and co-workers. Include those who seem unlikely or unable to give.

2 Joan Flanagan, Successful Fundraising: A Complete Handbook for Volunteers and Professionals (2 nd Edition) (Lincolnwood, IL: Contemporary Books, 2000), 12. Fundraising 7

By writing one name it will trigger you to think of another. For example, you may write the name of your 4 year old neice. That may trigger you to think of her babysitter, her teachers, her doctors and the like. Try to list at least 75 people. If you get stuck, perhaps the list below will trigger some additional names for you.  Barber/beautician  Doctors (primary, dentist, ob/gyn)  In-laws  Teachers (graduate school, college, high school, elementary school)  Former teachers  Dry cleaner  Mechanic  Friends of family members  Family members of friends  Social/community organizations of which you were a part  Pastors and Churches  Ministries on which you serve or have served  Church leaders  Church members  Members of clubs/organizations of which you are a part  Owners of stores you frequent  Co-workers/colleagues  Former co-workers/colleagues  Former employers/employees  Neighbors  Coaches  People in your phone book  People you would invite to your wedding  Lawyer  Go through your address book Fundraising 8

BRAINSTORMING People I Know

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After brainstorming the names of those you know, prayerfully begin to narrow your list to include those you will specifically ask to support you. You can eliminate young children and people who are raising support with you but do not exclude people because they are old or poor or non-Christians. Joan Flanagan in her book, Successful Fundraising: A Complete Handbook for Volunteers and Professionals said, If you want to find the most generous prospects, here is what the Independent Sector survey revealed about American donors who give the most to charities:

 They worship weekly. Eighty percent of Americans active in religious organization made gifts, compared with only 55 percent of people who did not belong to a church, synagogue, mosque, or temple. People who regularly attend religious services made 70 percent of all contributions to charity and gave more to nonsectarian causes than those who do not worship.

 The join. Good donors are members in other organizations, including unions, sports organizations and political parties.

 They vote. Americans who vote give more money and volunteer more often.

 The have the option to give through their company. The most generous donors have access to payroll deduction at their workplace; they also volunteer more often when the opportunity is offered at work.

 They itemize. Taxpayers who claim their deductions on their federal income tax returns give four times as much as people who do not claim a deduction for charity.

 They volunteer. American households with a volunteer contributed an average of $1,135; households without a volunteer gave an average of $275. More then ninety-three million Americans volunteer and the number if growing.

Over 77 percent of Americans reported they gave money to charities in 1995. This means that if you ask ten people, at least seven can say yes.3

3 Flanagan, 12. Fundraising 11

AFTER YOU HAVE COMPILED A LIST OF POSSIBLE SUPPORTS, DRAFT A LETTER TO SEND THEM. THE PURPOSE OF THIS LETTER IS TO INFORM THEM ABOUT YOUR TRIP AND INSPIRE THEM TO BECOME INVOLVED IN HELPING YOU AND YOUR TEAMMATES TO GO. IF POSSIBLE, USE A COMPUTER TO TYPE YOUR LETTER, THEN YOU MAY PHOTOCOPY IT FOR MANY PEOPLE. BE SURE, HOWEVER, TO ADDRESS EACH POTENTIAL SUPPORTER BY NAME (IN WRITING) AND SIGN EVERY LETTER IN INK (IN BLUE INK— PEOPLE WILL FEEL IT’S MORE PERSONAL). INCLUDE IN YOUR LETTER GREETINGS, THE DATE AND PLACE OF THE TRIP, THE NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION(S) WITH WHICH YOU ARE TRAVELING, THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIP, AND WHAT YOUR SPIRITUAL AND FINANCIAL NEEDS ARE. INSERT PICTURES OR GRAPHICS THAT WOULD MAKE YOUR LETTER LOOK MORE APPEALING. MANY PEOPLE THROW OUT “JUNK MAIL” WITHOUT THOROUGHLY READING IT. Fundraising 12

WHEN COMMUNICATING YOUR FINANCIAL NEEDS, INDICATE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY NEEDED BY THE TEAM. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU ARE NOT RAISING $2,000 BUT THE TEAM (LET’S SAY OF 10) IS RAISING $20,000. THIS WAY, IF ONE PERSON RAISES $1,000 AND ANOTHER PERSON RAISES $3,000, THE EXCESS $1,000 CAN ASSIST THE EXPENSES FOR THE OTHER TEAM MEMBER. KEEP IN MIND THAT NOT EVERYONE HAS THE SAME HUMAN RESOURCES AND POTENTIAL FOR RAISING FUNDS, BUT THE ENTIRE TEAM HAS THE CALL TO GO ON THE TRIP. ALWAYS WORK AS A TEAM! REMEMBER TO INCLUDE A DEADLINE FOR ANY DONATIONS. TELL THE POTENTIAL DONOR TO WHOM CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE. IF YOU ARE TRAVELING WITH A CHURCH, ASK YOUR PASTOR TO APPOINT A TRUSTEE TO HANDLE THE TEAM’S DONATIONS. I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY INNER-CITY CHURCHES DO NOT HAVE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE WITH MANAGING FUNDS FOR MISSION TEAMS. THEREFORE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE ON ONE ACCORD WITH YOUR PASTOR, TRUSTEES AND/OR MISSION BOARD SO THAT FINANCES ARE HANDLED IN A GODLY AND LEGAL MANNER FOR THE TEAM. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND INDIVIDUALS NOT HANDLING THEIR OWN DONATIONS. THERE ARE TWO REASONS FOR THIS. FIRST, IT KEEPS THE INDIVIDUAL HONEST AND ACCOUNTABLE. SECOND, IT IS THE LEGAL WAY FOR HANDLING TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS.4 AN INDIVIDUAL CANNOT RECEIVE MONEY FOR A MISSIONS/EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVOR AND HAVE THE DONATION BE CONSIDERED A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE GIFT. THE DONATION MUST BE MADE TO ORGANIZATION OR CAUSE. THAT ORGANIZATION CAN THEN PAY THE EXPENSES FOR THE MISSION TO WHICH THE TEAM HAS BEEN CALLED. THE APPROPRIATE PERSON AT YOUR CHURCH CAN THEN ISSUE A RECEIPT TO THOSE WHO WANT/NEED IT FOR INCOME TAX PURPOSES. AN INDIVIDUAL CANNOT ISSUE A RECEIPT FOR TAX PURPOSES. THIS

4 I am not an expert on tax law. The information shared above is based on things learned over many years of involvement in fundraising for missions teams. You should verify the information with a tax attorney. Fundraising 13

DESIGNATED TRUSTEE WILL ALSO REGULARLY INFORM TEAM MEMBERS REGARDING THE NAMES AND AMOUNTS OF THE DONATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. ALSO, DETERMINE WITH YOUR CHURCH PRIOR TO BEGINNING FUNDRAISING, HOW ANY EXCESS FUNDS WILL BE SPENT. SEE BELOW A SAMPLE SUPPORT LETTER. CONSIDER ENCLOSING AN ADDRESSED ENVELOPE TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR DONORS TO SEND FINANCIAL GIFTS. Fundraising 14

SAMPLE SUPPORT LETTER January 1, 2000

Dear ______,

Greetings! How have you been since the last time we talked? I hope that all is well with you.

Things have been going quite well with me. I have been really busy with school work at ______and ministry at ______.

Here’s some exciting news! Last month I was chosen to be part of a team from So & So Community Church traveling to Limon, Costa Rica with Build a Bridge International. While in Costa Rica our team will be ______. Lord wiling, we will be leaving on ______and returning on ______.

In order for me to serve with our team, your prayer and/or financial support is needed. Please pray that in all circumstances during my trip I may do God’s will and allow Him to use me to His glory. The total cost for this endeavor is $______. This covers our ______. The money is due by ______. Will you consider supporting this work through prayer and/or a financial donation? Any amount of money would be greatly appreciated.

Please, make your check payable to So & So Community Church. On memo line, please indicate Costa Rica trip—not my name. My name is indicated on the tear off portion of this letter. Thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

Jane Doe & The So & So Communtiy Church Team ------Mail your support with this tear off form to: So & So Community Church, c/o Trustee John Doe, 222 Bible Drive,

Philadelphia, PA, 77777.

Name of team member who requested support: ______

Check one: Fundraising 15

I will be a prayer supporter: ______

I will be a financial supporter: ______

Amount enclosed: ______

Donor’s name and address: ______

______

Keep track of the names of people to whom you have mailed support letters. The follow page contains a form you may reproduce for maintaining accurate records. If you do not receive a response from potential supporters within two weeks, follow-up with a phone call or visit. Many times people want to support you but they have misplaced the letter or simply forgot to do so. Do not be afraid to talk to people about your project. If you have made requests to businesses, corporations, or civic organizations be sure to make an appointment to speak with an appropriate representative. In your conversations with individuals or organizations, ask them to give you referrals to others you might be interested in supporting your endeavor. Last, send thank you cards to everyone who provides prayer or financial support. These notes should be handwritten and they should be mailed within one week of receiving the donation. When you return from the trip, send them another thank you perhaps in the form of a newsletter and inform them of how their support enabled your team to accomplish its goals. People want to know that their donations were used for the purposes for which they were given. Fundraising 16

MY SUPPORT RECORD Use this chart to keep accurate records of your prayer and financial support.

Name, address, Letter Follow- Type/Amount Thank You Return Other Phone # sent up Call of Support Sent Follow-up (date) or Visit (date) Made (date) (date) Fundraising 17

There are a number of fundraising events that team members can participate in together. (Keep in mind, however, that most of your donations will come from individual solicited donations). Some churches, much like my own, do not permit some types of fundraising to occur either in or in the name of the church. Team members should meet with the pastor and other appropriate church leaders to discuss this issue. No fundraising efforts should occur in your church or in the name of your church without the approval of those who are in authority over you (Hebrews 13:17). The following are some team fundraising efforts I have known to be successful in and outside of churches.

As you review them, think and pray about the appropriate context in which they could be done (e.g. church, school, community center). As a team, meet together and brainstorm your own list of ideas. After you have agreed on the efforts you’d like to work on together, determine a schedule of the events. Communicate them to pastor particularly if they involve your church family. Your schedule may look like this.

January—mail support letters; all team members to 30 people each

February—ask church as a whole to collect an offering on Sunday morning

March—sell dinners at a team members home (have a theme—e.g. soul food)

April—sponsor a church event and request an offering for the team

May—sponsor a Christian Coffee House at the church asking for $5 donations or free will offering

Here are some fundraising ideas. Remember, at every event, inform people of what they are supporting by participating.

1. Sell candy. 2. Sell dinners. (Ask people to donate food items for it). Fundraising 18

3. Roller skating party at local rink. They have Christian skate nights. 4. Ice skating party. 5. Bowling party. 6. Community Car Wash. Advertise one week in advance. 7. Coffee House. Serve coffee and light snacks. Ask people to come and share their performing arts gifts such as singing, reciting poetry, drama, miming. Give a suggested donation such as $5. 8. Bible-verse-a-thon. Like a running marathon. People enter and agree to memorize numerous verses/passages of Scripture. They ask people in advance to pledge to donate a certain amount of money for every verse the individual is able to correctly recite on the designated day. A spiritually uplifting event. Serve refreshments afterwards. 9. Fast food drive. Make arrangement with local fast food chain such as McDonald’s to work in their store for a period of hours. A percentage of all sales during that time would be donated to your cause. The key is making sure all of your family and friends get fast food at that restaurant that night. 10. Sell candy-grams for Valentine’s Day. (or carnations) 11. Singing telegrams. 12. Donation jars. Arrange with local supermarkets and other stores to put donation jars at the registers. 13. Spaghetti dinner or Fish fry night. 14. Bake sale. 15. Concession stands. Sell snack items at community football, basketball, or baseball games. 16. At Home Tea. Invite people to have an at home tea. Purchase tea bags (regular and flavored). Create (on computer) an invitation for the individual to stay at home and enjoy a cup of tea with a friend. Request a $2 donation. Explain on the back of the invitation card what the money will support. Put invitation cards in an invitation size envelope. 17. Free-will offering events such as Concerts. Fundraising 19

18. Ministry group sponsors. Ask various ministries in and outside of your church to support you through a direct gift or by sponsoring a fundraising event and donating the proceeds to your group. Maybe the Youth Group or a Choir or Children’s Church or Usher Board might want to sponsor a project on your behalf. 19. Build-Your-Own-Sundae Party. 20. Buy a Mile. Make a chart/picture showing how many miles from home to your trip destination. Ask people to buy a mile (or two). They can contribute any amount of money for any amount of miles. As more money is given indicate that on your chart. A good on-going project. 21. Sell t-shirts (that people would want to have). Consider getting permission to sell t- shirts with your church’s name on it. 22. Housekeeper/Groundskeeper for a day. In groups of two, do chores in the homes of people you know for a donation. You can also do work outside of someone’s home such as landscaping. 23. Shovel snow in the community for a fee.

As a team list 5-10 additional ideas of your own and then determine your fundraising schedule.

“Lord, give me something to stand on.” As you continue in this process of raising support, do not become discouraged if at times responses do not seem to coming as quickly as you hoped. Trust the Lord and do what you have committed to do. Find some promises from God’s Word, now, to encourage you in your efforts. Below is one of my favorites. I pray that it will be a blessing to you. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bred, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:7-11 Fundraising 20

WORKS CITED

Flanagan, Joan. Successful Fundraising: A Complete Handbook for Volunteers and Professionals (2 nd Edition). Lincolnwood, IL: Contemporary Books, 2000.

The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Corporation, 1985.