My last message discussed a method to raise funds yourself using the mail and the internet.  A variation on that would be to utilize your network of friends on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and other social media sources. Raising funds that way works for political candidates, why can’t it work for you?

You can also work with the rest of your Vacation Bible School (VBS)  team to generate interest in fund-raising by the congregation.  In this area of funding, one must be cautious and avoid being in competition for monies that benefit other activities in your church.

One way to avoid this pitfall is to get approval for all fundraising plans to the missions committee or appropriate church officials.

Here are some, but by no means all, fundraising ideas:

• Have a car wash.  Members of the congregation drop off the car as they come to church, make a donation, and pick up the clean car after church.

• Have a Walk-A-Thon.  VBS team members get people (sponsors) to donate a certain amount of money per lap (swimming, running, walking, or other measurable action) that the team member performs.  There is no limit to how many sponsors a member can sign up.   (This type activity can also be based on the amount of time spent doing a specific activity.)

• Sponsor a food booth at a community fair. The Sonoma church operated a “hamburger” booth a holiday celebration – parade and other festivities. Some booths sold hot dogs, shaved ice, cotton candy, ice cream sandwiches, tacos – just imagine what might work in your town.
• Sponsor a special event like an “Independence Day” or “City Volunteer Appreciation Day”  dinner, party, etc.

• Post or publicize a list of needed items for the mission and ask people to donate funds to purchase specific items.

• Hold a Raffle.  Get a sponsor (person, organization or business) to donate valuable prizes.  Have 3rd, 2nd and Grand prize winners.
• Sell tickets to a 50-50 drawing.  Winner gets 50% of the proceeds.

• Promotional dinner about the mission activity.  The Sonoma church served a Romanian food dinner to promote interest and donations for the upcoming mission.

•  Have a non-event.  People donate rather than attend an event that is not going to happen.

This list can be endless.  If your church used other ways to successfully raise funds, please respond so that your idea can be added to the list.

Some members of the congregation may prefer to be “prayer warriors’ and support with prayer and a personal donation.  Sometimes these can be sizable amounts

If your church does not have ready a budgeted amount for “missions,” encourage the leaders of the church to establish one.  This amount would be apportioned among all mission activities, but even a little bit of something is better than nothing at all.

Use the internet.  Search “raising money, online funding, internet funding,” and similar topics for ideas to raise money.

Funds raised under the auspices of a missions committee can be utilized to underwrite some of the costs of the mission, and also to reduce the cost for the participants. Of course, the amount that can be raised depends on the size of the church,   and how well the mission activity has “been sold” to the congregation and the community. Some communities offer more fundraising opportunities than others.  Be creative.

Talk to other organizations about how they raise funds. Try to learn what works, what doesn’t work, and the pitfalls to avoid.

To paraphrase an old Chinese proverb, “the journey to raise mission funds starts with the first step.”

Take that first step, then another, and another.  The more steps you take, the easier it becomes, and the closer you will get to your fundraising goals.

The same concept applies to the continuity of the program.  If it works for you this year, do it again next year.  The second year is not as stressful.  People are familiar with the mission and are more willing to donate to a cause with which they are familiar

 

Next week:  Way That We Give