Fundraising

Unfortunately, the FEAR of "not having enough money" is what most often prevents someone who should participate in a missions trip from doing so.  You must not let this FEAR deter you or members of your group who genuinely feel called to this experience.  We believe that a lack of money will never prevent someone from carrying out God's call, but each person must be willing to do his or her own part in this process.  Said another way, God has made the funds available to you, you simply need to find out the best process to use to gather those funds.  Use the following information, along with lots of prayer, to formulate your own strategy. 

Start with Your Church/Organization

The first thing you will want to do is contact your own church or organization.  Be prepared for them to be your best source of fundraising, and be prepared for them not to financially support you at all.  Most likely you will receive at least some support.  You will likely make a presentation to a committee.  Prepare for this thoroughly, and include the following:

1.  Provide information about Roatan (from the web site) and Honduras, emphasizing why the need is great.

2.  Describe the impact you believe this experience will have on those who participate

3.  Describe the indirect benefits you believe this will have on the church/organization

4.  Present the cost per participant.  Describe how the church/organization may help you:  Some will match what a participant raises up to 50% of the total cost.  Others will do a smaller percentage.  Some will allow you to do group fund raisers, while others will not.

5.  Ask them if they will allow participants to raise their own support using the organization's tax-exempt status.  In other words, donors send money to the organization.  Receipts are sent, records are kept for each individual, and the organization pays all of the bills out of this fund.  (You will need to check with an administrator/book keeper for more details on this process.)

6.  Ask them if they have any questions.  Answer the ones you know, and promptly get a response for those you do not.

7.  Ask them when they will have a decision so that you can continue to make plans. 

Asking Friends/Family/Other Churches and Organizations

If you need to raise $1500, your goal could be 5 donors @$100, 10 donors @$50, and 20 donors @$25.  That doesn't sound so difficult when you break it down like that, does it?  However, if you are hoping for 35 people to donate to you, you will need to send at least twice that many letters initially.  Do not say, "No," for people that you think won't be interested; allow them to make the decision.  You are going to be surprised in a lot of cases!

1.  Prepare a list of at least 70 names and addresses.  If you present what you are doing accurately, a lot of people will be interested in helping you to do this.  Don't forget family, friends, your church directory, teachers and coaches, civic leaders and clubs, your doctor, dentist, etc., owners of businesses your family uses, and any other ideas you may have.  Allow parents, youth workers, etc. to give you ideas and other names.

2.  Prepare and send your letter.  (Though not necessary, it is possible you may want two different letters for different groups of people.)  For ideas, see Tips for Letters,  Sample Letter #1, and Sample Letter #2.

3.  As gifts are received, send a handwritten thank you note to each donor.  Begin to contact those you have not heard from.  Do not ask, "Hey, man, where is my money?"  Simply ask if they received your letter and if they have any questions about what you are doing.  If you are bold enough, you can even ask if your trip is something they feel they may be able to support financially.  If they cannot, remain very gracious.

4.  Each donor will receive a report after the trip detailing your experience and the impact it had on your life.  This last contact is extremely important as the donor can now understand the significance of the donation.  If possible, you could invite each one to a presentation you or your group will make to your church or organization.   

Suggested Timetable

Five months prior to departure - letters mailed

Four months - begin follow ups, continue as necessary

Two months - all donations received

One month - all thank-you's mailed

Two weeks after return - all trip reports mailed

Options for Handling Your Donations

1.  Your Own Church/Organization (if tax-exempt)

If possible, you should raise your support through your local church/organization.  This means that all donations would be addressed to the church/organization and would be tax-deductible.  They will keep track of the amount raised by each participant, send receipts to donors, and pay all of the expenses out of this account.  You can also be reimbursed for trip related expenses (ex. passport) for which you have already paid.

2.  On your own

If you do not wish to go through an organization, you can raise the money on your own.  However, donors must write out checks to you personally, and they will not receive a tax-deduction for any amount given.  Please make sure donors understand this if you do it this manner.