To start off with, money should never be something that prevents a youth from participating in an event or trip that we do. We have scholarships available for most of our trips, so if money is a problem, please talk to Luke!
Stuff costs money. It’s a fact of life. Hopefully this page will help to alleviate the burden of the cost by helping you think creatively about earning the money that you need.
Working for the money that you need. I believe taking individual ownership of raising the money needed for a trip has several benefits: It keeps the youth focused on the trip, it connects them to the trip, it makes them take it more seriously, it prepares them for the trip (service projects), it builds and encourages community, it discourages entitlement, it frees up ministry time, and it promotes a good work ethic.
As a side note, a lot of trips receive funding from the youth ministry budget, which already comes from church members, so it is important that you understand that before asking for more.
Fundraising safety.
Always get your parents permission, be careful about doing things alone, and don’t do something dangerous. You need to clear your fundraising ideas through Luke before you start them. Don’t use the church’s name without permission.
Fundraising Ideas
- Ask friends and family
- Most people will tell you this is your most successful means of fundraising. Think of it as a mini-presentation, because people will be more likely to help you if they fully understand what it is you are doing. You’ll have the most success in person, but email, facebook, phone calls, and letters (sample letters at the bottom) work too.
- Sell coupon books, example
- Can recycling
- Make and sell calendars
- Coin collecting – Make some containers to give to people to put their change in for a certain amount of time
- Kiss-a-pig
- Place photos of Staff or volunteers on pig cut outs in lobby and take votes (each vote cost a dollar) the one who receives most votes kisses pig on a Sunday morning in front of congregation.
- Power minute
- Ask teacher for permission to hold a power min in class or in service and have people collect as much change as possible in 60 seconds.
- Adopt-a-youth
- Organize a program where people in the church can “adopt” you. You provide them with an adoption card, with details about you and what it is you are raising money for, and they can adopt you for a certain amount (you can have multiple adopters). After the event/trip, make sure to creatively share your experience with those who adopted you (invite them to a dinner, make them a DVD, etc…)
- Organize a golf tournament
- Silent auction
- Papa’s Pizza
- Holiday gifts (mother’s day flowers, wreaths, v-day roses etc…)
- Church meal, a special breakfast, lunch or dinner where you cook and serve the meal
- Car wash or bake sale @ Wal-mart – They’ll often match the money you bring in
- Sell refreshments at a community event
- Organize work projects for people in the church
- Parent’s night out
- Provide 3-5 hrs of child care in the church on a designated night and parents pay flat fee.
Other resournces:
How to write a donation letter and a sample
Center for Student Mission Fundraising Page
USA Fundraising – Church Ideas