What Can We Do About Fundraising?

I get this question a lot when I am training others about events. The first thing is to look at what you ARE doing. Is it achieving your goals? IF it is you may not need to change your routine, maybe just change the team’s attitude or infuse a slightly different theme.

For example, if you have always done a spaghetti dinner; change or add something, just to give it a different feel, like:

• maybe try a different type of pasta

• offer multiple sauces

• add a pie auction

• add a cookie decorating contest

• if you don’t mind messes – an optional without hands eating contest.

NOTE: you will ALWAYS get complaints about any change you make… invite the complainer to make a suggestion for the next year, who knows, it might be the perfect suggestions …OR ask them to be part of the committee, maybe the person doesn’t realize how much work goes into the event!

Another thing to try is brainstorming ideas. Ask as many people as you can what kind of fundraiser could you try? The sky is the limit! God can use anyone to place HIS idea for you in your mind.

A major key to a different kind of fundraising is… Use all the different skills and training of the people in your church.

A great example: you have someone who makes jelly and your youth group is looking for a fundraiser – have your jelly maker teach the kids how to make it THEN let them experiment with different flavor additives … like sour apple, apple with cinnamon, mint apple, apple peach, etc. This is only restricted by the items readily available in your area. (PLUS, apple and grape jellies do not actually need the fruit – just the juice – so they can be made year round instead of just seasonally!)

Other options:

• If you have men who fix cars, have them do it and donate part of the money to missions.

• If you have ladies, who sew – or quilt or crochet, etc. – have them make items to be auctioned or sold for a specific purpose!

• If you have youth who are dependable, consider starting a landscaping or painting crew during the summer. Pay them minimum wage and/or put the earnings toward funding camp fees, or whatever you are raising money toward.

The objective in fund raising – is quite simply to raise money. The more different your fundraiser is from what everyone else is doing, the more money you will make. If everyone is selling different types of candy to raise money – find something else because people will eventually stop buying candy.

Fund raising can be simply finding a need and then filling the need. (I think that may be a quote from ROBOTS 😊? )

Another consideration should be your community. IF you have a quiet senior community nearby your church, inviting a loud rapper to play in the parking lot may NOT work well. However, offering to start an errand running business or a gift delivery service for the seniors MAY be exactly what your community needs.

Consider this thought from 1 Thessalonians 4:11b-12 :“You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”

I think this thought applies to fundraising. Work hard – maybe doing something different – something done with lots of love – and you will be self-sufficient.

The key to good fund raising seems to be letting the potential giver know what exactly will be done with the money.

• “We are raising money to help a local child with cancer.”

• “We are helping fund business opportunities in third world countries.”

• “… help low income kids go to camp”

• “…help 10 people go on a Mission Trip to help with hurricane relief.”

• “…purchasing a new drumset for church.”

• “…raise money for the food bank.”

• “… provide local teachers with school supplies.”

Be specific and if possible put a face to the fund raising (that means show a picture of the person, group or thing)… this helps get an emotional response and, generally, more people will participate or Donate!

A LAST NOTE: Fund raising can be done by any age group… not just the kids.

Have you ever done an “unusual” fundraiser? I’d love to hear about it! Comment below or send me an email! kari@seedspreadersministry.org

(I also look forward to any questions and suggestions for future blogs! )

Remember to keep God in all aspects of your event planning!! HE is the one in charge!

For More information on Fundraising and Event Planning - Purchase our book HERE- or check out more of my blogs!