WORLD WIDE VILLAGE

Mission Team Fundraising Guide

Common sense ideas for making your mission trip a reality

Copyright 2012, World Wide Village, LLC 616 Sims Avenue St. Paul, MN 55130 651-777-6908 www.worldwidevillage.org

Inviting others to support you makes the trip more meaningful for everyone

A Call to Mission
How do you walk a hundred miles? One step at a time. How do you raise funds for your mission trip? One dollar at a time. Many volunteers view fundraising with dread. They think its going to be hard, or embarrassing, or that people wont support them. The truth is, fundraising is a crucial part of the spiritual growth that comes with undertaking a mission trip for both the traveler, as well as for those supporting them. While asking for funds to support your trip does take commitment, youll discover that many people want to be part of your journey.You are giving those who support you a gift. They may not be able to go themselves, but they want to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world and do Gods work, and through you, they can be. Do you hesitate when you know something is worth investing in? Is answering Gods call to service worth investing in? God knows who will support you. He has already called them, just as He has already called you. When you ask for their support, and their answer is no, you are not being rejected. Asking for support is not about being worthy, it is about providing others the opportunity to be part of something far greater than themselves. Inviting others to support you develops ambassadors for the poor and encourages them to develop the heart of God.

Dont hesitate when it comes to fundraising. Embrace it. Delight it in.

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Getting Started
Youve made the decision to go on a mission trip. Youve sent in your deposit and marked the dates on your calendar. Now the reality sets in -- youve got to pay for it! If youve got the money to pay for the whole trip already, good for you. But if youre like most people, youll need to do some fundraising to pay for your trip. Thats what this booklet is all about. In fact, even if you can pay for the whole trip without fundraising, we encourage you to do some fundraising anyway. Your invitation to others to support you through prayer, and financial donations, is actually a gift you give them -- dont deny them the opportunity to be a part of your journey. After all, God didnt just call you to mission, he called them, too. Get excited about your trip. If youre not excited, you wont be able to get your donors excited, too. Nothing is as infectious as excitement, nor as motivating. Most of the people you talk to will get excited and want to support you in your mission if they can see your excitement. Read through this booklet for ideas. If youre part of a team, share these ideas with them, and ask them to share their ideas. Then make your plan. Its time to get started!

A Mission Team Experience

A mission trip provides an opportunity for volunteers to come face-to-face with a people and a culture facing challenges far beyond what most Americans have ever faced. The mission experience is intended to foster encounters that educate, provoke compassion, and challenge individuals to put their faith into action. A mission trip is designed to connect the needs of the people living in the area the team travels to with much needed resources. The mission team experience builds relationships that help volunteers actively become the hands of feet of Christ on the ground and to see firsthand what God is doing in the world.

Fundraising Letters
Most mission team members use fundraising letters as their primary way of getting support. Here are some tips to make them more effective: 1. Determine an amount you can personally afford. 2. Make a list of at least 25 people you know family members, close friends, close family friends, co-workers. 3. Write a fundraising letter that is not longer than one page (or customize the one weve included in this booklet). The letter should include: Basic details (location, dates, etc.) Your purpose in going An ambassador of Christ See what God is doing in the world Your personal reasons 4. Ask for their nancial support, encouragement and prayer. 5. State your nancial resources & amount you are seeking to raise. 6. Ask for a specic dollar amount you would like them to contribute.

7. Include a return envelope and remittance card. Be sure you know how checks should be handled by your mission team hosts and correctly instruct your donors 8. Dont forget to check the organization website for how to make online donations. 9. Do a personal follow up call within two weeks after sending out your letter. 10. Follow up with thank you phone call upon receipt of a donation. 11. Follow up with a handwritten thank you as well. 12. Send a letter to your partners upon your return from Haiti. Include pictures Stories of transformation Your thanks *At World Wide Village funds raised in excess of the trip cost are considered a donation to WWVs efforts in Haiti. Look at the last page of this booklet for a sample fundraising letter to use for inspiration.

Other Fundraising Ideas

Like 3-year-old Hannahs lemonade stand above, sometimes you have to go an extra mile to raise the funds for your trip. Here are a few ideas that have been used successfully by individuals and teams: 1. Get a part-time job. 2. Put Coin Cans in public places like grocery stores, gas stations, or dry cleaners. Walmart has a reputation for being willing to support mission work. 3. Use social networking sites to raise awareness and funds. 4. Sell candy bars or other fund raising products. 5. Collect stu from aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, co-workers, etc., and hold a fundraising garage sale. (Dont forget the Coin Can here).

6. Hold a sponsored event get creative and imaginative try the old staples of running, walking, skipping or cycling try a sponsored silence, fast, chocolate or donut eating make up your own ideas. 7. Get family and friends to help you put on a Saturday car wash. 8. Have a family & friends barbecue potluck they bring the food and it doesnt cost you a dime. Put out the Coin Can at the barbecue Make a personal appeal to the whole group Or charge for the privilege of attending the party 9. Contact local businesses you would be amazed at how many businesses would be willing to help! 10. Get determined and save, save, save!! (Giving up a daily soda or cup of coee, or packing a bag lunch instead of a lunch out, and putting the money in your money jar, can quickly add up).

Fundraising Strategy & Planning

Sometimes you just have to plan things out and take a few extra steps to make sure things work the way you want them to. Thats especially true when it comes to any sort of fundraising. Some common sense, and a little planning will help you reach your fundraising goal. 1. Set a monthly goal. For example, if youve got six months to raise $900, set a goal of $150 per month every month and keep at it until you reach your goal. (Dont lowball). 2. Dont wait until the last minute to start fundraising. Start now! 3. Write down every pledge someone makes to you and never be afraid to remind them to fulll their pledge. 4. Be persistent and diligent in your efforts and follow up calls. 5. Never apologize for making an ask. 6. Put it in Gods hands and Pray! 7. Dont be surprised by your success.

Dont Be Intimidated -- Its Only Math FUNDRAISING MATHEMATICS

We know that the amount of money you need to raise to take a mission trip looks intimidating at rst. However if you break your fundraising task down to its parts, and do a little simple math, you begin to see that fund raising doesnt need to be intimidating. Take a deep breath, look at the numbers, and trust in God. Below is a sample of a breakdown for fundraising the cost of a Vision Team Trip with World Wide Village.

Scenario 1 Total Cost Minus Deposit Balance as of Today Minus 25 People @ Remaining Balance $10 $1050 -$100 $950 $250 $700 $25

Scenario 2 $1050 -$100 $950 $625 $325 $35

Scenario 3 $1050 -$100 $950 $875 $75

SAMPLE LETTER Jane Anderson 1234 Anywhere Address Anywhere, US November 10, 2012 Dear Jane, I am writing to let you know that I need your help as I step out in faith. I have an opportunity to join a team from my church on a mission trip to Haiti with World Wide Village. My team leaves March 26 and will return on April 2nd. The main goal of this team is to rebuild two homes destroyed by the earthquake. While we are in Haiti, we will be working alongside the Haitian people to assist in the construction of these homes for deserving mothers. We will also have the opportunity to work at local childrens homes, Christian schools, and local churches. I am excited about what God is going to do in my life and in other peoples lives through World Wide Village this winter. I do, however, need your help. We will be ying from Minneapolis to Miami and then on to Port au Prince. I need to raise a total of $1050 for the trip; $475 before December 26th and $475 before February 10th. If you can support me with a gift of $25 or more, I would be very grateful. If you would like to be part of my trip through your nancial support, send a check to World Wide Village, 616 Sims Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55130. Envelopes and remittance cards are enclosed for your convenience. Please make your check payable to World Wide Village. All contributions are tax deductible (Please do not write my name on the check, instead, write it on a slip of paper or a sticky note). You may also make a donation to my trip by visiting www.worldwidevillage.org and clicking on the Donate Now button on the website home page. And, most importantly, I also need your prayer support. Prayer is the fuel that will allow us to be successful as we follow Gods leading in Haiti. Without prayer, nothing will happen. Pray for our safe travels and that our team can make an impact for Him. Please be a part of this awesome opportunity, for I know that you too will be blessed. Your prayers and nancial support mean a lot to me and our team. In Christ,

Jot Dow n You r Fu ndra is i ng Ideas Here. . . Now!