Talking about money isn’t easy. Asking for money is even harder.
But you need funds for all the incredible events, mission experiences, and activities you have planned this year. Sure, it’s a little bit scary, but it doesn’t have to be!
With a little bit of planning, you can put your own spin on fundraising. Make it less about asking for money and more about creating experiences for people. Plus, you can use this time to build important relationships and connections for your ministry.
BEFORE YOU GET STARTED
First, you’ll want to be intentional about your fundraising strategy. Think about all the things your ministry needs and how to achieve them.
You can start by asking questions like…
- How much do you need to raise?
- How will the funds be used?
- How will you keep everyone in the loop on progress?
- How can you show appreciation for everyone involved?
Whether you’re raising money for a camp or trip or to build a new meeting space, these questions can help guide you as you set your goals.
Once you’ve locked in those details, it’s time to design your fundraiser! Start by holding a brainstorming session with your team, and don’t hold back. Sometimes, the wildest ideas can end up being the best fundraisers. Encourage them to think outside of the box by asking questions like…
- How can we put a twist on a popular fundraiser?
- What’s something unexpected we can give as a thank you?
- How can we make this fun for everyone?
- How can we get other ministries in the church involved?
Think of fundraising as a chance to share your vision for ministry with your entire church. It’s your moment to raise your visibility and create connection and engagement throughout your church as you work towards a common goal.
So, if you can, get your lead pastor involved. Have them talk about your fundraiser on stage, in emails or social media, and in other ways you communicate with your church. Their buy-in will go a long way toward helping you reach your goals.
Alright, that’s all of the logistics. Now, let’s talk about some fun, creative ideas for your next fundraiser.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Community events are a great time to get your whole church together. You can invite other ministries to work alongside you as you raise money for your ministry. You could try hosting a…
- Community carnival with fair-style games, raffles, and more.
- Family game night—arcade style! Use some different board games or video games and charge attendees for ticket vouchers for each game.
- Bingo night with players paying per card for the chance to win some small prizes.
- Bake sale with proceeds going towards your ministry fund.
RAFFLES
A little competition can make fundraising so much more fun. Partner with a few local businesses or buy a few inexpensive items to bundle together. Raffles are more fun when you give away prizes, so try raffling a…
- Spa package with some candles and a gift card for a spa treatment.
- Movie night with popcorn, candy, and a gift card for a streaming service.
- Date night with a gift card for a restaurant or movie and maybe a voucher for child care for families with kids
- Local experience with a gift card or voucher for a unique event or activity in your area.
HOLIDAY HELP
If you start your fundraising around the holiday season, you can invite your ministry to help prep for the holidays. You might try…
- Decorating the homes of people in your church. Just remember to schedule a time to help take the decorations down, too!
- Wrapping gifts during the Christmas season. You can set a price per item or by size.
- A holiday photo booth with a simple backdrop and a skilled photographer.
MINISTRY MERCH SALES
The most challenging part of making ministry merch is the upfront cost. With companies like Bonfire, you can design ministry merchandise without worrying about storing shirts or buying hundreds of products before you know how many you can sell. So, with a simple design, you can sell customized merchandise as a fundraiser for your ministry.
RESTAURANT PARTNERSHIPS
Some restaurants will let you partner with them for a percentage of all sales. These events don’t take a lot of effort and are a great idea for an extra fundraising boost. Because you only get a portion of the money made, we don’t recommend these to be the core of your fundraising strategy.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY OPTIONS
However you decide to approach fundraising, be sure to make an inclusive plan for every budget. If your donation barrier is too high, some people may not be able to contribute as they would like. Try creating a few budget-friendly options, like an envelope challenge.
Take a few envelopes and label them with different dollar amounts, from $1 up to $100. People can choose an envelope that matches their ability to donate and return it with that amount of money inside. If you can fill up all 100 envelopes, you’ll make $5050!
Really, there’s no “one right way” to fundraise. Try out a few different ideas and see what works best for your church and your community. What really matters is that you have fun with it!
If you need help planning one of these fundraisers, check out our complete event planning guides for kids and youth ministry!
Good luck with your fundraising!
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