From raising your own money to getting the whole team involved and increasing your reach, fundraising is an essential part of any successful mission trip. Whether you’re leading a small group or going on a large-scale trip, organizing a fundraiser can be challenging. However, with the right preparation and approach, you can raise funds with ease while also strengthening your team as individuals and as a group. Fundraising for a mission trip may seem like an intimidating challenge, but it doesn’t have to be! Read on to learn more about the key elements of fundraising for an effective trip.
Know you’re why
Before you even start planning your fundraiser, you should have a clear idea of the “why” behind the event. When you know your “why,” it is a lot easier to find your “how.” If you don’t know the purpose of your fundraiser or what the money is going towards, it can make it difficult to figure out the best ways to fundraise. When planning your fundraiser, first ask yourself why you are holding one in the first place. What will the funds go towards? What impact do you want to make with your event?
Set fundraising goals
Before you start anything, you must first decide on your fundraising goals. A good rule of thumb is to shoot for at least 10% of the total trip cost per person. The amount you should raise depends on a few different factors, including the size of your group, the length of your trip, and the kind of trip you’re on. This is a good rule of thumb for large groups or longer trips. Smaller groups or shorter trips can often get by with less. You should also factor in any fundraising you might be doing outside of your main event. You’ll want to raise as much money as possible for your trip, so having multiple events is always a good idea.
Plan your events
Now that you know how much money you need to fundraise, it’s time to figure out how you’re going to do it. This is the fun part! Once you’ve decided on the type of fundraiser you want to hold, it’s time to get planning! – Silent auctions – Silent auctions are a great way to raise some serious money for your trip. One of the best things about silent auctions is that you can incorporate practically anything into them. Whether you’re holding it at a church or your school, a silent auction can be done practically anywhere. Make sure to collect the items for your auction ahead of time to make the event run smoothly. – Events – Events are a great way to fundraise. Whether you’re hosting a volleyball tournament or putting together some other type of event, events are a great way to raise money and engage your community. The type of event you choose will depend on your group and your location. – GoFundMe – If you’re planning a trip with a larger group, you might want to consider setting up a GoFundMe page. A GoFundMe can be a great way to get people involved who might not be able to attend your in-person fundraisers.
Recruit sponsors
While you’re planning your events, don’t forget to look for sponsorship opportunities. Some companies or organizations might be willing to sponsor your fundraiser. Sponsoring your event is a great way for companies to get their name out, while also giving back to the community. If you have a specific idea, make sure to talk to your potential sponsor about it, as well as how much money you would need. If you don’t have a specific idea for a company to sponsor, you might want to consider asking for in-kind donations instead. Corporate organizations like Rotary International, Lions Clubs, and Kiwanis International will often help fund mission trips with in-kind donations like airline tickets, hotel rooms, and meals.
Ask for cash instead of goods
While you’re looking for sponsors, don’t forget to ask for cash donations as well. Some people may want to give you a good or service instead of cash. While this is kind, you’ll want to avoid accepting these things unless they’re necessary for your trip. You’ll want to keep fundraising events as accessible as possible, and accepting goods will make it harder to do so. If you do accept goods, make sure to set a deadline for when you need to receive them. This will help you avoid the awkward moment when you have to tell a generous donor that you don’t need the thing they gave you.
Don’t forget to celebrate!
Even though fundraising can be stressful and challenging, it can also be a lot of fun. To make the process easier, celebrate your fundraising milestones along the way. Celebrate your first $1,000 raised, your first $10,000 raised, and every other milestone along the way. Celebrating your fundraising milestones can help keep you motivated throughout the process. No matter how little or how much money you’re raising, celebrate each milestone along the way to keep your spirits high. And don’t forget to celebrate your fundraising successes once the event is over. You’ve just raised thousands of dollars for a great cause. Celebrate your success and enjoy the feeling of knowing you’ve accomplished something great!
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