Fundraising Guidlines

1. All checks are to be made out to the Concordia University St Paul
2. Student names should NOT be written anywhere on the checks
3. Checks should reference CMS student mission trip in memo line
4. Checks and all funds need to be dropped off with Melanie Vasterling in the OHSCO office for proper recording and receipting.
5. Letters and reply devices should reference supporting CMS, the mission, the outreach trop, ect. Donors are supporting CMS mission outreach trip, not a particular student or individual.
6. As supporters of Concordia Mission Society, all donors will receive updates and information from Oswald Hoffman School of Christian Outreach and Concordia University, St Paul unless otherwise instructed.
7. All money, including cash, need a name and address in order to be receipted as gifts. Funds without name and address information will be entered as gifts from anonymous donor.

Some things to think about:

1. Include a courtesy reply envelope with OHSCO's address and a stamp
2. Try to address letters to a person, and not just "Dear Friend."
3. Letters should talk about the people that you are going there to serve. This puts a name on the mission
4. Consider including a map of the area that you are going to serve
5. Send them a thank you letter immediately after recieving their support
6. Keep the people who have supported you updated and informed.
7. Send a letter to each person who supported you after you return updating them on what you did if possible. The photos can be pretty easy if you take some of the pictures that each person took and combine them into one photo page to include with every letter.
8. Remember, you are not just asking for their money; you are asking them to join you in God's amazing mission!

Greg Holz's Tips for Fundraising

Remember, there are always enough fundraising opportunities to fund even the most expensive of trips! People love to support missions! You will find enough money so long as you put in the legwork.

Church Presentations!

Go and visit churches! Congregations want to support you! They are eager to have you do a mission moment for them! So call up a few churches and ask if you can come and speak to them on behalf of the Concordia Mission Society and ask for their support! Be sure to explain to the pastor what you are doing and why you need their help!

You can also request to do a children's lesson which is mission focused and you can also request to speak to the adult Bible study. The more exposure you recieve the more willing people will be to support you.

Below is a list of things you should have that will enhance your presentation.

''Pictures''- Gather as many pictures as possible of your intended destination and mission project. This will help to immediately get your supporters involved and interested in your project. People love pictures! Like they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words!" So let the pictures talk for you!

''Posters''- Prepare posters! Small ones that can be passed around in a Bible class are great! Large ones to display! Display boards! All are great visual aids that get people's attention and get them interested in your mission opportunity.

''Objects''- Place a few books about your destination on a display table. People want to know about where you are going! If they get interested they will likely support you. Also try placing objects from your destination on the table!

''Flyers or Letters''- If you have prepared a fundraising letter or a flyer then tailor it to a church and print out 50 or so. If you can physically hand someone some literature they will be more interested in what you have to say. Also, many churches like to insert your flyer or letter into their bulletins!

Grants

Your friends, family, and churches are not the only people who want to support you. Do an internet search for charities and missions. Some people have memorial funds to support missions. LWML groups like to write grants to support young people in missions. Find some organizations and write a formal letter to them explaining your work, your need, and possibly the needs of others in your group. Not every organization will choose to support you, but some will be interested and will try to help you.

Check Out Thrivent

Thrivent Financial works with Lutheran churches and organizations to help with fundraising. More often than not you will be able to get Thrivent to match funds from a church or fundraiser. If you go to a church ask them if they can get Thrivent to match funds. If you do a grocery bagging or other fundraiser call your local Thrivent representative and ask them if Thrivent will match the funds that are raised.

Letters and Flyers

When you are asking people for support be sure to have something you can hand out or mail out to people. Below are examples of different types of letters and flyers that you can prepare for all purposes. The examples below should not be copied verbatim, you need to personalize your presentation materials and make the presentation your own.

• __Letters__

Example Letter (Word)

If you are going to include an informative flyer in your mailing then keep your letter to 1 or 2 short paragraphs and refer the reader to your flyer.

• __Flyers__

Singlefold Flyer

Flyer Example 1 (Word)

Flyer Example 2 (Word)

Flyer Example 2 (PDF)

Print the the flyer on one sheet of paper both front and back. This provides you with space for a title page, introduction, information about your work, information about how to support you, and information about where you are going.

Doublefold Flyer

Flyer Example 3 (Word)

Flyer Example 3 (PDF)

A doublefold flyer is easier to mail and provides more pages for information. However, print will tend to be smaller and and pictures cannot be as large.

Whenever preparing information try to include picture and information about your financial needs. If people recognize there is a large need then they are more likely to give. Be sure to tell churches that you have flyers when you contact them. Often they will offer to print the copies for you and if you have a sound presentation prepared they will be more likely to invite you to come and present to them.

Always keep the need for prayer as a key focus of your letters and flyers! Also try to pick a verse from scripture as a theme for the mission trip. Remember, God is the center of the mission!