Support of Friends and Family
Once Interns/Students have committed to attend Elim and received their acceptance letter, they need to immediately start raising the funds. Interns/Students should tell as many people as possible their plans to attend Elim, and how individuals can partner by financially supporting them each month. We suggest that all Interns/Students give their friends and family the opportunity to make this eternal investment. It is recommended that Interns/Students send out a support letter, similar to the one included in this packet, to as many people as they know - friends, family, church members, co-workers, etc. They may give “X” amount each month, or a onetime donation. Interns/Students should track letters well. Two weeks after the letters have been sent out, call them over the phone. Check to see if they received the letter, if they have any questions, share progress and ask if they have prayerfully considered support. Interns/Students should keep a good track of who is planning on supporting them and the money given. Be sure to write thank you letters as donations are received. All support letters sent out for Elim must be approved by Elim staff beforehand. The letter should be emailed to elimcc.org. Once the letter has been proofed, Interns/Students may request the number of letters they will send out to be printed on official letterhead. All the Interns/Students need to do is submit the names of potential sponsors, so the letters may be personalized. Once the letters have been printed Interns/Students will pick them up from the Elim office to address them and send them out.
Fundraising ideas
Interns/Students should do more than just send out support letters. We recommend dividing up the tuition amount by the number of weeks you have before August 5. Each week plan a fundraiser to raise the amount you need that week. Then as support monies come in they can go towards your tuition, first, and the monies raised through personal fundraisers may be used towards your personal finances.
1. Envelope Fundraiser
Distribute 50 envelopes individually numbered 1 to 50 and ask that participants fill the envelope with the amount of money written on the outside. Give them two to five weeks to fill up their envelope, depending on how much time you have. Keep up with who took what envelope and follow up with them. If all 50 people give the amount requested, it will add up to $1, 275. You might include your address on the envelope so that they can mail you a check. Amount expected: $1275
2. Car Wash
Get permission to use a parking lot to have a car wash. Have some of your friends help you at the car wash. Make posters advertising your car wash and the price. You might also want to pre-sale car wash tickets or do a door to door car wash. Amount expected: $100-400
3. Bless your neighbors
This is a creative way to help individuals bless their neighbors. Bake a dozen cookies or make some sort of a gift basket. Ask people you know if they want to purchase gift baskets to be delivered to their neighbors- you make the baskets and do all the work and they pay a set fee per basket. This can be a great ministry opportunity for individuals to bless their neighbors and for you to raise funds.
4. Get a Job
Get a summer job and save up all summer.
5. Have a __________ a-thon
For example, have a: bike-a-thon, pump iron-a-thon, skate-a-thon, walk-a-thon, prayer-a-thon, etc. Get sponsors to pledge for every mile you walk, skate, ride - you get the point. Set a goal and let the sponsor know beforehand so they have an idea of how much they will have to pay.
6. Dirt Buster Days
Clean people’s homes, garages and yards for a set fee. You might break it down to $20 per yard and $25 per house. Tell them this is the bottom of the scale and it might be more depending on how big the job is.
7. Matching Funds
Make your sponsor’s money go further by presenting a “matching funds” opportunity. Find people of businesses to sponsor you and match every dollar you raise up to a certain amount ($100, $500, $1,000, etc.). Have your sponsors talk to their company or corporation about employee matching funds programs. Amount expected: $700-$1,000
8. Make and Sell
Make and sell things like Bible or book covers, woodwork, printed note pads, dolls, stuffed animals, jewelry, etc. Make a sample to show people and then take orders. Make them as soon as you get the orders, if at all possible, in case the customer is using it as a gift. This is a good fundraiser around Christmas or you can take them to a bizarre or big event in the community. Amount expected: $25-$100
9. Doggy Dip
Most pet owners hate to wash their pets, so have a doggy dip. Offer to give people’s pets a bath for a set fee.
Amount expected: $100-$200
10. Babysit
Offer one night (or several nights) for parents to let you watch their kids (ideal in December). This is a great chance for parents to do some Christmas shopping or for parents just to get out for a while. Let the parents know ahead of time how much you will be charging per hour for each child. Or, take a free-will donation.
11. Business Eco-bucks
Talk to several businesses about saving their aluminum cans, plastic bottles, etc. and donating them to our cause. Set a recycling box somewhere in the business and plan to empty the box and deliver the contents to the appropriate recycling center on a regular basis. Amount expected: $25-$100
12. Support Party
A support party is a great way to inform those in your area about your plans for the future. The best place to hold this party is in your home.
1. Invite people who have supported you in the past, prayed for you or have taken an interest in your life to a support party.
2. Serve coffee or punch and cookies.
3. Offer some type of entertainment or theme.
4. Share with them how much they mean to you, possibly the support they have given you on past missions trips. Share with them your involvement as an Elim participant and ask them to prayerfully consider sponsoring you.
5. Provide them with 3x5 cards that have a place for them to check if they will support you monthly, give a one-time gift, pray for you or would like to receive a support letter monthly.
6. Place a basket on the table or near the door and tell them that they can mail you the gift or give you the gift that night.
13. Sponsors
Gather 20 people to sponsor you with ____________. It will cover the cost of the full-time Interns/Studentship with a little left over for personal expenses. Amount expected: ________________.
14. “Stuff Donations”
Instead of asking for money, ask your church and/or friends and family to donate supplies for your Interns/Studentship. Make up a list of items needed for your Interns/Studentship year and let people know.
15. Garage Sale
Announce to your friends and family that you’re doing a garage sale and ask them to donate items. You can also go around to local garage sales and ask them to donate what is left when their sale ends. Then, put on your own garage sale! Amount expected: $500-$1000