• Friendraising Instructions
• Pre-Written Friendraising Letter (needs your address, and personal paragraph).
• Remittance Forms
• Friendraising Help Pages
• Developing Convictions on Biblical Fundraising
• Pointers for Presenting a Financial Need
• Support Raising Plans: Specific Steps
• Financial Appeal Action Plan
• Approaching a Church

Friend Raising vs. Fundraising

"Using the term 'friend raising' rather than 'fund raising' captures the essence of support raising. It broadens its meaning and promotes the richness in relationship God wants us to build." (Betty Barnett, Friend Raising: Building a Missionary Support Team That Lasts, Seattle, Wa.: YWAM Publishing, 1991. P. 21).

At Youth In Mission, we believe in friend raising. It is not only practical, (people would much rather be your friend than your wallet), but Biblical. The model of the New Testament Church flows around an intimate, caring community, where "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Each day they continued to meet together… they ate together with glad and sincere hearts…." (Acts 2:44-46). There was contact and communication happening. There was trust built, which fostered an atmosphere of generosity. There was sharing and sincerity. We believe the kingdom of God will be better served if we build relationships than if we use people.

In the fundraising process, focus your attention on sharing this adventure with people. Make it your commitment to make them a part of the process. Keep communication open, and invest in their relationship whether they give to your trip or not. Commit to caring for them as people, and praying for them.

Other Ideas

In addition to a letter, a face to face visit, or follow up phone call is appropriate. You may also be creative and have your own car wash, or approach your church to share. Youth In Mission participants will receive additional suggestions and ideas.

Your Friendraising Letter

Here are the steps to getting your friendraising letter going. You will receive a pre-made letter for you to use.

1. Organize your resources. You will need to set aside extra time to get this done. You will also need to start with some supplies, envelopes, stamps, and money to make copies. Secure some thank you cards for an appropriate and immediate response to those who give.

2. Add your own personal paragraph at the bottom of pre-made friendraising letter where space is provided. You may copy the letter as is, and hand write your personal paragraph on each letter, or you may re-type the letter, typing in your personal paragraph at the bottom. (Please do not make copies of your handwriting-it doesn't look as presentable. If you are going to add the personal touch of a hand written note, do it on each letter). DO NOT MAKE ANY OTHER CHANGES TO THIS LETTER WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE YOUTH IN MISSION OFFICE.

3. Important: Add you Name and address to the TOP of the letter. You may do this when you re-type it, hand write it, or use a return address label.

4. Mail one copy of your letter to the Youth In Mission Office, including the personal paragraph you have added. (Who knows? Maybe we'll send you something!)

5. Make a list of possible contacts who should receive your letter. (YIM participants who can follow the procedure for making a list of possible contacts on the sheet, "Support Raising Plans," found in the Friendraising packet.)

6. Address envelopes for each of the people from your list, and insert a copy of your letter and your Youth In Mission Project Statement (our provided sheet that desribes your site, much like the site list on our web site).

7. Pray that God would touch the hearts of those you contact, and mail them off!

Writing Your Personal Paragraph

The friendraising letter is designed to have all of the necessary information on it. Your personal paragraph is your chance to share your heart, in your own words. You could do it in a one sentence thank you, or a brief description of why you want to be a part of this trip. If you hand write this note, you might include the name of the person you are writing to: "Bill, thank you for letting me share this need with you." Put it in your own words, and share from your heart.

When You Receive Financial Gifts

Contributions will be sent directly to the General Treasurer - Church of the Nazarene. If the contribution is sent to you, you will fill out a remittance form (for each check) and send it to the General Treasurer - Church of the Nazarene. We would prefer that all contributions be sent directly to the General Treasurer in the postage paid envelopes we'll provide you in your Friendraising packet. (If you need more envelopes to include in your letters, please let us know).

You'll receive a weekly contribution statement to help you keep a record of the donor and the amount. You will want to send a thank you immediately (remember communication in our friend raising! This is a must.) Keeping track of your total will help you to know how close you are to your goal.

The Most Important Step

We have saved the most important step for last. Pray. Pray daily for God's assistance. His resources are abundant, his grace is sure. Trust in him.