Creating Something from Nothing: Bagged Lunch and a Drop of Oil, Multiplying Resources for Urban Ministry, VII
Creative Brainstorming
So where’s the cold hard cash going to come from? With the lights turned on, the horizon cast, evaluation methodologies in place, and assets mapped, it’s time to rearrange the resources to create sustainable environments. Sometimes, good old fashioned brainstorming is the best way to see how the pieces fit together and to empower your youth to help generate resources from within (along with those solicited from without). Here are some ideas to get you started.
+ Fundraising Ideas:
1) Letter Writing Campaign
A tried and proven method for taking students on service-learning trips and other discrete projects: mail letters to family, parents’ co-workers, friends’ parents and other adults who have played a significant role in the students’ lives. Be prepared to help write the letter for the students and help them brainstorm those names. You should help in this way and then set a deadline for all of the letters to be mailed out. Put a response card and a pre-addressed return envelope in with the letter to make it easier for the people to follow their good intentions.
2) Yard Sale
Besides raising funds, yard/street/basement sales also build community within your group. Solicit donations from youth, their families, community and church members, etc, with sale proceeds going directly to “camp scholarships,” etc. Over the next few weeks, pick up items or get them dropped off to sale location, which may or may not be the same location as the ministry or youth agency.
3) Sports Tickets
Most athletic teams have a fundraising program to help local youth organizations. Call your local sports teams and ask for the person who handles group sales/fundraisers. They will send you a packet explaining the details; complete the paperwork and you’re on your way. The team will sell you tickets for a discounted price; the markup you charge the community you get to keep for your program. An added benefit: time to get to know members and new recruits and their families.
4) Bake/Tamale/Candy/Pasteles Sale
Food sale are great ongoing fundraisers during holidays or community events, where families and neighbors donate the food and proceeds benefit your project.
5) Rent-a-Kid
Students help earn money for the project by signing up to be “rented” to the community. They identify their skills (ie. gardening, cleaning houses, babysitting, painting, etc.) and the days they are available. Match available kids with congregation members who request help with specific projects, and the rest is history.
6) Local restaurant discount cards
Many restaurants (including national chains and local establishments) allow you to sell discount cards, at significant margins. Examples include: Krispy Kreme, Carl’s Jr’s, El Pollo Loco, and Dominos.
7) Car Wash
Even classics can be improved upon. Upgrade the annual car wash by pre-selling tickets to family and friends weeks before the actual fundraiser. This way you are assured on making money rain or shine, and even if people forget to show up.
8) Spaghetti / Rice & Beans / BBQ Feed
Enlist parents to prepare food that you can sell after church: $5 per person is a no-brainer and a fool-proof way to make a quick buck. The key is to get as much of the food donated as possible, so that all proceeds go towards your project.
9) Community Discount Books
Create and sell community discount cards to the congregation and neighborhood. Recruit local businesses to participate by casting vision for your project. Each business can decide on an appropriate discount, such as a free soda with the purchase of a meal, 10% off any purchase, or whatever else is appropriate. Design, print, and laminate the cards or books with all of the businesses and your organization’s name. Sell them for $5 – $10.
+ Conclusion
Youth leaders are called to bring life and light to their students’ environments that are all too often dark, formless and empty.
Yes, we are under-resourced, but let’s be creative about identifying the resources (beyond just money) that are “hovering in our midst”.
Our leadership starts with… the words we speak with authority, and then the actions we take.
Aligning our words and actions with His Spirit, allows room for God’s provision and the multiplication of resources for sustainable growth and effectiveness. As you return to your ministry, apply God’s Creativity Model to your context. Don’t always think you only need to look for cash resources. Allow provision to come in whatever form it takes.
“Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven.”
This is the last article in a 7-part series based on the curriculum Jeremy Del Rio wrote for last year’s Urban Youth Workers Institute Reload training events: “Bagged Lunch and a Drop of Oil: Multiplying Re$ource$ for Urban Ministry”.
Click here to purchase the workshop CD from the UYWI Store. You can download the powerpoint slides for free (PDF), along with the teaching notes (PDF).
