The elephant in the room….. FUNDRAISING!
I am not kidding when I say that every single part of my being is shuddering right now. How awkward/uncomfortable/strange/annoying/fill in ANY other applicable word here/ is it to just straight up ask people for money?! I have been accepted to the World Race for a while now, and have made small moves for fundraising, easily dodging the point, and not saying or asking for anything outright– I have talked a little bit about some of the reasons why in some blogs. This mountain is too tall. I cannot do it. Why try? This isn’t God’s plan for me. Nobody will donate to me. This is LITERALLY impossible.
The other day, I wanted to bite the bullet and do it. Just write a blog about fundraising. I had genuinely planned to, and was starting to, but then “Aimless” came out instead. As I was writing, I started crying in a coffee shop, hoping and praying I would quickly become invisible. But of course, my friend comes up and says “Hey Al, what’s goin on?”
Classic God. A divine interruption.
I start crying harder, feeling both in awe at God’s impeccable timing, and also annoyed– because selfishly, what if I just wanted to sit there and be sad?!
My friend Juice and I skipped the “How have you been?” and got right to it.
I don’t want to ask people for money. I don’t even know where to begin. How do I even say it? What do I say? I feel guilty. I don’t see God anywhere in this. Nope. Can’t.
Juice asks for my bible, and quickly flips to Isaiah. She is on staff with a Christian organization at Miami called CRU, which is another reason she was a God-send. She just gets it– she gets Jesus and she gets raising support, and she just does.
Isaiah 42:16:
I will bring the blind by a way they do not know, I will lead them by paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. Those things I will do for them, and not forsake them.
DANG. WHAT A PROMISE.
We talked a lot about fundraising, but one thing in particular she said will stick with me throughout this process. She said, “You’re not asking people for money, you’re asking them to invest in this with you, to invest in you. You’re asking them to walk alongside you and partner with you. Do you believe in this investment? People are looking for ways to support and are wanting to be asked. We are all a part of the body of Christ, and right now, you are dependent on the body. The most important task is that every day, you choose to follow Jesus.”
I believe in this investment with my whole heart! I so badly want God’s eyes for you, too. Juice shared so much wisdom right at the moment I needed it, and I am so grateful.
WITH ALL THAT SAID– here is a straight and to-the-point rundown of the financials:
When are your financial deadlines?
$5,000 – Due 7/21/2017 (Fundraising Goal 1)
$10,000 – Due 9/22/2017 (Fundraising Goal 2)
$13,000 – Due 11/30/2017 (Fundraising Goal 3)
$17,617 – Due 1/31/2018 (Fundraising Goal 4)
Okay but what does that ACTUALLY go to?
The breakdown brings a ton of perspective! The total funds needed cover everything for my 11 months: food/meals, lodging, air/land/sea travel, administrative costs, and medical insurance. This does not include any personal spending money, traveling to/from training camp, traveling home after the race, or vaccinations. If you would like further break down, please let me know!
What are some practical ways I can support you?
Prayer! Genuinely, I believe so much in the power of prayer, and your prayers mean everything. Reach out to me and I would love to give you specific and intentional prayer requests!
Pass this along! If there is someone coming to mind as you are reading this that you think would like to know, please pass them my information! I would be so appreciative. I will send letters, speak at churches, have coffee, or call/email anybody if they are interested!
Give clarity! This process is HARD. Help keep my eyes fixed on God and His character, because it is super easy for me to become hardened and negative. Any encouragement is SO incredible to receive!
Support me financially! Simply put, I cannot go without the funds raised. There are several ways you can financially support me:
- Join my fundraisers! I am hosting several fundraisers, and they are a super fun and interactive way to support me. Buy a t-shirt, ask me for a change-for-change jar, or adopt-a-box! I am AMPED about these, and think they will be super sweet.
- Online with Credit/Debit Cards: Click the ‘Donate!’ tab at the top of this page. This can be one-time or monthly, for whatever amount you choose!
- Check by Mail: Payable to Adventures in Missions. Write ‘Allie Batcho’ in memo line. Send to P.O. Box 742570 Atlanta, GA 30374-2570. Only one check can go in each envelope!
- Dynapay: Donation withdrawn directly from bank account of your choice. This is only possible for monthly givers.
Go to Adventure’s Dynapay web address: https://www.adventures.org/dynapay
Write ‘Allie Batcho’ in person to support box on dynapay form.
ALL donations are tax-deductible!
**Adventures in missions is a tax-exempt organization under IRS code 501(c)(3) and is a member of the E.C.F.A. (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability). Due to IRS and E.C.F.A regulations governing the administration of tax deductible donations given in support of a particular trip/program, support contributions given on behalf of an individual will be used to offset the costs of the trip/program you are involved in. All contributions are non-refundable regardless of the participant’s success in completing the program**
Thanks for reading this far, again. Sorry all my blog posts are super long but you are a rock star! Truly!
