The Future World Racers Field Guide to: Support Raising (Part 2)

a.       Threads of Hope (www.threadsofhope.com.ph) ��” These are really cool bracelets. It’s a ministry based out of the States/The Philippines where women and families make thread bracelets for this organization and it helps keep them out of human trafficking and helps to keep families fed. So half of the profits support those families and half the profits support your trip. The cool thing about this fundraiser is its SIMPLE and NO COST up front. You just e-mail Alex through the website and tell him you are with The World Race (this is important … it will get you the 50/50 profit split) and tell him how many bracelets you would like to have sent to you. He sends you the bracelets free and you just send back half the money as you go … whatever bracelets you don’t sell you just send back, easy as that. No questions asked. I would start with 800 ��” 1000 bracelets; it’s nice to have a selection. I would sell bracelets to friends and family, I would set up outside of local businesses, I would have friends and family help sell bracelets, I would take them with me to churches … They were like silly bands for the kids in Sunday School. Seriously, they sell themselves. I sold mine for $1 each but if I could do it again, I would probably sell them for $2 each, which is required now (they used to let you pick your price but now they have set prices). Once people buy a few they usually will want more.

b.      Yard Sales ��” these are good IF you have a lot of stuff to sell or have a lot of friends who can donate stuff. These are especially good if you are moving out of your house or have lots of furniture. I had lots of clothes to sell and books and movies … I earned a bit with donations from friends. The key thing for me with the yard sale was finding a good venue … I was blessed by the venue I was able to find, it really helped to not have the yard sale at my house in the middle of nowhere.

c.       Hot Dog Lunch/Spaghetti Dinner ��” I did a hot dog lunch which was really almost more money and time up front than what it was worth, but if done correctly (with donations) you can really get some support in and some information out about your trip. Plus this is a good place to sell your shirts and bracelets!

d.       Speaking Engagements ��” I spoke at quite a few churches where love offerings were taken up. This was a good way to get my name out there even when I didn’t get a lot of money from every church. I really enjoyed just sharing about my passion. (Side note: I had a friend help me to make a video promo for my trip ��” you can see it on my home page … and I shared this everywhere I went, it was a good visual.) It’s harder to get connected with pastors at churches you don’t attend, but I was able to get in touch with Women’s Missionary Union directors, and through them I was able to get these speaking things lined up.

4.       Blogs … I know you may think there isn’t that much to blog about before you leave, but there’s nothing more lame than telling people about your blog that has NOTHING on it. So write some blogs about the preparation process. Share about what you’re doing. Tell people about the money you need to raise and link them to your support account. Some people will be more likely to donate online if you give them a direct link “click hereâ€� (and have it hyperlinked) then if you just tell them to go to the Support Me tab. I know it seems redundant but the easier you make it for your supporters the better.

Well, I’m sure there is stuff I am forgetting … there is stuff you will learn along the way. I encourage you to keep in contact with your Squad through facebook/e-mail/phone as much as you can before training camp. You can bounce ideas off of each other and pray for each other when it comes to support. Also, if you have any specific questions feel free to comment or message me.

DO:

Pray in full confidence, believing that God has already provided

Send out support letters, lots of them!

Follow up with the people you send letters to, I know you hate asking for money, but it’s a Kingdom investment.

Talk about your trip with anyone and everyone whenever possible

Link your blog to everything and keep your supporters informed of what you still need

DO NOT:

Think because God will provide you can just sit back and do nothing

Put on fundraisers that cost more money and/or time than the support they bring in

Limit what God can do, step out in faith

Wait until just before the deadline to start figuring out a support raising plan

Think it will be easier to get money once you’re on the field, it’s really not

Finally, if you would like to read my stories of support raising, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the awesome you can find all my “Support Raising” blogs here!