How to Start a Quilt Ministry
Quilt ministries are a wonderful way to reach out and touch the lives of others. Whether someone is struggling to make ends meet, going through a tough illness or living on the streets, quilts made in love provide warmth for both the soul and the body. Quilt ministries are designed to help the hurting heal—at no cost to those doing the hurting. Depending on your faith, a quilt made in your ministry can include religious symbols or specific colors or prayers. Starting a quilt ministry is not something that should be taken lightly. Quilt-making is a long and sometimes tiresome process; therefore, it requires strength of character and dedication. Before starting a quilt ministry, make sure you’re up for the challenge.
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Things You'll Need
- Sewing machines
- Thread
- Fabric
- Embellishments
- Sewing needles
- Storage bins
- Packaging materials
- Postage
- Envelopes
- Cash box
Instructions
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Select a cause. Every quilting ministry starts with one. The cause you choose should be something that hits close to home: cancer patients, homeless shelters, abuse victims, unwed mothers, veterans of the war or struggling families. Choosing a cause you can identify with will help you during the difficult times and remind you just how important your ministry is.
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Select a ministry name. The name of your ministry should reflect your beliefs, your reason for starting the ministry and the cause you’re supporting. It’s something that should not be taken lightly, because it’s a name others will identify with. It’s a name that will stand up for something important. It’s a name that will fight for an injustice and work toward providing hope and healing.
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File for nonprofit status. In the beginning, you may not need such status—especially if your ministry is an outreach of your church. But as your ministry grows, your need for filing will grow with it. Filing for nonprofit status not only protects your ministry, but protects you and your volunteers from liabilities associated with the ministry.
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Recruit volunteer members. The best recruitment method is to post fliers in local quilting shops, craft stores and churches. You can also request ad spots on local Christian radio shows.
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Create ministry bylaws. Your bylaws should spell out exactly what the ministry’s purpose is, and what role each member of the ministry will play. Your bylaws should also tell members what they cannot do under the ministry’s name.
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Create a ministry website. This is a low-cost way to educate possible investors and volunteers, to keep members up to date on ministry happenings, and to share success stories from quilt makers and receivers.
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Include a donation page. Thanks to companies like PayPal, nonprofits can include a donation button on their websites without having to pay for a merchant account. Your donation page should include information about how the money will be used--including administration, supplies, distribution and/or legal fees--and whether or not the donation is tax-deductible.
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Create a ministry workstation. The great thing about quilting is that you can do it just about anywhere; especially if you’re hand-quilting. However, if you use sewing machines, you’ll need a regular workstation, complete with the machines, material racks and storage units.
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Collect supply donations. Every quilting ministry needs supplies like sewing needles, threads, fabric, embellishments, papers, pens, storage bins, tables and chairs. You’ll also need administration supplies, including paper, envelopes, pens, stamps, packaging materials and a computer. While volunteers can help supply these needs, it never hurts to ask for donations. Contact local designers and request their scrap materials. Reach out to quilt shops and ask to place a flier in their window or on the bulletin board asking for scrap fabric. Visit local offices for donations of office materials.
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Work the ministry. In the beginning, you won’t need to spend every day working the ministry; just one day a week should suffice. Use this time to segregate the volunteers into groups: administration, packaging and quilting. As the ministry grows, you’ll need to divvy up the responsibilities on a more permanent basis and designate days for each department.
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Deliver the quilts. This is the best part of the ministry. Have someone in the ministry deliver quilts directly to locals, and mail quilts to distant recipients.
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Tips & Warnings
It’s important for volunteers to feel that they’re doing something important, so don’t stick someone with office duties if she has clearly stated that she wants nothing to do with office work.
There is nothing like seeing the joy and appreciation on the faces of the recipients to keep volunteers excited about the cause. Make sure that personal deliveries are divided among the volunteers, so everyone has a chance to experience the end result.
Procrastinators should avoid joining quilt ministries, because each leg of a quilt relies on others for completion. Procrastinators can hold up the completion of a quilt.
