How to Request Donations for a Church Youth Group

Fundraising for church youth groups often have a dual purpose including outreach.

Raising funds for for church youth group projects, such as mission trips or church supplies, often involves requesting donations. Church youth groups can make the most of fund raising efforts by incorporating enthusiasm and tenacity as they present fund raising letters to various organizations as a tax right off. This often involves drafting letters with specific aims to either increase church funding for the youth, or to aid in projects based on compassionate volunteering.

Things You'll Need

• Presentation paper
• Portfolio
• Church letterhead

Instructions

1. Place the organizational name, current mailing date and the church address to the left of the letterhead. Include the address of the donor below this information.

2. Draft a letter starting with a personal greeting and positive news about the church youth group. Add one or two sentences about past projects and achievements that have worked after fund raising efforts occurred. Include examples such as charitable mission trips or local food relief efforts as positive news.

3. Tell the reader about the current church youth group project, and the projected achievement. Explain why the reader should get involved with the church youth group fund raising. Keep all information concise to avoid wordiness.

4. Ask for a gift or sponsorship in a clear and precise manner. Explain the manner in which the donor or sponsor can respond to the letter, by including the address to send the funds, the amount of money requested or the donation website.

5. Thank the potential donor or sponsor for taking the time to read the letter and for their consideration. Use a traditional closing statement or word that fits well with the letter. Spell out the name of the minister or clergy for which the letter derived. Within the P.S. section of the letter remind them that their donations or pledges are tax deductible.

6. Mail off each request within a portfolio on the same day stated on the church youth group letter. Allow time for each corporation, small business or individual to respond.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider having the church youth group hold change-drop buckets in front of stores, or perhaps distribute money-donation boxes to help reinforce time-limited goals. Keep an open mind about who to present the fund raising request to, because you never know who will give.

• Maintain a list of names of the corporations and individuals to which each letter is sent. Call potential donors or sponsors to thank them for their consideration, their gift or for any pledges. Send a follow-up letter telling the results of the fund raiser. In this way, it does not seem like the church youth group took their money and ran away.

References

• Life Student Ministry: 71 Fundraising Ideas for Youth Groups
• Step by Step Fundraising: Fundraising Donation Letter Template
• Fundraiser Help: How to Right a Fundraisering Letter

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Fundraiser Insight: Keeping Church Fundraising Fun and Creative
• Youth Group Promotions: Selling Tips