St. Theresa's
Church in Oakland used the following fundraisers at their parish to
fund their trip (which includes a two night stay at the Ramada,
renting minivans to drive from Oakland, and this year a bus rental
for the trip into Tijuana, so the whole trip and project required
over $10,000 for the group).
Car Wash during all Masses
Their group is centered around their confirmation class, so all
the kids (even the ones not coming on the trip) participated in
this activity.
Babysitting night
Parents could bring their children to the church on specific
nights when babysitters were available.
Speeches at Mass and then collection
Their pastor allowed a student to give a brief "this is what we
are planning to do and what it means to us" talk at the end of
each Mass one weekend. Although he did not allow them to
pass the plate, they had kids stationed at each exit with a
sombrero, and other Mexican dress, along with a large coffee can
to accept donations.
Corporate Sponsorship
Although the kids were reluctant at first, they each called or
visited nearby businesses owned by or employing parishioners and
asked for a donation.
Parish Outreach Funds
Most churches have some of their budget reserved for outreach
and charity activities, and the pastor allowed them some of
those to seed the funding for the project
Other ideas
Auction/sell pieces of the house or sell square footage.
Partner with local restaurants to give a portion of the receipts
for a special night to the group's projects if they advertise
the night and people mention the group during their meal.
Get businesses to accept a small house "piggy bank" at the cash
register with a brief note about what the fund raising is for.
(the Corazón office has houses decorated by the families in
Mexico)Organize a tutoring club. The money collected from
parents go to a Corazón fund.
Sell donuts after church services.
Hold a walk-a-thon. Have people sponsor you for every mile
you walk.
Dine and Donate. Hold a dinner at your house and ask your
friends to donate.
Church Dinner: Hold a dinner with all the volunteers cooking
and serving. (St John Neumann made enough to sponsor a house)
Sell bulk nuts. Create labels and have a postal scale and
plastic bags available.
(St John Neumann raised thousands
of dollars with this idea)
Sales: beef jerky, candy bars, cookie dough et.
Some
churches require the individual volunteers to raise money.
St Augustine gives
this letter to their volunteers.
