YouthESource

Sample Fundraising Policy

The following policy was originally published as a resource for the 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering. Thanks to the Gathering for sharing this with thESource!
Youth have the opportunity to attend either Servant Events or National Youth Gatherings. These trips can cost up to $1,000.00 or more, making the cost factor impossible for many youth. We work to provide fundraisers in order for the youth to raise money to help offset these trip costs. The following policy is designed to enable youth and their families to take responsibility in the raising of funds for the events in which they will participate:
  • Events for the summer must be publicized by [a certain date] and will be the events for which the year’s fundraisers can be used.
  • Every Servant Event or Youth Gathering will have a non-refundable deposit, due upon registration and not to exceed 20% of the total trip cost.
  • When a youth registers for the event they will receive an estimate on how much their financial responsibility for the trip will be.
  • Beyond the deposit, the youth and their families have a financial responsibility to pay for the rest of their trip. This responsibility can be taken care of through a cash or check payment or through fundraisers.
  • Three months before the trip, or no later than early booking for the trip, 50% of the money must be raised or paid by the youth or family. (Early booking may include airfare, hotels, car rental, etc.)
  • Three weeks before the trip 100% of the money must be raised or paid by the youth or family.
  • Each fundraiser has a set guideline for how money is to be distributed.
  • The church will provide the opportunities for the youth to raise the funds, but this policy puts the responsibility for the success of the fundraisers upon the participation from the youth and their families.
I have read and understand the fundraising policy of _____________________________. By signing below I understand our families’ financial responsibilities and _________________________ responsibilities to partner with us in providing fundraisers.
Youth Signature ______________________________ Date: ___________
Parent Signature _______________________________ Date: ___________
Minister to Senior Youth ___________________________ Date: ___________
Thanks to Jeremy Becker for the Concordia Kirkwood Senior Youth Fundraising Policy!

Published March 21, 2012

About the author

View more from

Related Resources

Why Build Resilient Youth in Youth Ministry?

Why Build Resilient Youth in Youth Ministry?

What is a resilient identity in Christ and why is it important for a healthy youth ministry? Check out this blog from the Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry to find out more.

The Habits That We Make – Fundraising

The Habits That We Make – Fundraising

Should youth ministry, or any other ministry for that matter, rely on fundraising to significantly support their ministry functions? Sometimes the habits of fundraising get youth ministry into trouble. This article is designed to help you think more strategically about fundraising.

The Habits That We Make: Parents

The Habits That We Make: Parents

We all have harmful habits, even in our churches. This article helps us think about how we might have habits where parents are not growing in their own Biblical education or even expecting the church and its workers to be the primary teachers of the Christian faith for their children. By identifying these kinds of habits, we can see how we might change them.

The COVID-19 Pandemic: Change or Experience?

The COVID-19 Pandemic: Change or Experience?

As youth workers, we need to remember that this cohort that experienced the COVID pandemic during their younger years experienced it differently than adults. Through research, Dr. Tina Berg has been able to identify key learnings that can help us care for young people, particularly confirmands, in the wake of the pandemic.

The Habits That We Make – Isolation

The Habits That We Make – Isolation

We all have habits, some intentionally developed and others not. Knowing our habits in ministry can be important. For example, we may tend to isolate kids and/or youth from the rest of the congregation. This article talks about how to identify this habit and push against it.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How do I know if our youth ministry program is healthy and properly caring for our teens?

Discover how you can enhance your youth ministry and serve the youth in your church with Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry.

Share This