Learning the “F” Word: Fundraising for Youth Ministry

Fundraising is a key part of youth ministry in many local churches, and while it may be a necessity in your ministry context, it doesn’t have to be a swear word. Fundraising isn’t just about bake sales, yard sales and never-ending car washes. Lots of youth groups and churches have found their niches and their efforts to fund ministries to kids and teens are part of their normal church rhythms. ..and while raising money is a lot of work, it has tremendous discipleship implications. It not only makes ministry opportunities more financially accessible for families, but it also helps to teach students a good work ethic, soft skills, and even lessons about financial accountability. Plus, there’s a remarkable sense of satisfaction in seeing your effort pay off in tangible ways, and perhaps more than any other, this generation is keen about activism and entrepreneurship. Why not help them focus that energy into ministry?

If you’re a planner kind of person, then you might’ve already set your dates and scheduled your fundraisers for this spring. You might’ve organized a team of folks who’ll help you gather the supplies, recruit sponsors, and set up the grill. Maybe they’re helping you round up donations for giveaways, or posting flyers around town. You’re probably already sending out promos and emails now, hyping up that big day for your students when you’ll make enough money to fully fund all of your crazy-fun activities for the summer season.. Riiiight?

But if not, you’re still not too late. If you’re looking to offset the cost of a trip to Carowinds, or make YouthQuest even easier for your students to attend (July 17-20 at Emmanuel University!), consider these tips and tricks for getting the most out of your time and effort.

1. Choose fundraising opportunities that offer multiple access points for families.

   
   

   Not every family has a natural salesperson or bakery-chef, and going door-to-door is a nonstarter for lots of people. Don’t just settle for the 8-hour car wash that only makes $200, selling coupon books, or boxes of chocolate. Look for fundraisers that allow more people to participate, regardless of their strengths, skills or schedules. A simple Google-search for “youth group fundraiser ideas” will yield more results than you have time to read.

2. Choose fundraising opportunities that offer the most profitability in your context. Look at what you have in your hand—your people, your resources, your time. Look for ways to leverage what you have to enjoy the biggest return. Note your demographics and look at your community.. pay attention to people’s hobbies and interests near your church. Look for inroads into those opportunities to make the most of your time and your volunteer capacity. Sponsor a car show, host a golf tournament, or auction-off trusted teens to do spring cleaning for the highest bidder. If you’re up for the challenge, consider creating your own dinner theater, complete with a ticketed show and a meal. Whatever you choose, if you’re gonna ask volunteers and students to give up a weekend, then make their work worthwhile.

3. Connect the dots between the gift and the recipient. Put students in ministry and onstage as often as you can. Get their testimonies on film and share it on a Sunday morning. Let them testify to how God transformed their lives on that last youth trip. Helping parents, grandparents, church leaders and families see how their one-time gift or recurring donation makes a difference for a teen’s eternal destiny may be all it takes to fully fund Accelerant 2026.

4. Communicating is Critical. Maybe it’s because I’m a parent to a teenager, but I’m a huge advocate of communicating well and often with parents in youth ministry. Along with youth ministry volunteers, parents are most often the catalyst to get events and activities off the ground, and they are usually the folks most interested in defraying the cost of sending their kids. Be intentional about communicating; your students will not remember to talk about it at home.

5. Communicate the Opportunity – Stay positive. Givers are willing to invest in the eternity of young people. Focus on the opportunity over and above the need.

6. Communicate the Invitation – Paint a picture. Givers respond to compelling vision. Invite them to participate in the future over attempting to coerce them through guilt or fear.

7. Communicate the Details – Givers choose organized projects and opportunities over half-baked schemes. Be ready to answer all their questions with thoughtful, actionable plans.

Fundraising might be the F-word for some youth groups, but it doesn’t have to be a curse-word.

Put in the planning, put in the work and get started today. Let’s put the FUN back in fundraising!