Fundraising and Fellowship : Exciting Failsafe Ideas for Youth Ministry Book

Fundraising isn't necessarily part of the Youth Ministry 101 course.Being a skilled fundraiser may not be part of a youth minister's job description either. But more and more adults who minister with youth find themselves spearheading fundraising efforts among their teens in order to financially support service outings, mission trips, retreats, and workshops-not to mention the myriad of various social activities that are part of successful youth ministry programming.

In Fundraising and Fellowship, long-time youth minister Mary Ann Zierler-Jasiak dispels the notion of fundraising as a negative.

In fact, with the cooperation and input of the teens themselves, fundraising can be a positive part of your youth ministry that not only helps to financially support your programming, but goes a long way in building through common effort a spirit of community and fellowship among the teens as well as others in the parish and neighborhood. Zierler-Jasiak offers full programming tips for six "fundraising events" that go way beyond the usual fare of candy bar sales and car washes to provide real opportunity for spiritual growth among your teens. These events are easily planned and implemented; most take place over one weekend.

Briefly, the events Jasiak describes are as follows:

Souper Sunday

Teens and adult volunteers prepare a variety of soups to sell to parishioners after Sunday Mass. Other menu items may include bread, salads, beverages, and desserts. These "meals" are offer on a "sit in" or "take out" basis.

On a different scale, the meal may be advertised in the outlying community with people in and outside of the parish being invited.

Candyworld

Teens and adult volunteers make specialty candy and cookies to sell, usually during the holiday season. At the same time, the teens create a life-size "Candyworld" game board on the floor of an auditorium or gymnasium.

Paid admission to play the game is charged to families with younger children. The cookies and candy are eaten and sold as part of the playing of the game.

Shares in the Kingdom

Teens sell "shares" (like stock shares) in themselves. In order to sell these shares, the teens invite adults (parishioners) to a meeting to hear about the proposed use for the funds. The teens keep these "shareholders" abreast of how their funds are being used through the course of the year or one specific event.

At the end of the year or event, the teens meet again with the shareholders to give a final report, which may include playing a video or performing a short skit.

The Bread Basket

In a common kitchen (for example, the parish hall), teens gather to make fresh breads of all kinds. When ready, the teens package and sell the breads at the parish or at a neighborhood bazaar.

The teens attach an appropriate scripture quotation to each package.

The Storyteller

Working in small groups, the teens practice reciting and performing popular children's stories. Parents, grandparents, and young children are invited to the final performance and asked to make a donation.

Strike Up the Band

Teens organize a concert where admission is charged. Various types of bands can be used for the concert, including school bands or orchestras or local rock bands or ensembles made up of teens.

For the concert, ice cream, pies, t-shirts, or other items can be sold for a profit.

Many other fundraising programming tips and ideas themselves are offered in Fundraising and Fellowship. Zierler-Jasiak goes a long way in truly making fundraising for youth ministry quite a bit of FUNraising!

Author Biography: Mary Ann Zierler-Jasiak is Director of Faith Formation at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Kimberly, Wisconsin. She has been a high school teacher, a parish youth minister, and is the mother of two teenage sons.