Fundraising Essentials

Fundraising for your Real Break trip will be a new adventure! Very rarely do students NOT raise the total cost of their trip. In fact, they usually end up raising MORE than the amount that is needed. Below you will find some basic tips.

•  Start Right Away! Although your Real Break trip is only several months away, you could find donors who are looking to give before the end of the year for tax deduction purposes.
•  It is okay to contribute some of your own funds. Start putting aside some money every week. You will be asking many people to help support your participation in Real Break. So, do not be afraid to be a donor, too.
•  Your family can be of great support to you. Make sure they are on board - they are a great resource to help in the process of fundraising by donating to your trip, getting donations from co-workers, and directing you to specific people who may be able to make larger contributions.

 This is how it works: 

•  All checks should be made payable to Orthodox Christian Fellowship with the following written in the memo field: RB 2013 - YOUR NAME.
•  If you would like to contribute to your trip, either include a check with your other donations or submit a payment through the donation option on the Real Break page.
•  Though the North American Office will be tracking your donations on an online excel document on Google Drive, you are ultimately responsible for knowing the amount of funds you have raised. Put together a good tracking system so that you stay on top of reaching your goal.
•  Once you receive your donations, they should be immediately sent to the North American OCF Office at the following address:

Orthodox Christian Fellowship
50 Goddard Avenue
Brookline, MA 02445

• Have your donors send all checks and cash to you. You will then mail them to the North American OCF Office, along with the donor forms.

   

• Remember, it is very important to send a thank you note to your donors once you have received funds.

Fundraising Ideas

Letter of Appeal

• The mainstay of your fundraising effort will be to write a personal letter appealing to your relatives, friends, people at Church, and even to churches in your local area.
• There is a suggested Letter included in the packet, but it needs to be personalized and should include a self addressed stamped envelope.
• Your letter should be brief, and should request support for your involvement in the project.  Mention why this trip is important to you and ask for their prayers.
• Invite anyone to contact either your priest or the Orthodox Christian Fellowship office for a better understanding of your participation.
• Remember to provide a Donation Support Form with your letter.

Parish Appeal

• Start with your parish priest. He knows you and will more than likely stand behind your fundraising efforts by Approaching your parish to support you.
• You might ask your priest for his permission to speak to your congregation after Liturgy on a Sunday.
• You can ask church organizations, such as the Ladies' group, Parish Council, as well as teen and young adult groups, to allow you the opportunity to give a presentation and ask for support.
• Your priest can also help you appeal to other local or regional parishes and charitable organizations.
• Be honest in your presentations and share from the heart. Let your audience know that they will be sharing in your work by sending you on your Real Break trip.
• Set-up a presentation board at Church with information about your trip and pictures from past Real Break trips.

Get Creative

• Organize a fundraiser! From a campus wine and cheese night to selling root beer floats during Coffee hour at Church, get creative and come up with your own unique way to share your mission with others and to gain their support.