Fundraising for SIMS

with Friends Asking Friends

Does the thought of fundraising fill you with dread?  Do you get sweaty palms when you think of asking your friends and family for donations?  Have no fear!  Raising funds for SIMS is easy and rewarding.  Through an online program called Friends Asking Friends, SIMS participants can easily tap into a large pool of potential donors all from the comfort of their computers.  Your fundraising efforts will ensure that SIMS projects all over the world are a success!   

How does Friends Asking Friends work?

The Friends Asking Friends program allows students to raise awareness about the SIMS projects they are supporting by creating a personal online fundraising page.  Students can personalize the web page in a variety of ways.  Once the fundraising page is created, students alert friends and family to the web page by sending out email blasts to up to 30 potential donors at a time.  As people donate, students can monitor the progress they have made toward their fundraising goals by checking their web pages regularly.  All donations toward SIMS projects are tax deductible, and donors will receive a tax deductible receipt for their contributions.

Create your Personal Fundraising Strategy

To reach your fundraising goal, you'll need a solid plan.  Here's how to get started:

1. Create a list and check it twice - Put together a list of email addresses for anyone and everyone you plan to approach.  Don't be shy.  You'll find that people will be honored that you've asked them to be a part of this special SIMS project.

2. Create a fund raising schedule - Start fundraising early and give yourself deadlines.  Make sure you know when the date of the SIMS fundraising deadline.

3. Make it personal - Personalize your web page as much as possible.  Let your passion and commitment to God, the SIMS program, and international service form the foundation of all your written communication.

4. Please is good, but thank you is better - Thank all your donors promptly.

5. Send reminders - Follow-up with people on your list that you haven't heard from.

6. Don't forget the taxman - Make sure donors know that their contributions to SIMS are tax deductible.

Once you've been approved to participate on a trip, SIMS will send you information on how to create your personalized page.

See you on a SIMS trips soon!