Download our free fundraising eBook for more tips on effective single moms’ fundraising strategies HERE.
The financial aspect of any ministry can be complex and will likely require an effective fundraising strategy, regardless of church size or budget. Single moms programs in churches are often still considered a new concept, as it wasn’t a ministry that may have been needed even two decades ago. This often means that churches have not allocated a budget for such a program, and even if they have, it may not be enough to go beyond a basic Bible study meeting. Many single moms’ ministries have to be creative in their fundraising efforts.
Read on for some ideas on raising money to further your ministry to single parents in your church. Fundraising can be used for the sustainability of the future of the ministry, individual single mom needs that may be within your ministry, special events you would like to host, such as Christmas Parties or Conferences, or simply to enhance what you are already doing within the ministry.
(Please note: All of these suggestions should be approved by your local church, if you are leading a single moms’ ministry. We do not recommend any fundraising without the blessing and approval by your church leadership team).
Sales. The good old-fashioned bake sale is a tried and true way to raise hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. It’s the only time that people will pay $10 for a brownie that’s little more than an inch long! This is also a great way to get the single moms and kids of your group involved, too. Other sales could include homemade items, at-home businesses that moms may already have (if they are willing to donate to the ministry), and garage sales.
Auctions. Online auctions can prove to be simple and easy. Have local businesses donate goods and services and advertise a week-long (day-long or month-long is fine, too) auction event on your website or even on a social media page like Facebook. We’ve been able to raise hundreds of dollars via social media silent auctions. There are tons of online companies that help at little to no charge.
Events. Often, churches have access to amazing singers and worship bands. Host a single moms’ worship night and take up an offering that will all go to single mothers ministry at your church. This is also a great way for you to highlight what you are currently doing in single moms’ ministry, how it is changing lives, and beautiful testimonies of women who have been blessed by the efforts. (Note: Additional ideas can include fundraising luncheons or galas, but those events can require lots of work and planning and do have some upfront costs that smaller programs may not be able to afford. )
Request letters. Type up a letter on church letterhead including the tax identification number (if applicable) and ask local businesses to jump on board with your fundraising efforts. You will be surprised how many businesses are interested in supporting single mothers, particularly if there are advertising opportunities, such as a thank you from the stage, social media shout-out, or distribution of the company’s flyer at the event. (Please be certain that you work with the church pastor, secretary, or administration, before proceeding with solicitation efforts).
Provide services. Host a car wash. Provide home cleaning services. Offer lawn care. Providing services are a great way for people to invest in your ministry and exhibit your willingness to work to earn that support. Further, it’s another great way to use single moms and their kids who may be willing and able to assist in fundraising efforts! We love the idea of single moms helping other single moms!
Looking for other ways grow or improve your single mom’s ministry? Download our free Fundraising 101 ebook!
The Life of a Single Mom® is a national, faith-based, nonprofit that exists to see that no single mom walks alone. To date, the organization has worked with thousands of churches to start a single mom’s support group in cities throughout the U.S. and beyond, as well as having served more than one million single mothers with a variety of programs. Offering a large array of books, curriculum, training materials, online instructional videos, podcasts, newsletters, life skills education, and more, TLSM is one of the largest single mom organizations in the U.S. The robust selection of single mom programs focus on empowering single moms to grow spiritually, emotionally, financially, and parentally through Single Mom University®, Single Moms Across America, the National TLSM Single Moms Conference, boot camps, and a variety of other programs. For more information, visit thelifeofasinglemom.com.
