Care in Congregations®

What is the difference between a fundraiser and a hands-on service activity?

What type of activity—fundraiser or hands-on service activity*—best meets a need your congregational service team has identified in your congregation? Look at the goal or purpose of the activity and ask these questions:   - Is the activity being done to generate funds (dollars)? When yes, a fundraiser activity should be planned.   - Is the activity being done to assemble, create or improve something using volunteer labor? When yes, a hands-on service activity should be planned. A fundraiser activity uses Care Abounds in Communities® or Care in Congregation® program funds to supplement the dollars raised. A hands-on service activity uses Care program funds to purchase materials used for the volunteer activity. Funds are not to be used for paid labor or gift certificates. Here are some examples of each type of activity: Fundraiser activity - Silent auction, benefit dinner, rummage sale, auction, car wash, bake sale, spaghetti dinner, appeal/collection. Hands-on service activity - paint the church hall, construct a wheelchair ramp, landscape the church grounds, clean the church and school, create gift baskets for shut-ins, clean-up church grounds, build cabinetry for the fellowship hall. Visit CHIP at www.thrivent.com/chip for more detailed information and examples of Care in Congregations® activities. *Note: If a service team determines that both a fundraiser and hands-on service activity are needed, create two different service teams and report these activities separately (even though the activities may be conducted on the same date and for the same need).