Ten Steps - Care Abounds in Communities Guidelines (prepared by Fairfield-Richland County Chapter)
The Ten Steps listed on the inside of this folder can help you through the process from start to finish of a project to raise funds (fundraiser) or conduct a hands-on service project (work project) supported by the Care Abounds in Communities activity. These funds are available to teams to support almost any project which is not related to the congregation and which is approved by the Chapter Board. Service teams are requested, in general, to raise three times the amount requested from Thrivent Financial. Funds are available to all congregations through the Care in Congregations program.
1. See or hear a need for an individual or community expressed.
2. Prepare a brief description of the need as you saw or heard it.
3. Gather a service team of at least 6 Thrivent Financial members households
Note: Although it may be easy to gather the team entirely from your congregation, if you want to get the greatest benefit and involvement, consider inviting people from other congregations to join you as part of the planning team. This will increase the volunteer pool, involvement in the project, and what people know about the work of Thrivent Financial.
4. Meet as a service team to discuss how to support the need (what will you do). Once you have determined the project you want to implement to address this need, use the “Request for Funding Questionaire” which includes information such as that below. Attach any supporting details or information. For example, the need you see may be refugees who need books to learn English and you decide to hold a rock-a-thon to raise money to buy books.
Name and description of activity
Estimated cost/funds to be raised
Amount requested from Thrivent Financial
Estimated member households to be involved (at least 6)
Activity contact person
5. Complete the “Request for Funding Questionnaire” and submit it to a chapter leader.
6. While waiting approval, develop your plans in detail and be ready to proceed in a timely manner.
7. Do NOT conduct the activity for which you are requesting funding until after the activity is approved by the chapter board. Funding is NOT retroactive.
8. Once funding is approved, prepare to implement the plans including:
a. Notice and invitation, if appropriate, to all congregations in the chapter about the project.
b. Publicity, as appropriate, in local media, including announcement of Thrivent Financial involvement.
c. Invitation to Chapter Board Members and Thrivent Financial Associates to attend.
d. Invite the chapter providing the funding to be involved in as many ways as possible: speak, display, attend.
e. Keep good records for reporting the following:
Number of people involved
Number of Thrivent Financial members involved
Number of hours invested
Receipts of all expenses (must be turned in)
Records of all income
9. During the event or activity, give visibility to Thrivent Financial’s support. Checks for fund raising activities should be made out to the chapter.
10. Complete the final report form with all information requested, including receipts, and submit to the chapter for your financial support. (You must send a check for all receipts – after expenses are paid – along with a summary of the expenses and receipts.)
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