Fundraising On Your Own...

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='FutureNunJMJ' date='26 April 2010 - 04:31 PM' timestamp='1272310302' post='2100521']
Has anyone made and sold Rosaries, Chaplets, or Scapulars to raise funds? I'm kind of curious because of some recent inspiration to do just that.
[/quote]

I'm currently making handmade rosaries -- glass and wood beads w/metal findings. I'm hoping to be able to sell some after Masses to raise funds once one of the parish fundraisers is finished selling after Mass. Hopefully people will still be in a generous mood.

[loveletslive]

yes, i was going to suggest selling those on etsy/ebay. you can probably make more online than from parishioners at a debt strapped parish.

[TeresaBenedicta]

Okay-- so I've been approached by a few people now who want to make contributions and I'm trying to think of the best way to go about it. Do you think that I should set up a paypal account? Or should I contact my bank where my loans are taken out and see if they could contribute directly to them? Or should I attempt to set up a separate account with my bank?

[magnificat]

I was able to raise a decent sum via letter writing. It's obviously easier if someone like your parish priest or bishop can write a word of support on your behalf to give you some "credibility". Try writing to all the Knights of Columbus & Serra Clubs in your diocese or dioceses where you may have family connections. What I did, which worked well, was to include a general cover letter explaining that I had been accepted, that I had student loans from X university and had received X degree, and my "tie" to that particular group (my home diocese, an uncle at that parish, etc.) Depending on how much you need to pay off, you may want to include that number in the letter as well - if it's super big, it might deter some from sending anything, so be careful. I also enclosed a 1 page version of my vocation story.

The KoC has a program called RSVP by which the national organization encourages local chapters to support seminarians & religious in formation (postulants & novices) by providing $100 for every $500 a local chapter provides to support vocations. If you are at the point where you've been accepted to a community and have a letter from the community supporting that, you can see if they'll consider providing you a "scholarship" through RSVP to support your postulancy. It worked for me. When writing to the KoC, I always included a little print out from the national KoC website about the RSVP programm. You can find that info here: http://www.kofc.org/un/eb/en/about/activities/church/rsvp.html.

Another organization to think about writing to is Legatus, which is an organization for Catholic business men & women. Many of them are financially in a position to help, but it may be challenging to get an "in" with them as they are obviously quite private. But you can certianly look at their website to see if they have a local chapter in your area: www.legatus.org

Something else that helped a lot was that my home diocese's newspaper published a story about my vocation & my need to pay off my student loans to enter. Speak with a parish priest you may know about whether this is possible. I happened to know my bishop who knew about my vocation, etc. who suggested this idea to me.

Also, just talk to people about your vocation, etc. You never know who may be able & inspired by the Spirit to help you!! One friend of mine received a donation of $20K from a local businessman who heard of her quandry through someone else!!

In terms of the funds received, I opened a separate savings account and deposited all the checks specifically into that account; I didn't put any other money into that account. Then I paid my loans from this account as needed. Most banks will have a basic savings account that don't require any minimum balance to open. I also kept a running spreadsheet of all the donations I received. It's important, if you're collecting money by something other than paypal to keep careful track of where the money is going, in case anyone has questions about it later on. Also, it's useful for sending thank you notes and follow-up letters of your progress in religious life down the road!

Hope this helps!

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='magnificat' date='02 May 2010 - 09:18 PM' timestamp='1272845896' post='2103837']
I was able to raise a decent sum via letter writing. It's obviously easier if someone like your parish priest or bishop can write a word of support on your behalf to give you some "credibility". Try writing to all the Knights of Columbus & Serra Clubs in your diocese or dioceses where you may have family connections. What I did, which worked well, was to include a general cover letter explaining that I had been accepted, that I had student loans from X university and had received X degree, and my "tie" to that particular group (my home diocese, an uncle at that parish, etc.) Depending on how much you need to pay off, you may want to include that number in the letter as well - if it's super big, it might deter some from sending anything, so be careful. I also enclosed a 1 page version of my vocation story.

The KoC has a program called RSVP by which the national organization encourages local chapters to support seminarians & religious in formation (postulants & novices) by providing $100 for every $500 a local chapter provides to support vocations. If you are at the point where you've been accepted to a community and have a letter from the community supporting that, you can see if they'll consider providing you a "scholarship" through RSVP to support your postulancy. It worked for me. When writing to the KoC, I always included a little print out from the national KoC website about the RSVP programm. You can find that info here: http://www.kofc.org/un/eb/en/about/activities/church/rsvp.html.

Another organization to think about writing to is Legatus, which is an organization for Catholic business men & women. Many of them are financially in a position to help, but it may be challenging to get an "in" with them as they are obviously quite private. But you can certianly look at their website to see if they have a local chapter in your area: www.legatus.org

Something else that helped a lot was that my home diocese's newspaper published a story about my vocation & my need to pay off my student loans to enter. Speak with a parish priest you may know about whether this is possible. I happened to know my bishop who knew about my vocation, etc. who suggested this idea to me.

Also, just talk to people about your vocation, etc. You never know who may be able & inspired by the Spirit to help you!! One friend of mine received a donation of $20K from a local businessman who heard of her quandry through someone else!!

In terms of the funds received, I opened a separate savings account and deposited all the checks specifically into that account; I didn't put any other money into that account. Then I paid my loans from this account as needed. Most banks will have a basic savings account that don't require any minimum balance to open. I also kept a running spreadsheet of all the donations I received. It's important, if you're collecting money by something other than paypal to keep careful track of where the money is going, in case anyone has questions about it later on. Also, it's useful for sending thank you notes and follow-up letters of your progress in religious life down the road!

Hope this helps!
[/quote]

+1! Thank you for these tips! I will definitely be using some of your suggestions.

[Piccoli Fiori JMJ]

[quote name='laetitia crucis' date='26 April 2010 - 04:18 PM' timestamp='1272316703' post='2100588']
I'm currently making handmade rosaries -- glass and wood beads w/metal findings. I'm hoping to be able to sell some after Masses to raise funds once one of the parish fundraisers is finished selling after Mass. Hopefully people will still be in a generous mood.
[/quote]
Can I ask what kind of beads do you use & where you get your beads from?

Edited May 3, 2010 by FutureNunJMJ

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='FutureNunJMJ' date='03 May 2010 - 11:39 AM' timestamp='1272897543' post='2104163']
Can I ask what kind of beads do you use & where you get your beads from?
[/quote]

I use primarily glass beads and mahogany wood beads.

This is the website I order from: [url="https://avemariascircle.com/zencart/"]Ave Maria's Circle -- Rosary Making Supplies[/url]

They're a Canadian based company, and seem to have the best prices I could find online.


Normally, I prefer very traditional/normal looking beads, but I ordered these just to see what they looked like in real life:

[img]https://avemariascircle.com/zencart/images/600/660.jpg[/img] [img]https://avemariascircle.com/zencart/images/600/661.jpg[/img] [img]https://avemariascircle.com/zencart/images/600/662.jpg[/img]

When the light hits the beads [i]just right[/i] -- it's AMAZING. They look like they GLOW. Seriously. So far, I've sold the purple and blue sets, and have the red ones left. I'm almost tempted to keep it for myself. Hahaha! And well, they're quite gorgeous even in normal light, too. *pets beads* (Haha!)

Oh, and when I bought from this company back in January, the US Dollar was worth more than the Canadian dollar. Now the prices have gone up a bit for the US.

[Piccoli Fiori JMJ]

[quote name='laetitia crucis' date='03 May 2010 - 10:28 AM' timestamp='1272900485' post='2104175']
I use primarily glass beads and mahogany wood beads.

This is the website I order from: [url="https://avemariascircle.com/zencart/"]Ave Maria's Circle -- Rosary Making Supplies[/url]

They're a Canadian based company, and seem to have the best prices I could find online.


Normally, I prefer very traditional/normal looking beads, but I ordered these just to see what they looked like in real life:

<img>

When the light hits the beads [i]just right[/i] -- it's AMAZING. They look like they GLOW. Seriously. So far, I've sold the purple and blue sets, and have the red ones left. I'm almost tempted to keep it for myself. Hahaha! And well, they're quite gorgeous even in normal light, too. *pets beads* (Haha!)

Oh, and when I bought from this company back in January, the US Dollar was worth more than the Canadian dollar. Now the prices have gone up a bit for the US.
[/quote]
Those are beautiful beads! I've just been scrounging the craft stores in town looking for clearance beads! I've found some beautiful green beads that are perfect for Rosaries and some glass pearls that were only a dollar. Unfortunately, I've found that if you find one style of bead in one color, you cannot find it in all the colors. I'll have to start looking for beads online I think. Thanks for the link & info. I've been having a fun time trying to find centerpieces, too. I've been looking all over just because cost is a huge factor in all of this.

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='FutureNunJMJ' date='03 May 2010 - 01:15 PM' timestamp='1272903304' post='2104183']
Those are beautiful beads! I've just been scrounging the craft stores in town looking for clearance beads! I've found some beautiful green beads that are perfect for Rosaries and some glass pearls that were only a dollar. Unfortunately, I've found that if you find one style of bead in one color, you cannot find it in all the colors. I'll have to start looking for beads online I think. Thanks for the link & info. I've been having a fun time trying to find centerpieces, too. I've been looking all over just because cost is a huge factor in all of this.
[/quote]

You're quite welcome!

Sometimes you can find some good (and very pretty!) glass beads on sale/clearance at Michael's and Hobby Lobby; however, be sure to count the beads before you buy them!

I haven't been able to find centerpieces anywhere but online, and the same goes for reasonably prices crucifixes.

[Piccoli Fiori JMJ]

[quote name='laetitia crucis' date='03 May 2010 - 11:22 AM' timestamp='1272903773' post='2104188']
You're quite welcome!

Sometimes you can find some good (and very pretty!) glass beads on sale/clearance at Michael's and Hobby Lobby; however, be sure to count the beads before you buy them!

I haven't been able to find centerpieces anywhere but online, and the same goes for reasonably prices crucifixes.
[/quote]
No worries, I've been counting!

I actually asked my youth minister if she gets medals/holy cards/other holy items discounted or in bulk through catalogues and such. She gave me the Autom catalogue and they have some nice Crucifixes that are about 50¢ each. I don't think they sell centerpieces though... Holy medals are a steal though... 25¢ a piece is better than anything I've seen online.

ETA: That site has some beautiful stuff on it! I think I'm in love!

Edited May 3, 2010 by FutureNunJMJ

[vee]

[quote name='laetitia crucis' date='03 May 2010 - 10:28 AM' timestamp='1272900485' post='2104175']


Oh, and when I bought from this company back in January, the US Dollar was worth more than the Canadian dollar. Now the prices have gone up a bit for the US.
[/quote]

aaww Meanwhile with the exchange rate more in my favor I am experiencing temptations to "go and shop" instead of "come and see." Sorry for the thread hijack I better get back to arranging the correct, non shopping, trip.

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='vee8' date='03 May 2010 - 01:44 PM' timestamp='1272905094' post='2104195']
aaww Meanwhile with the exchange rate more in my favor I am experiencing temptations to "go and shop" instead of "come and see." Sorry for the thread hijack I better get back to arranging the correct, non shopping, trip.
[/quote]

No worries -- I know the feeling! Hahaha! I mean, back when the exchanges were more in my favor... oy, I was SO tempted to buy EVERYTHING in bulk!! Especially pretty shiny beads.

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='FutureNunJMJ' date='03 May 2010 - 01:30 PM' timestamp='1272904211' post='2104192']
No worries, I've been counting!

I actually asked my youth minister if she gets medals/holy cards/other holy items discounted or in bulk through catalogues and such. She gave me the Autom catalogue and they have some nice Crucifixes that are about 50¢ each. I don't think they sell centerpieces though... Holy medals are a steal though... 25¢ a piece is better than anything I've seen online.

ETA: That site has some beautiful stuff on it! I think I'm in love!
[/quote]

Ahh! The AUTOM CATAGLOGUE! Yessss!

I had seen one of those last year sometime -- pre-contemplation of making rosaries -- and forgot how inexpensive their crucifix and holy medal prices are! THANK YOU for mentioning this! *bookmark* I will definitely be purchasing my crucifixes from them instead.

Aaand I'm so glad you like the Ave Maria's Circle site as well!

[osapientia]

Just a general thought on rosary making...if you need to get started without spending much money, you might consider making knotted cord rosaries. I make these all the time and people seem to really like them....and you don't have to have a cross or a centerpiece as both can be knotted just like the rest of the rosary.

If you're interested, PM me and I'll send you the sites I use. You really only need to buy the cord..I can send you instructions.

Peace,
osap

[littlesister]

This would be a one-time project for an athlete : one of our incoming postulants lined up some sponsoorships and just ran the New York Marathon. It sounds like she did quite nicely.

Also, we tried Serra for financial support once in the midwest, but they explained that isn't not somethng they do. A couple of individual members heard about it and donated what they could, but their focus is elsewhere.