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Belize Fund Raise Packet


Raise Funds for AYS and Receive a Discount on an Expedition

Volunteers that raise funds for AYS will receive a discount on the cost of an expedition based on reaching fund raising goals. The following guidelines apply.

Amount Fund RaisedDiscount on expedition costs**
$100-199$100
$200-399$200
$400-599$400
$600-799$600
$800-999$800
$1000-1249$1000
$1250-1499$1250
$1500-1749$1500
$1750-1999$1750 
$2000-2249$2000
$2250-2499$2250
$2500-2749$2500 
$2750-2999$2750 
$3000 and up$3000 

  ** Or the total cost of the trip, whichever is less

 

For example, if the cost of the trip is $2,495 and you solicit donations in the amount of $1,600 for AYS, you would receive a discount of $1,500 toward the expedition of your choice. Your cost to participate in the expedition would only be $995 ($2,495-$1,500).

How to Raise Funds for AYS

Start your fund raising right away. Many people are nervous about asking others for money. It's perfectly natural to be uneasy with it. Once you get into it, you will be surprised how easy and fun it can be. Remember that you are volunteering for a good cause and this is one way to let others know about what you are doing and letting them get involved in making a difference in other people's lives through you.

Here are some pointers:

  • Be prepared to tell why you are involved with AYS (see the sample letters for background information. They are included below).
  • Start with people you know well; they will probably be open to what you are doing and will want to support your efforts.
  • Don't try to determine how much you think they will be able to help, let them decide how much to pledge, but you can give suggestions such as, "it costs $8.00 for a bag of cement, would you be willing to cover the cost of 5 bags?"
  • When someone says they will donate, ask if you can collect it on the spot. This saves going back another time.

How to Ask:

  1. Talk to people on the phone or face to face.
  2. Write letters and send to everyone you know - try for 100 names. Use our sample letters (make sure you personalize it with your information - don't just print off the letter and mail it. If the donors are LDS, you may want to include in the letter that you get to spend about 2 weeks working closely with other LDS youth, adults and LDS members in the country where you're going). Also see our fund raising list for help with writing letters.
    Make sure to:
    • Personalize the letters.
    • Make it creative (add your picture, etc.).
    • Ask them to send the check made out to AYS back to you (if the check is in your name, it is not tax deductible for the donor).
    • Offer a follow-up such as a written report, slide show, etc. so they can see the good that came from their contribution.
    • When you receive a donation send a personal thank you note.

Other Creative Fund Raising Ideas:

  • Garage, yard or craft sales (you can ask for donations for items after explaining your cause).
  • Wash cars.
  • Babysitting, one way is to have a night where several couples bring their children to one spot (make sure you have help).
  • Provide other services such as facials, manicures, etc. for a donation.
  • Wash windows.
  • Mow lawns.
  • Rent the machine and offer to aerate all the neighbor's lawns for a donation.
  • Compile a cookbook with your favorite recipes to sell.

Receiving Donations:

  • Check should be made payable to AYS (if the check is in your name, it is not tax deductible for the donor).
  • Use the "Donor Record" included below to keep a record of donations.
  • Mail in checks every few weeks with a copy of the "Donor Record" form.
  • Issue a receipt to the contributor if you receive the donation directly (see receipts included below).

Tax Deductions: Alliance for Youth Service is a 501(c)(3) corporation and thus donations sent in are tax deductible if they are given on an unfettered basis
(as opposed to supporting only an individual).

Keep an accurate record of the donations you receive. You can use the "Donor Record" form that follows. If someone gives you cash immediately record their name, address, phone number and amount. Please convert it into a money order or personal check before mailing in. You can send in donations at any time, don't wait too long to gather them up. Be sure that your name is on the "Donor Record" form and note the date it was submitted to AYS in the lower bottom corner. You may download additional forms on AYS website, under fund raising packet. This record can then be used for sending thank you cards and follow up letters. It is very important to thank these donors.

Copyright (c) 2009 Alliance for Youth Service -- All Rights Reserved
Document updated Nov. 2009

Fund Raising List

Try to enter 100 names and addresses. Who do you know?
Relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins), teachers, your doctor, dentist, orthodontist, employer, past employer, parent's employer, local businesses, service clubs (i.e. Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.), and companies that have matching funds. Make your list here, copy this page for more spaces.

Name

Address

Notes

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Copyright (c) 2009 Alliance for Youth Service -- All Rights Reserved
Document updated Nov. 2009

Donor Record Form Participant's Name:_________________________

Use this form to document all money given to you. Keep this form for your own records. Remember to note date when payment are submitted to AYS. Send a copy of this form along with the donations you send in.

Mail to : Alliance for Youth Service
321 N. Mall Drive
Suite R 106
Saint George, UT 84790-7350

Make checks out to Alliance for Youth Service

Date

Name of Donor

Donor's Address

Amount

Balance

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
Date Submitted to AYS:
 
Copyright (c) 2009 Alliance for Youth Service -- All Rights Reserved
Document updated Nov. 2009

Sample Letter 1

(Date)

Dear ____________________ ,

I am writing to you because I have discovered a wonderful opportunity to bless the lives of others. I am requesting your support for a humanitarian aid project organized by Alliance for Youth Service (AYS).

I want to help for a number of reasons. Foremost, the service project AYS will be working on adding on a new room to the elementary school. AYS volunteers will be working right alongside the people of this village in helping them better their lives. Currently, the school consists of only one room. This new schoolroom will be an addition to the existing one-room school library and will allow the school to qualify for a government program that will bring computers to the school for the first time.

The organization I have chosen to help, AYS, works to organize LDS oriented service expeditions for youth. You can visit the Alliance for Youth Service website at www.ays.org to find out more about the program, see pictures of the past expeditions to other countries and read what previous participants have said about the experience.

The cost to send one volunteer on the AYS 16-day program, which includes travel, food, lodging, transportation and building materials is $1,995.00. I am working hard to gather donations through a variety of projects. Since all volunteers are responsible for covering their own expenses, but AYS will reduce the cost of the trip for the volunteers that reach their fund raising goals. Any amount is appreciated and every donation makes a difference. If you chose to lend your support you'll be please to know that AYS is an IRS 501(c)(3) organization so your gift is tax deductible.

For your convenience, I've enclosed a pre-stamped addressed envelope. Checks should be made out to AYS and mailed to me. Should you have any questions this volunteer humanitarian program, please call me at (insert your phone number). Your support, as well as that of your friends who might be interested in making donations to AYS, would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to sharing this extraordinary experience with you when I return.

Thank you in advance for your support,

Yours Truly,

(Your Name)

 

Copyright (c) 2009 Alliance for Youth Service -- All Rights Reserved
Document updated Nov. 2009

Sample Letter 2

Name
Street
City, State, Zip

Date

Dear __________________________ ,

This summer offers me a big challenge and an exciting adventure. The door has opened for me to participate with Alliance for Youth Service to travel to Belize and help build an extra room for the local school there. I will working right alongside the people of this village in helping them better their lives. The group will be composed of about 20 youth my age and chaperons from all over the United States. We will work in partnership with local representatives.

The people are surrounded by poverty, with over a quarter of the population living below the basic needs poverty line. We will be working right alongside the people of this village in helping them better their lives. My goal is to raise $1,995 in contributions to AYS. AYS will discount the cost of the trip for the volunteers that reach their fund raising goals. I'm currently (mention all fund raising activities you are doing such as yard sales, baby-sitting, odd jobs, etc).

This is not a luxury trip, I will be working hard but I am excited about the opportunity to share my time, talent and energy with others by helping the people there. I also expect to learn a lot about myself and the culture as i work alongside them.

I hope that you will consider joining the AYS team by investing in this humanitarian cause. Any amount will help. The average cost of a bag of cement is $8.00. Please consider contributing 20 bags. Please consider contributing a half day, or more. Checks should be payable to Alliance for Youth Service and sent to me at the address below. Please use the enclosed stamped envelope. You can visit the Alliance for Youth Service website at www.ays.org to find out more about the program, see pictures of past expeditions to other countries and read what previous participants have said about the experience.

Very Truly Yours,

Your Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Phone
E-mail Address

Enclosures: Return Envelope

P.S. I will keep you updated about my trip with a letter after I return. You can learn more about Alliance for Youth Service at www.ays.org

Copyright (c) 2009 Alliance for Youth Service -- All Rights Reserved
Document updated Nov. 2009

 


Sample Letter 3

DATE

Dear Friends and Family,

Please take the following quiz to learn what is happening with me this summer.

  1. This summer I will :
    a. Go to Hawaii to sell suntan lotion
    b. Go to a village in [insert your trip name here] with Alliance for Youth Service to serve others
    c. Get Married
    d. Do nothing
    Answer: B (Why didn't any of you pick C?)
  2. While in Belize, I will:
    a. Pick flowers and feed them to monkeys
    b. Work to improve the lives of impoverished people
    c. Labor on construction projects to improve education
    d. b and c
    Answer: D
  3. The cost of my trip is:
    a. $1,995
    b. $5,000
    c. $25
    Answer: A
  4. Would you consider:
    a. Helping me do laundry before I go
    b. Remembering me in your prayers
    c. Contributing to this cause
    d. Calling my mom and telling her it is OK for me to fly on any airplane
    e. All of the above
    Answer: E (But especially B and C.)
  5. To make a financial contribution:
    a. Make checks payable to Alliance for Youth Service
    b. Mail them to me
    c. Please respond by [insert a date here]
    d. All of the above
    Answer: D (envelope provide for your convenience)

Thank you for your participation in this survey and for your support of AYS. I look forward to sharing the results of my experience with you when I return. You can visit the Alliance for Youth Service website at www.ays.org to find out more about the program, see pictures of past expeditions to other countries and read what previous participants have said about the experience.

Sincerely,

[insert your name here]

Copyright (c) 2009 Alliance for Youth Service -- All Rights Reserved
Document updated Nov. 2009

 


Donation Receipts

Thank-you for your donation

Date:____________________

Thank you for supporting our program's cause with your kind donation. Without your generous sponsorship, none of this would be possible.

Name of Donor:_______________________________________________

Amount of Contribution: $_____________

AYS is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
No goods or services were provided in conjunction with this contribution and 100% of your donation may be deductible.
Your donation is for the exclusive use of Alliance for Youth Service, and the donation does not secure or assist to secure or assist to secure any right to any individual to participate in a service trip, humanitarian trip, expedition or any other thing of value.

www.ays.org


Thank-you for your donation

Date:____________________

Thank you for supporting our program's cause with your kind donation. Without your generous sponsorship, none of this would be possible.

Name of Donor:_______________________________________________

Amount of Contribution: $_____________

AYS is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
No goods or services were provided in conjunction with this contribution and 100% of your donation may be deductible.
Your donation is for the exclusive use of Alliance for Youth Service, and the donation does not secure or assist to secure or assist to secure any right to any individual to participate in a service trip, humanitarian trip, expedition or any other thing of value.

www.ays.org


Thank-you for your donation

Date:____________________

Thank you for supporting our program's cause with your kind donation. Without your generous sponsorship, none of this would be possible.

Name of Donor:_______________________________________________

Amount of Contribution: $_____________

AYS is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
No goods or services were provided in conjunction with this contribution and 100% of your donation may be deductible.
Your donation is for the exclusive use of Alliance for Youth Service, and the donation does not secure or assist to secure or assist to secure any right to any individual to participate in a service trip, humanitarian trip, expedition or any other thing of value.

www.ays.org


Thank-you for your donation

Date:____________________

Thank you for supporting our program's cause with your kind donation. Without your generous sponsorship, none of this would be possible.

Name of Donor:_______________________________________________

Amount of Contribution: $_____________

AYS is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
No goods or services were provided in conjunction with this contribution and 100% of your donation may be deductible.
Your donation is for the exclusive use of Alliance for Youth Service, and the donation does not secure or assist to secure or assist to secure any right to any individual to participate in a service trip, humanitarian trip, expedition or any other thing of value.

www.ays.org

 


Copyright (c) 2009 Alliance for Youth Service -- All Rights Reserved
Document updated Nov. 2009