Fundraising: Frequently Asked Questions

Global Partnerships

MONEY AND FUNDRAISING ISSUES: FAQ’s

What is the trip payment schedule?

• A $30 application fee is due with the application. This is used to fund your orientation. If you decide not to go on the trip the application fee is forfeited. If for some reason you were not accepted to a GP team, we will reimburse your application fee.
• 10% of your trip costs are due within 10 days of your acceptance to the team. This is a non-refundable down payment. We encourage you to use your own money for the down payment.
• Another 40% is due one month before your final payment.
• Final winter trip payments are due on December 1^st for Mexico, and December 8^th for all other winter trips. Final spring trip payments are due February 27^th. Final summer trip payments are due May 1^st.

Can I raise financial support for my trip through NPU?

Yes! We encourage you to do so! However, there is a system and a process devised by the Development Office and University Ministries that needs to be followed. The Global Partnerships program has a special support card that should be included with all letters, checks are made out to North Park University, donations are tax deductible, and are sent to and managed by University Ministries Global Partnerships Program. Letters should only be sent after being officially accepted to a team and attendance to the group orientation. Thanks!

Is there any part of the trip costs that shouldn’t be a part of fundraising?

We encourage students to pay for at least 10% of the trip themselves. If you are able, you can fund your entire trip through donations, but money needs to arrive by the dates listed above. This encourages personal responsibility towards the trip and your partner organization, and demands that you also steward your finances wisely. We also ask that you pay for your own passport and immunizations. We will not refund expenses for postage, supplies, passports, immunizations or doctor’s visits.

Am I raising money for myself or my team?

You are working as a team to raise support, but money donated to you for your trip will first and foremost go to your basic trip cost. Any additional money will spill over into your team fundraising and to Global Partnership trips overall.

Can I apply for a scholarship?

Yes! Limited scholarships are available for students who have limited networks or serious financial need. This money is pulled from a grant and from the proceeds of the Annual Auction and other fundraising events. Maximum scholarship awards are 35% of your basic trip cost. Matching grant applications are available on-line at www.npumin.com. Apply before October 13^th for winter trips and before February 13^th for spring and summer trips. Applicants will be notified by the end of October or February on whether their grant was awarded.

What are options for individual fundraising?

We encourage students to write support letters to friends, family, and their church as soon as they are accepted to the GP trip. You should follow up with phone calls or individual visits to those you have written. Other options for fundraising include Equal Exchange coffee products fundraiser, donating items to the GP auction, or working for donations (i.e. cleaning apartments, gardening, tutoring, selling art or baked goods, etc.) Be creative and involve God and others in your brainstorming on how you can raise money.

What is a matching grant?

A matching grant is a scholarship that increases as you raise money. For each dollar donated to your trip, we will double or match the amount. We have decided to do scholarships this way to encourage students to raise support in other ways as well.

How does the GP Auction work?

This year the auction fundraising will go primarily to winter trips, since it will happen in November. Participants donate items to the auction, and receive half of the proceeds from their items. The other half goes to your team. Leaders and advisors for spring and summer trips will also be able to participate. This gives winter participants the opportunity to receive donations that aren’t financial—such as hockey tickets, piano lessons, sports equipment, and other valuable items we can auction off. It also encourages creativity and ingenuity of participants.

Will my team do fundraisers?

Many teams choose to do a team specific fundraiser to help raise money. If you and other team members are interested and in need of all the help you can get, please talk to your team leader and share creative ideas! GP also encourages team members to be generous and give to others on their team. (You probably have more money in your pockets and in your couch cushions than you realize.)

What happens if I raise money over my trip basic cost?

All donations will first be applied to your basic team cost. Support raised above your basic trip cost will be applied as follows:

1. Since you are raising money as a team, any additional monies will be applied to other team members on your team who are not as successful in their fundraising efforts.

2. If any additional monies raised still remain, they will then help students on other GP teams.

Are there any special scholarships for leaders?

• After paying for 10% of the trip, leaders will receive a leadership scholarship of 10% off their trip costs.
• GP leaders may be awarded another 10% of their trip costs (or up to $100 for domestic trips) if they get in all paperwork for the team, attend regular meetings, and follow through with assigned responsibilities. This scholarship will be awarded at least a month before travel.
• GP leaders could potentially receive another 25% for recruiting a seminary student to participate in their trip.
• GP leaders are also eligible for the matching grant and auction scholarships.

Do advisors need to pay for their trip?

All participants pay for their trips, including leaders and advisors. However, there are grants available through the seminary for seminary students. Advisors can receive up to 85% off their trip, and seminary participants can receive up to 50% off their trip. Go to www.npumin.com to apply for the grant. All staff, faculty, alumni and graduate students are expected to raise the full amount for the trip. We do encourage you to ask your department if they would like to donate to the trip, but we don’t have money set aside for advisors.

Do leaders have any special responsibilities towards their team in regards to fundraising?

Yes, leaders are responsible to make sure all participants pay for their trip. Participants will not be able to go on the trip without paying. It is important that leaders enforce the payment plan, as mentioned at the beginning of the FAQs. It is important that leaders select participants that are both willing and able to pay/fundraise for their trip. If leaders choose participants that have difficulty fundraising, leaders should offer extra support to that person by encouraging them to apply for the scholarships, write letters, and encourage the team to raise money for the team, and not just individually.

What if I am raising support and I am still under the balance I need at the time of departure?

All money for your trip is due before you leave. We really hope and pray that God will provide the money you need. This can happen in various ways:

1) If you are working, consider asking for additional hours for a period of time.

2) Think about how you spend money. Is there anything you can forgo? Such as a coffee, new clothes, nights out on the town? Brainstorm ways you can save money.

3) It is possible that another team member (from your team or another team) may have an excess amount that can be applied toward your balance.

4) If several of your team members are having trouble with fundraising, you may want to consider doing a team specific fundraiser (talk to your trip leader).

5) Is Christmas or your birthday coming up? Consider asking for money to go towards your mission trip.

6) If friends and family are not interested in donating money, ask them to donate items, time or talent to the GP auction.

7) Apply for NPU’s matching grant at www.npumin.com

8) Follow the time line. We have set up a three tiered payment plan to help you reach your goals in a timely manner.

9) The Bottom Line: The Trip Needs To Be Paid In Full Prior To Departure. NPU is a non-profit organization, so we need the trip to be paid in full prior to departure. Therefore, we ask that all trip participants write a check to cover the remaining balance due at their final team meeting.

What happens if I can no longer go on the trip (financial consequences)?

Obviously, we would want anyone who committed to a team to fulfill their commitment and participate. However, situations have arisen where this is not possible and we try our best to extend grace for extenuating circumstances. If a student withdraws before anything has been purchased, they will be refunded for any monies except costs figured in that team members split (i.e. van gas) and it is too late to have another student take your spot.

However, students are responsible for any non-refundable expenses that have been purchased such as airfare, organization fees, international travel insurance, etc. even if they must cancel for illness, a death in the family, or a timing conflict as NPU is a non-profit organization.