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| | | Forum Newbie
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| | Hello everyone! I'm the one who posted about a month ago about being new to this stuff. So here I am again asking for help. There is a very strong possibility our Youth Ministry program will be receiving a large sum of money from a Grant program. We're estimating around $5000. (WOW!) We are very excited about the opportunities this might hold for us. There's just one problem. How do we spend this? In the application we must state how we would like to use the money. My question is this....What sorts of things would you do with your groups if money was no object? Should we purchase curriculum? Should we take a trip? How about A/V equipment? Or some other type of equipment? Another issue arises as I write this posting....the pastor wants a list by Saturday 12:00 PM. That's less than 48 hours. All ideas and advice is welcome. Thanks for all of your support! God is good....all the time! Mackenzie |
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| | | Forum Guru
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| Mackenzie,
First, congratulations!!!! That is so awesome you and your ministry are receiving such an awesome gift! Second, what are your needs? Do you have an annual budget? Next what are your dreams?
The great part about the grant is it is free money. The challenge is it is sent to God because He trusts you with it. I would encourage you not to buy curriculum. That should come from a budget, church's or youth ministries. Go for something you have really wanted, that you can use in the near future that you thought never possible. Dream big because now you can right the check for it!!!
Matt McCage
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| I agree that you should not buy anything that is part of a standard budget (if you have one). If I was still working with our youth I would definitely invest a major part of it in something beneficial to the them both spiritually and psychologically like a Missions Trip or Community Outreach. Also, using some of it to purchase items that would be of a blessing to the less fortunate would encourage the youth to GIVE and SHARE the blessings of the Lord. Of course with that kind of money I would personally have my long dreamed of EXTREME VBS! 
Partnering with parents to "TRAIN" up our children in the way they should go! |
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| I'd think about what could be used for more than one group. For instance, a trip would only directly benefit those who go, but a sound system or laptop and projector would benefit kids and your ministry for years to come. I'd probably use it to do some major redecoration and overhaul of a youth room and spend a bunch on outreach as well. TV Commercials anyone? LOL
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| I am for the Youth Room renovation if there is need in that area. Is there a TV/DVD/VCR in that room? If so, is it time to update? How about a popcorn machine? Need new furniture? Do the walls need painting? Would the grant for an updated youth room include items such as games (Bible Trivia, etc.) or bibles or paper and pencil supplies?
- Adrianne
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| | Thanks for the great ideas. I never would have thought about a TV commercial! For those of you who didn't read my previous posting, this is a brand new ministry. We are leading youth in a church where there have been no youth before. God has blessed our congregations (2 churches are involved) with a list of 35 possible youth, and we are excited! So, when you say redecoration or overhauling, we need to create a space before we can even decorate! Can you believe it? There have been several people who have come forward with donations to give for painting and furniture. We do have a budget for curriculum supplies, so I won't be using Grant monies for that. However, I am thinking electronics right now. Love the popcorn machine idea! Thank you so much everyone! Lots of Christian love and prayers for your ministries! Mackenzie |
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| | I would recommend a laptop or computer to access the Internet and use the Internet in teaching (godtube.com, etc) and entertaining (we use Pandora.com for random Christian music, iTunes for specific songs). You can also prepare presentations (Power Point) to use as bible studies, worship, etc. To go with the laptop/computer you will need speakers to hear it A tv and dvd/vhs player is also a bonus. Watching movies - for study or entertainment is awesome. A game or two (playstation, xbox, gamecube, etc) is also a plus. You definitely need a space to call your own! Add comfy furniture, some bean bags, a used ping pong table/air hockey/fuseball table (check craigslist.com in your area!!!) - these all go a long way in making the space a YOUTH space. Then kids want to come for the space and their friends and then they start coming for God with your leading. Hope this helps! Theresa - YD in St. Pete, FL |
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| Please do not let this sound to you like I am raining on your parade but there may be a larger concern. When you wrote your grant application you states how you would like to use the money and what the focus of your ministry is. In addition you signed it or other papers that would almost certainly have had an acknowledgment of the program grant requirements and stipulations. All of this is legally binding and before you spend one penny on anything that was not listed in that grant application as a potential use you had better be sure that fits the legal stipulations in the grant program.
Grants are not loans but they are not unrestricted donations either and if the entity granting money has any experience or even a mediocre lawyer there are limits and requirements which make it in the eyes of the law both a contract and a restricted donation. Misuse (or a use not within the defined limits or boundaries) can result in a lawsuit in which you and or your church must pay restitution and the complainants legal fees and possibly in criminal charges that can result in a very high fine and/or a period of your life spent in federal prison. Your pastor and board may not enjoy being your cell mates either.
A grant is not an elderly lady who just wants to help out, it is from a trust or 501c organization that has legal counsel, be sure not to fail to keep to the requirement. Some require audits to prove use and others even require that the funds not be a supplement or be supplemented by other funds.
That miserable bit stated, I would use a sum of money like this to provide a good base of resources for the long-term like those above, TV, DVD, Projector, Presentation and video software... If it was okay.
God Bless,
Christopher Fishell
Executive Director
Xtreme Youth Resources International
God Bless,
Christopher Fishell
Executive Director
Xtreme Youth Resources International |
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| Mackinzie,
Just checking to see how you spent the money and if you are in prison or not per the previous post?
Matt |
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