Support Raising 

1. Cru Ministry Partner Development Site

The following link will take you to a tool that will help you get started on support raising (or, as we call it, Ministry Partner Development, or MPD). There you will find a step-by-step guide to raising support. You can log in with the email address you used for your Summer Mission application.

https://mpdtool.cru.org/authentications

2. sample letters

The following are several letters adapted from past staff and students who have been to Ocean City, NJ and other similar Summer Missions. Feel free to download and edit the sample letters, or make your own! (To download the letters, click the arrow in the upper-right corner). As you compose your letter here are a few helpful hints:

• Keep your letter to one page

• Include a photo of yourself in the letter to make it more personal

• Include your online giving account to make it easier for potential donors (if you don't know your account number, talk to sean.riley@cru.org). 

• Suggest a gift of a specific amount ("would you consider giving a gift of $100, $200 or $300?") - this may sound scary or unnatural, but it's actually very helpful to give people a ballpark idea of how much to potentially give. You are not going to pressure them to give more than they are able, but it may spark some people to give more generously.

• Don't be afraid to send letters to anyone and everyone! You never know who God will prompt to give! Most people can't leave their full time jobs or responsibilities for a summer of ministry, but they would love to be a part of what you're doing and help you get there.

• The cost of transportation to Ocean City is not included in the price of the Summer Mission. Consider calculating how much it may cost for your transportation (plane ticket, gas, etc.) and adding that into your support goal in your letter. The cost of transportation and food for the summer is reimbursable if you raise over the required $4400. 

• Include a self addressed envelope with your home or school address in your support letters. That way a person can send their support checks, made out to "Cru", back to you (at your home address or school address), and then you will submit them to Sean to be processed. See step #3 below for instructions regarding submitting support checks.

• We are here to help you! If you are feeling overwhelmed/unsure of how to proceed talk to the Cru staff on your campus or reach out to Sean, Amy or Jason. We don't want anyone to be hindered from coming this summer, and we want to trust God with you to see the support raised! 

Questions? Contact sean.riley@cru.org.

Dear Family and Friends,

I am excited to take this opportunity to tell you a little about what is going in my life as I am studying at the University of Illinois. I am a freshmen this year studying Biomedical Engineering and am thoroughly enjoying the new experiences that college is bringing.

This semester I got involved in a Christian ministry called Cru, a group on campus that focuses on forming relationships with college students and reaching out to transform our campus. Cru is an interdenominational Christian student group of about 400 students, I attend a Bible study that meets right in my dorm with about eight other girls. Since coming to school, Cru has been a major part of my time and has challenged and inspired me to grow in my faith and my walk with God.

Through Cru I have the amazing opportunity to spend my upcoming summer on a mission trip in Ocean City, NJ. I will spend 10 weeks with about 60 other college students working, growing and learning together. In the day I’ll work a “normal” summer job, and participate in ministry and spiritual leadership training at night. In addition to this I will participate in weekly large group meetings and a Bible study similar to the ones I am currently attending. Cru Summer Mission trips are a time of intense evangelistic training, designed to stretch and expand each student’s leadership and evangelistic skills, preparing them for the rest of college and ultimately their future. I sincerely hope this summer will be a great time of spiritual growth and education as I have the opportunity to share my faith with coworkers and vacationers, while also building relationships with like-minded college students from across the nation.

I can’t wait to see where God takes me this summer, however to make this unique experience possible I need the help of a team of people to support me financially. The total cost of the project is $4400 which covers the cost of housing, food, and training. In order for me to meet this goal quickly as possible I am asking that you would prayerfully consider joining my team and making a financial donation towards this cost such as $100, $200, $300 or more. However, any amount would be a greatly appreciated and welcomed as you seek the Lord’s guidance in this decision. I also ask that you could keep me in your prayers as I continue to support raise, and as I participate in this challenging, exciting endeavor.

All gifts are tax-deductible and checks should be made out to Cru. Or you can give online at give.cru.org/yournumber. Thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit more about what's going on in my life and considering joining with me in this life changing journey. Please let me know how you have been led to give by returning the response slip in the enclosed envelope. I hope this letter finds you well and I am excited to hear from you!

Trusting in Him,

Jen Smith