NOVEMBER 18, 2021 ·  AMY HECKMAN

This year, the NCM Christmas Project will support children caught in crisis—children who are hungry, in need of medical care, living as refugees, and studying in Nazarene schools. When your church gives to the project, all the funds you raise will help children living as refugees or in economic crises go to school regularly, have enough to eat, experience regular access to safe spaces, and more.

How can your church community unite this Christmas to let children impacted by crises know they aren’t forgotten? Keep reading for some fundraising ideas to get you started! 

Learn more about the project and give to support at ncm.org/christmas.

1. Giving Tree

Place a Christmas tree in the church foyer, and decorate with paper ornaments using the Christmas Project seal. Attach an offering envelope to the back of each ornament, then ask people to remove an ornament, insert their donation, and place in the offering plate or a decorated box beneath the tree.

2. Babysitting Night

Ask your nursery volunteers to serve for an evening event, and charge a set amount per child. Once you’ve provided a snack or craft, the rest of the funds can be donated to support the Christmas Project. Parents can use the time to shop for Christmas presents or enjoy a date night! 

3. Paint or Craft Night

Find a volunteer willing to instruct a group in how to complete a craft. Charge enough per person to cover the supplies plus extra to give to the Christmas Project (alternatively, you can also ask for donated art supplies to make it purely a fundraising event). Set up distanced tables and encourage families to attend together. This could be combined with a dessert auction or bake sale for additional donations.

4. Kids’ Coin Offerings

Similar to an Alabaster offering, have children collect coins from around their house or car and bring to church to donate. Consider placing a jar in the children’s church area and challenge the kids to fill it up by the end of December.

5. Dessert Auction

Solicit desserts from the bakers in your congregation, and pick a time to display them. If you have someone handy in the congregation, they could use the Christmas Project seal to print custom labels for each item. Hold a silent auction or find an auctioneer and make it a high-energy event!

6. “Rent a Teen”

Have your youth group offer voluntary labor services to church members (consider things like leaf raking, snow removal, babysitting, or car washing). Choose an amount per task each teen will be “paid,” but collect those funds for the project offering.

7. Dinner Fundraiser

Have teens in your youth group serve as waiters (or, for a COVID-safe takeout option, as “drive through employees”), and ask church members to cook the food. Offer a simple menu like spaghetti or chili, and donate the remaining profit from ticket sales to the Christmas Project.  

8. Christmas Bake and Craft Sale

Hold a baked goods and crafts sale of items donated for the Christmas Project. Think of things like quilts, paintings, flower arrangements, Christmas cards, and more! Consider combining this event with a dinner fundraiser or other event to raise more funds.

9. Concert or Coffeehouse Fundraiser

If your church is blessed with talented musicians, ask them to display their skills in a concert or coffeehouse. Donate the proceeds from ticket and concession sales. Leave donation baskets on the tables or at the entrance for those who want to give above and beyond the cost of entry. 

10. Virtual Event

If your congregation is prevented from gathering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, simply move your fundraiser online! Livestream a concert or worship night put on by musicians in your congregation. The audience watching can pay for a “ticket” ahead of time at the church or through online giving. Or, hold a live auction of donated food or goods, and ask winners to pick up their items (and drop off their donations) at the church the next day. 

Thank you for supporting the 2021 Christmas Project!

If your church tries any of these ideas, we’d love to know! Send us a picture through our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter: @nazcompassion) or via email.