WHY DO YOU FUNDRAISE?

That’s simple, without fundraising we get zero dollars. PAOC, our sending organization, does not pay or cover ministry expenses.

Follow up question: why do we choose to go with an organization that doesn’t pay you?

Great question. PAOC may not pay our way, but it provides administrative covering, training, accountability, strength in numbers (this is everything from community to group health benefits), and assistance in times of crisis (the world can be unstable). You feel things in a deeper way when separated from your home country. We don’t want to do it alone.

WHY DO YOU DO YOUR OWN FUNDRAISING?

Generosity and donations are the life blood of charities. All charities require financial donations to operate. Large organizations will have paid, dedicated fundraisers and then pay their staff salary so that most employees have nothing to do with fundraising. We work for a medium sized organization where hiring dedicated fundraisers would not be the best use of your dollars.

So we could work for a different organization and get paid a salary, but either way someone is doing the fundraising. Fundraising can be a lot of work, but we believe it is worth it.

HOW DOES FUNDRAISING IMPACT YOU PERSONALLY?

It feels vulnerable at times as you put yourselves, your family, and your vision out there for others to evaluate and possibly reject. That was a real challenge in the early years. Being more seasoned comes with no guarantees of funding. It drives dependency on God in powerful ways.

Fundraising is a lot of work. Calls, meetings, speaking engagements, reporting, social media, and very full travel schedules are part of the deal. We fundraise in addition to our work and ministry. We had someone say, “if you don’t have time for your supporters then you don’t deserve their dollars”. Relationship comes with a cost and we’re willing to embrace that not just for the funds but for the connections they bring.

That brings us to our core understanding of fundraising: it is a connector. Because we have your dollars, we also have your attention. We want to make the most of both.

We get to represent you in a part of the world you may never step foot in. That’s an honour. We also get to connect you to the people and stories in our world. So whether you are acting on the belief that God has a heart for all of humanity or are trying to be a good global citizen, we are privileged to be a part of that with you. It’s speak of synergy rather than sucking dry.

WHY SHARED FUNDING AS A MODEL?

Before Shared Funding, the PAOC used a Central Funding model. Global Workers had their pay and expenses managed by Head Office and did not fundraise their own budgets. Charities around the world began to realize that there was greater potential in opening funding to the masses (just look at the growth of crowdfunding sites). Since moving to Shared Funding, the number of dollars and Global Workers has grown steadily. People want to invest in people and not just organizational pots.

The idea for Shared Funding can be traced back to Biblical times when Christian communities would collect funds to support their traveling workers, feed the disenfranchised, and help grow other Christian communities. There was even a hybrid model of fundraising and working (you might hear the term “tent making”). So Shared Funding is not a new idea.

WILL I GET A TAX RECEIPT?

YES!

Canadian residents receive a tax receipt for donations made through the PAOC.

American residents receive a tax receipt for donations made through RPEC International.

HOW IS MY MONEY USED?

The funds that come into our account are distributed according to our budgets, both work and personal. These include:

• Thai staff salaries
• Imagine Thailand operations
• rent and utilities
• our personal salary
• work related travel
• ongoing training and skills development (language, culture, professional skills)
• schooling for the kids

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Every Global Worker is responsible to prepare an annual detailed work and personal budget which is reviewed and approved by both a Regional Director (who lives in the region and knows the realities of life on the ground) and a team at PAOC Head Office. Donations made towards a Global Worker go into their approved budget.

Funds are distributed by PAOC either on a monthly basis or as needed depending on the budget item. Funds will not be given for as needed items if we haven’t raised it or if it deviates greatly from the budget.

As with most charities, the PAOC retains an administrative fee from the funds we raise to cover operating costs.

Global Workers are considered Factual Residents of Canada and we continue to pay taxes.

HOW DO I KNOW MY MONEY IS BEING USED EFFECTIVELY?

In addition to the collaborative budgeting process mentioned above (which puts our budgets under scrutiny at least every year), the PAOC and RPEC International are registered charities which comply with CRA and IRS guidelines. Additionally, Global Workers are required to keep detailed receipts to account for funds (there’s a lot of governing bodies who could audit us).

Our relationship with you is key. We send monthly updates, blog, and are on social media because it is a form of reporting and accountability. You’ve entrusted us with funds and we feel the weight of that.

Most crucial is our belief that we are ultimately accountable to God. That’ll keep you faithful!