Genesis Ministries

[Logan King]

Meeting at Esther House
01/22/2007


David McFee spoke with us. He is financial manager for Peoria Rescue Mission. The following is information he gave us regarding PRM and finances.

70% of their donations come from Individuals, 30% from churches.
Church contributions are small.
Individuals are the Bulk of their financial structure.
Business contributions are small.
Estates are few, but lucrative.

In their database they have 220 churches that are contributors. If the churches include us in their budget then individuals in the church are less likely to give. Encouragement needs to be given for individuals at the churches. This is where most money comes from.

Special offerings are really great for “surge” giving. Things like: Thanksgiving offering, Christmas Offering, Mother's Day offering, etc.

Involving churches is great PR.

There must be lots of media exposure – Radio, TV, Newspaper, other.

Women's mission groups are great for special projects.

A newsletter is a great PR tool and a MUST.

THE BEST DONOR IS AN EDUCATED DONOR.

We must have a face out front. All local radio,m newspaper, churches, SENIORS GROUPS (FROM THESE COME THE BULK OF THE $$).

A great program is to have a Seniors Breakfast – perhaps a conglomerate from various church groups.

It is vital that the person(s) seeking funds before groups or individuals is able to paint a picture of what is happening in the ministry. What it is about, who is served, how it's going to happen, etc.

IRA's:

If a person is over 70 ½ years old they can give 10% of their withdrawal to charity. These are gifts that are in the thousands of dollars. Need to find a financial person who is savvy to the laws. When seniors are approached and don't know how to do this then we refer them to this financial person. A selling point for the financial person is to introduce the senior as a potential client for the financial person.

The software they use is from ACS from North Carolina.

Often churches will sponsor a resident, or portion of a resident's upkeep.

Financially, we need to have a voluntary audit in order to show responsibility to our givers and possible givers. This needs to be a part of our financial giving brochure.

Before we open we need to have 4 months support for each resident and for staff BEFORE we open our doors. This money needs to be set back ALL THE TIME in case of short falls.

DON'T BECOME DONOR DEPENDENT. IF THE DONOR STOPS GIVING, OR REDUCES, THEN WE ARE HURTING.

The are covered by PRM is West to Galesburg, North to Henry, Almost to Bloomington, A lot of giving is coming from East of the river.


IMPERATIVES!!!!!!

1.Thank you letters and receipting is immediate!!!! Must be done within 24 hours. The Board Chairman, Director needs to sign these and add notes/comments.

2.1st time donors --- a phone call plus receipt and an offer to visit needs to come from the Board Chairman, or Director. THIS INCREASES CONTINUED GIFTING BY AT LEAST 40%.
3.David's phone number: 217-671-6416 ask for him.
4.David is going to send me budget categories, etc. And contact information for ACS software.

[Marge Iden]

The ladies who talked to us thought we needed to wait at least until June to open because of our need to have programming, staffing and finances in place. (I believe we could get programming, and staffing quickly... finances will probably take more time -- a catch 22)

They have only one interview for admission; however, all the papers must be filled out by the time of the interview.

They require a 6 month commitment.

They have request forms for going off campus, using computer, using the phone, missing meetings, having visitors, etc. More than one staff member must agree before permission is given. A resident may have her car on campus; however, permission must be received to use it.

Chore schedules are posted every week. Unusual chores are given as a consequence for rules infractions.

The residents are given access to computers for classwork. Many text books are now on CD's which require the use of a computer. Computer time is limited, and the computer room is locked after a certain hour at night. They expect to need laptops soon.

They give residents grace for infractions; although there is a limit. Some have even returned after leaving. (Note: This is also true of Oblong Children's Christian Home)

The relief person for Daisy should be the same all the time if at all possible; because, the residents need to have a relationship with that person as well as Daisy. They have one staff person who works 2:00-10:00 some days to give the Resident Coordinator relief, as well. They have a separate room for the relief RC.

There is a need right away for someone to answer the telephone and be able to answer questions from possible donors as well as possible residents.

It is important that the residents be given the responsibility to get things done without someone standing over them. Prison and Rehab both structure schedules; and residents need to be able to do things on their own. There are spots in the schedule at Esther House when the residents are on their own to do their duties...consequences (see above) are given for not fulfilling these.