Copy and paste these links if you would like to offer more information to your potential supporters about The Foundry and Valdosta First United Methodist Church.

http://www.theporchvaldosta.com/the-foundry-intern-program.html

http://www.valdostafirstumc.org/index.html 

Here is your important checklist to make sure you are on schedule to raise your support needed!

1. ASAP/ Write up a list of 25-30 people who you will be sending your support letter to.
2. Obtain their contact info.
3. Set deadlines for yourself to send out your support letter
   For example: May 31st you need 1/2 of your support in your account at First UMC. This means you need to give your supporters time to respond. April 2nd would be the absolute last date you would want to send out your letters. 
4. Set a deadline for your supporters to respond. Don't give them the May 31st deadline but rather a May 7th deadline so that you would have time to seek more supporters if you hadn't raised enough yet.
5. Ask your pastor if you can speak to your church or other group meetings to raise support (special offering)
6. Remind supporters that their giving is tax-deductible
7. DO NOT have supporters write checks directly to you - they would not receive a tax deduction if doing so.
8. PRAY!

Below is a sample support letter. Use this as a guide, but feel free to make changes. Highlight your desire to serve in the church, and your desire to grow spiritually. You can also add the link to the website that explains more about The Foundry and Valdosta First UMC.
Because we are in a "tech" culture some may respond to snail mail, but others may respond to email or facebook. Use what you feel would best help you to raise support. Remember to let supporters know that you will need certain amounts by May 31st and  June 29th.

Dear [insert your supporter's name]

I would like to share about an exciting opportunity I’ve been given this summer.  I have prayed about it a lot and have decided to give my summer to God by serving Him in the local church. Because of that I applied for a summer internship and was accepted! From June 1 to July 29, I will be joining a team of five other people as we learn all the ins-and-outs of ministry in the church.  We will be working with The Foundry, which is a ministry intern program of Valdosta First United Methodist Church. The Foundry’s purpose is to show young adults what ministry looks like and to give them opportunities to serve in areas and in ways they never thought they could before.  The Foundry provides young adults a life-changing experience with God that drives what we know about God from our heads to our hearts.  While with The Foundry I will have a chance to share the gospel and be intentionally discipled so I may grow in my walk with God.  I am really excited about this opportunity. A summer with The Foundry will be an experience of a lifetime.

Another reason I am serving at The Foundry is that I have a strong desire to grow in my faith.  Since The Foundry is eight weeks long I’m really looking forward to spending that time focusing on the Lord.  I’m also excited that I’ll be intentionally discipled during that time as well.

Before I leave for The Foundry on June 1st, there are two things I have to do.  First I need to find people who will agree to be my prayer partners during this internship.  Prayer is vital and by praying for me people will have a direct impact in my life and ministry.  Second, I need to raise financial support.  The cost is $1200. I intend to contribute as much as I can however I can’t do it alone.  I am seeking financial supporters who will enable me to serve God during this internship.

Would you pray about being a prayer and/or a financial supporter?  I’m seeking 12 friends who would be willing to support me with $100.  However I know this is a lot of money and that any gift you may be able to give would be greatly appreciated.  All financial gifts are tax-deductible and you would be mailed a statement at the end of the year with your financial giving information.

I am looking forward to seeing how God will work in and through me to fulfill His purpose this summer.  I also anticipate growing closer to Lord.  Your support and prayers mean a lot to me and I want to thank you for considering this. 

Yours in Christ

[insert your name]