Festivals, Vans, and Funding Needs

It's hard to believe we've already come to the end of February – and I've yet to present our target budget for 2009. It's important I take some time to do that. I'm hopeful that as you better understand our vision for 2009, many of you will partner with us in funding it – no matter what the economic forecast. Before I get into the specifics of what we're asking God to provide and how it will be spent, let me first direct you to two new additions to the Abort73 website:

Education Before Legislation
Marketing Past the Stereotypes

These pages layout the framework of Abort73's entire operating strategy and give you an explanation for why we do what we do. As you consider giving, these pages will be a helpful resource. Please look them over.

For those of you who don't know, Abort73.com is a resource of Loxafamosity Ministries, a non-profit 501(c)3, education corporation. We have 2 full-time paid staffers. Our work is almost entirely funded through tax-deductible donations. In other words, every week, every month, every year, we depend upon donations to keep Abort73 going and growing. Abortion is a lucrative business; opposing it is not.

For 2009, our target operating budget calls for $148,491. I believe we'll make roughly $30,000 in Abort73 merchandise sales, which leaves us with a balance of $118,491 (or $9874 per month). That is how much we need to receive in donations.

Knowing how many potential outlets there are for your charitable giving, and knowing that stewardship is a responsibility not to be taken lightly, we post an itemized budget and updated giving reports at Abort73.com/budget. You needn't guess how Abort73 is spending the money we receive.

This year, the bulk of our expenses will be paid out in salaries ($72,000), summer festival costs ($20,000) and the purchase of a new (used) Abort73 van ($20,000). Our Events Schedule (now linked from the right side of the Abort73 navigation bar) lists all of the festivals we hope to attend this year. Lord willing, we'll be at 18 festivals, with total attendance approaching 1 million people. Because these events must be paid for up front, and because we need the van before the festivals start, the huge majority of our expenses come before May.

All that to say, these next two months of giving will be crucial for our entire 2009 schedule. Please consider responding in one of three ways:

• Consider making a one-time donation towards the purchase of an Abort73 van. This vehicle will pay for itself in 2-3 years (in the rentals it will save us) and will be a tremendous advertising outlet everywhere it goes.
   
• Consider, becoming a regular monthly donor. You can send a check in each month, or have your credit card or bank card automatically debited. When enough people give $10, $20 or $30 a month, it makes a HUGE difference!
   
• If you're involved in a student ministry, campus club or Sunday School class, consider doing a group fundraiser for Abort73 and/or making Abort73 one of your regularly supported ministries.

No matter what your situation, God can use you as an instrument of provision and grace for our ministry. You can donate through the mail by sending to the address below, or use the links above to donate online:

Loxafamosity Ministries (LMI)
PO Box 9291
Moscow, ID 83843

OTHER WAYS TO HELP ABORT73 FINANCIALLY:

Buy an Abort73 Shirt. Though their primary purpose to advertise the website, paying the suggested price (or more) for an Abort73 shirts will put some money back into the ministry.

Use our Amazon affiliate link when you buy something from Amazon.com. A small portion of the sale is donated to Abort73.

If you're an ebay seller, you can designate Abort73 to receive 10%-100% of the proceeds.

Thanks so much for your consideration and thank you to everyone who has given already. We can't do this without you!