Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana Seeking the Spirit | Building Community | Changing the World
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International Outreach Task Force

Fundraising

In the banner years, 2015-17, we raised approximately $22,000, of which $2,500 went for buying more goods in Kenya to resell in the US (which is a large part of our fundraising). The rest, $19,500, went to the three groups we then supported in Kenya: $6,500 each to the Spurgeon’s Academy, Msamaria Mwema, and the Ndethya Women’s Cooperative.

Glass blowing

Kazuri beads - cropped

Sales of jewelry, glass, and other items donated and purchased in Kenya produced over half of the total raised. Images: [Top] Glass-blowing at the Kitengela Glass Works, outside Nairobi. We sell decorative glass from this factory. [Bottom] Kazuri beads.

Sales were held at the UU Bazaar; Indiana Memorial Union; Washington, DC Cathedral School Reunion; African Studies Association Conferences, 2016 and ’17; and at Claire Robertson’s home. We are looking for other venues. In 2018 we sold  at the Monroe County Convention Center, using a UU grant of $300 to pay for the space. Some of these opportunities no longer exist, even the Conference Center in the Union. However we now have access to the church space to sell.

The IOTF holds bake sales the third Sunday of each month all year. (We could use more volunteers to host.) Bake sales produce a yielded reliable income of about $2,400 per year at that time. Due to various factors causing attrition they now yield about $1,800 per year. Many thanks to bakers and hosts! We also participate in football parking, with other Social Justice task forces. Like other task forces, we receive tax-deductible donations.

Donate to IOTF

To direct a tax-deductible donation to the International Outreach Task Force:

  • Go to our Giving page and select Social Justice Donation in the drop down menu
  • Enter the amount of your donation
  • Choose your Frequency of donation (one time or regularly/recurring)
  • Enter your contact info, then bank account or credit/debit card information
  • After donating, please forward your donation confirmation email to Amanda Waye at admin@uubloomington.org and let her know that it is a donation for IOTF. We’re working on adding labels for specific Social Justice funds; in the meantime, this is the best way to ensure your donation is appropriately designated.