Summer Missionary Assistance Program Guide
Financial Assistance for Summer Missionaries
Follow the steps below to participate in One Hope Canada’s Summer Missionary Assistance Program.
Questions? Email smap@onehopecanada.ca or call 1-888-960-2580.
Step One
Apply to SMAP
Fill out the summer application form and email it to: smap@onehopecanada.ca. Don’t forget to also fill out and send in your TD1 forms (find more information in the FAQ section below.)
Step Two
Build Your Support Team
Compile a list of names and addresses. You will invite these people to join your support team. You can take One Hope Canada’s 20-minute online course to learn the best way to build a contact list, write a short letter, and how to share it with family and friends.
Once we receive and process your SMAP application we will email you a personalized support letter with a response form that you can print and send to your family and friends. Follow up with a phone call, text, or email to confirm they received the letter and offer to answer any questions.
Step Three
Communicate with Your Support Team
You will be provided with a list of the donors who have contributed to SMAP on your behalf. Best practice: send your donors a thank you note or phone call within a week of receiving that information.
Throughout the summer, send regular updates and prayer requests to your supporters and let them know how you are doing. They are an important part of your team!
Please note: all SMAP donations must be received prior to August 15.
FAQ
SMAP gives you the tools to fundraise on behalf of One Hope Canada for the SMAP Fund. One Hope Canada can then, in turn, hire summer missionaries through our participating ministry points (camps and community ministries) because of the fundraising that you and others have done for the SMAP Fund.
There is no limit to how much you can fundraise, but there IS a maximum allowable limit for how much you can personally receive via SMAP funding. This limit is based on your position, level of experience, and number of weeks you serve. Something else to keep in mind: if your camp pays you a wage, that amount counts toward the total you are allowed to receive.
Please refer to this rate chart (also found in the SMAP How-To Guide / PAME – Guide du Programme) for the maximum allowable limits. If you raise more funds than your maximum allowable limit, those donations remain with your camp to support further ministry.
Example 1: Assistant Programmer Joe is eligible to receive a maximum of $994/week through SMAP. He works four weeks, and is eligible to receive a total of $3,976. Joe’s donors give $4,500 toward his support. Joe receives the full amount for which he qualifies*, and the remainder ($524) stays with the camp for further ministry.
Example 2: Assistant Programmer Maria is eligible to receive a maximum of $994/week through SMAP. She works four weeks and is eligible to receive a total of $3,976. She also receives a wage of $500/week from her camp. Maria’s donors give $4,500 toward her support. Over four weeks, she receives $2,000 from her camp wage and $1,976 from SMAP funds to reach the maximum limit for which she qualifies*. The remainder that she fundraised ($2,524) remains with the camp for further ministry.
Example 3: Assistant Programmer Fred is eligible to receive a maximum of $994/week through SMAP. He works four weeks, and is eligible to receive a total of $3,976. Fred’s donors give $2,000 toward his support. Fred receives the full $2,000*, as it does not exceed the amount for which he qualifies.
Each camp decides how to distribute SMAP funds. Please speak to your camp director for more details, or call our office at 1-888-960-2580.
*not including payroll deductions
All funds are processed centrally at our Winnipeg office. These funds will be processed as regular payroll with payroll deductions taken off.
All SMAP donations must be received by August 15 so this processing can take place.
To be considered for SMAP, you must meet the following age requirements before you begin with One Hope Canada:
Quebec and Nova Scotia – you must be 14 years old;
British Columbia and Alberta – you must be 15 years old; and
All other provinces – you must be 16 years old.
You must serve a minimum of 4 weeks to qualify for this program. The weeks do not need to be consecutive, but do need to be served during the summer camp season.
Right away! Start as soon as possible with building your support team. We will help you by providing a personalized support letter and response cards. Encourage your support team to jump on board early with their prayers and support. Remember: all SMAP donations must be received by August 15.
Once you have finished your summer, be sure you report back to them. It is a team, after all, and they want to feel they are a part of it!
Supporters may give their gift online, call our office at 1-888-960-2580 to speak with a member of our finance team in person, or send their gift via the mail using a giving slip we will provide when you apply for the program.