Why don’t you ask for money?
OMF International’s policy is that we show our trust in God’s provision by praying for our support rather than making direct appeals. We will make our financial needs known, but we will not make direct appeals for money. For more information about OMF International's financial policy, please read this pamphlet.
What are your financial needs?
Our initial yearly support figure (calculated in 2010) was US $85,551, or US $7,129 per month which was based on an exchange rate when 1 USD was about 94 JPY. In 2012, 1 USD dropped below 76 JPY which meant our total support figure had jumped to over $100,000. 2013 averaged about 1 USD to 100 JPY. So in short, depending on the exchange rate, our financial needs can be between $70,000 and $100,000.
Do one time gifts help?
Yes. One time gifts help fill the gap created by people who have pledged but for some reason or another scale back their giving or stop altogether.
What is a pledge? How long does it last?
A pledge is your commitment to give a certain amount, usually monthly, for our 5 year term—4 years in Japan, and one year of home assignment. After our first term ends in July of 2016, we would like to ask you to recommit to another 5 year term. If you have made a pledge for our first term and want to continue your pledge to our second term, then you can simply let us know.
How do I make a pledge?
You can choose one of three options.
- In person: just tell us by email or phone call or whatever works.
- Through OMF by snail mail: fill out and mail one of our commitment cards. If you don't have one, ask us, and we'll send you one.
- Through our OMF partner hub website.
Simply give us a call, email, skype, letter, or whatever works for you to let us know! Alternatively, you can go through our OMF partner hub website.
Is there an automatic donation plan (ADP)?
Yes. You can sign up to have your monthly pledge automatically deducted from your bank account. You can get more information or download an enrollment form if you are interested. Unless you inform your bank to stop, the ADP will automatically continue into our next term of service.
How do I make a donation?
To make a one-time donation or fulfill your pledge, you may sign up for the automatic donation plan, or just send a check, payable to OMF International, with a separate note indicating that your donation is preferenced for the ministry of Keith and Celia Olson in Japan. Then mail your check to
OMF International
Donations Department
10 W. Dry Creek Circle,
Littleton, CO 80120
You may also give by credit card on our OMF partner hub website. However, there is a 3.7% fee to cover the cost of the credit card transaction, so giving via check or the automatic donation plan is much more cost effective.
I live in Canada. Can I give towards your ministry via OMF in Canada?
Yes, more information is at OMF Canada giving information. If you want to make a pledge, then please contact us or the OMF US office (donations@omf.org) to let us know what amount you want to pledge. You may send your donation directly to OMF Canada; checks should be made out to OMF International with a separate note attached which says: “Preferenced for Keith and Celia Olson, missionaries who are being sent from the US.” You can send your check to
OMF International
5155 Spectrum Way, Building 21
Mississauga, Ontario L4W 5A1
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Yes; in the US and Canada, gifts are tax-deductible.
I can’t give now. Are there other ways I can help?
Absolutely. You can pray for us. We also have an entire page of ways to get involved in our ministry. If you would like to sign up for our newsletter or pledge to be a prayer partner, you can join our prayer team at our OMF partner hub website or just send us an email saying you would like our prayer updates.
Who can I contact with further questions?
You are welcome to contact the OMF donations department directly: 1-800-422-5330 ext. 242 or donations {at} omf.org. (Use @ instead of {at})
