How to Raise Support for Your Mission Trip

TL;DR: Fundraising for a short-term mission trip should begin with prayer and clear ccommunication about the trip’s purpose. Seek support through personalized letters, church involvement, community events, sales, and service projects. Thank every donor. Invite supporters to share in the mission through prayer as well as giving.

Ideas to get financial support for short-term mission trip teams and individuals

Guiding thoughts

1. Begin by being an intercessor.
2. Devote yourself to the task. Give time to it.
3. Be confident (If God has called you, He has in mind where the resources can be found).
4. See yourself as a vision setter, not a fundraiser. Be an educator.

* -- Adapted from material by Rob Martin of the First Fruits Foundation

Fundraiser ideas based on material by Kevin Paszalek, Houston (TX) Southway Community Church

This is the short form. More details are on an expanded form

Building financial support through the mail

On average, $2500 can be raised through well-written letters sent to about 75 people who know you: family members and friends
Some groups prepare a fundraising letter in an electronic format so participants can easily personalize it [ more info ] [ sample letters ]
Spread the word widely; don't limit the letters to Christian friends and family.
Send thank-you letters for every financial gift. Sometimes, "thank you" notes will even bring follow-up financial gifts

How local churches can help come up with the needed money

Give official blessing or sanction
- Provide letters of endorsement on church stationery
- Let individuals share with the congregation in services
- Allow pleas for donations during services
- Host informational meetings about the trip
Publicize the trip
- Information in the congregation's monthly newsletter
- Inserts in the weekly church bulletin
- Call attention to those who get involved in local ministry when they return or decide to go long-term afer going on a short-term trip
Provide direct financial support
- Provide partial funding from the church budget
- Help in getting out a support raising letter
- Organizing prayer support
Organize fundraising events within the church
- Sell salvation bracelets
- Auction off 6 hours of the trip participant's time
- Hold dinner/auction of baked goods
- Auction of baked goods with pie-in-the-face
- Penny drives

Other ideas

Car Wash: Sell car wash coupons
Percentage of purchases people make through an online site
Organize dinners or dinner theaters and sell tickets
Chicken catching
Hold a giant garage/rummage sale
Sell barbecue
Organize and teach an Internet beginners' course
Sell tubs of frozen cookie dough
Find a restaurant that will donate part of the cost of a meal or provide meal
Sell restaurant restaurant meal cards
Sell discount cards
Car-hopping for tips

"Going on a short-term mission trip is an ideal way to see the world through a new set of lenses." -- Dee Kelley

The joy of giving

One story of how giving to people going on mission trips brings joy [ more ]

-- Howard Culbertson, hculbert@snu.edu

Afterword

Embarking on a short-term mission trip is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others while you yourself experience personal growth and cultural exchange. If you need of financial support to make this trip a reality, rest assured that your mission is greater than any obstacle.

Rally your community. Share your passion, and let them be part of something transformative. Whether it's reaching out to family, friends, or local organizations, don't hesitate to spread the word about your mission trip and the impact you hope the event will make.

Every contribution, no matter how small, brings you one step closer to realizing your goal. Together with others, you can make meaningful change by spreading God's love and compassion across cultural and national borders. Your commitment to serving others will inspire people to support you.