So, you’ve made the decision to participate in a missions trip for the first time, but admittedly, getting everything in order can be a daunting task - even more so if there are larger dollar signs attached to it. But fear not - raising the support you need is easier than you think.
Gather Your Information
Potential supporters are going to want information regarding your trip. Think: who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Who are you going with? If you are going with an organization or a church, be prepared to explain who they are and what they are about. It would also be good to know who else will be on your team.
What will be the primary focus of your trip? Are you ministering in growing churches or working as a construction team? Are you visiting orphanages or prisons? This is primarily what supporters are going to want to hear about.
Know when and how long the trip will be. I am not very good with dates, so I make sure to write this one down somewhere for reference. Also, make sure you know where you are going - if the location is less than well known, be prepared to give some geographical context.
Explain to potential supporters why this trip is important to you. There could be many reasons for this - do you have a heart for the certain region you are visiting? Or are you passionate about the primary focus of the trip? Take some time to sit down and write them out for yourself before you talk to others about it.
Finally, be prepared to explain the “how.” What do you need to make this trip happen. Be sure to not only include your financial needs here, but also specific prayer needs. Oftentimes you will also have opportunities to gather donations for ministries in the place you are going. For example, one orphanage I visited with a team in Mexico asked us to request donations of clothes and toys for the children.
Who to Ask
The first person you approach about your trip should be your pastor. This way you can keep him in “the know.” He could also suggest opportunities you may not have realized were available. Be sure to ask him if you can make an announcement either in a bulletin or during a service to make your congregation aware of the trip. Many churches also have money in their budget designated for missions; don’t be afraid to ask about this, too.
Second, make a list of all the friends, relatives, and neighbors you can think of who would even be mildly interested in what you are doing. Don’t exclude anyone regardless of their financial position or spiritual background. You may think Uncle Jim may not have enough money to help support you, but don’t forget that you also need all the prayer support you can get. And while your neighbors might practice Islam, they may be touched by your desire to help others and put a check in your mailbox. This could also provide you with another cool ministry opportunity when you come home and share what God did during your trip!
Take all the information you wrote down earlier (who, what where, etc.) and put it together in a letter. While e-mail is quicker and more efficient, a letter is more personal and more warmly received. Be sure to include a reply card with a self-addressed and stamped envelope where they can mark a commitment to prayer and/or include a financial contribution. Also be sure to mention that anything they donate is tax deductible. Ideally, you want to get this in the mail six to eight weeks before you leave.
Other Fundraising Ideas
Besides just asking for financial and prayer support, there are plenty of creative ideas that can not only help you get where you are going, but also involve your community. Plan a dinner asking for donations per plate. Clean out your garages and have a weekend yard sale. Sell donuts and orange juice at church either before or after services. Some companies, like Krispy Kreme, even offer a discount program for non-profits. Check it out. Most importantly, just be creative, enthusiastic, and informative. Discuss with your team what kinds of events you could host to raise awareness of and support for your trip.
Followup
When all is said and done, be sure to compose another letter to all those who committed to prayer and donated to your trip. Let them know how much you appreciate their support and give them a briefing of all that happened.
Raising support doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. Do everything you can do and trust that God is going to provide all that you need.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:55 am
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