Fundraising: Need money for a mission trip?

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 also called the resources).
4. See yourself as a vision setter, not a fund raiser. Be an educator.

Adapted from material by Rob Martin of First Fruits foundation

Fund raiser 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 the 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 fund raising 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 as a result of going short-term
Provide direct financial support
- Provide partial funding from the church budget
- Help in getting out a support raising letter
- Organizing prayer support
Organize fund raising 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 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
Sell soap and other fair trade items made by African villagers or contact info@zambiansoap.com ]

"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

Short-term missions resources Fundraising characters Getting support Sample letters PowerPoint: Fundraising

President Gresham's dream for SNU graduates Giving a year" of your life to missions