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
- Organize fund raising events within the church
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