Raising support can be awkward, especially if you’ve never done it before. The main thing understand and remember is:
- Support raising gives others the opportunity to also be a part of missions, and your trip in particular.
- Support raising gives God the opportunity to bless and confirm your calling through the gifts and prayers of others.
There are many ways to raise support (car washes, bake sales, etc.), but the most common is the PERSONAL SUPPORT LETTER. You can also distribute support letters through email, use an online crowd-funding service, print and mail out hard copies, or even hand-deliver them. Regardless of which method(s) you use, let’s walk through the three basic steps for getting it done:
Step 1 – The List
Compile a list of names of friends, family, co-workers, fellow church members, etc. Collect emails and/or mailing addresses for each name. Most people can come up with 30 – 50 names. If not, grab a cup of coffee, go back, think harder and reach a little further.
Step 2 – The Letter
An effective personal fundraising letter should be brief (200-300 words), broken into 3-5 short paragraphs and include the following:
- Introduce yourself by sharing briefly what your life has been like recently (school, work, family, etc.).
- How God has been leading/calling you to go on this particular mission.
- Where you are going, when you are going, and who you are going with.
- What you and your team will be doing on the trip. What you hope to accomplish.
- How much you need to raise and when funds are due.
- Close by thanking readers for their prayers and support.
Don’t get preachy, and don’t get too detailed. Most people who support you will do so because of their personal relationship with you, not because of where you’re going or what you’re going to do on your mission.
Step 3 – Share It
If you are using an online service to raise support, you are done with most of the hard work at this point. Just click and share your online fundraising page via email or Facebook, or post a link on your blog site if you have one. If you are mailing out hardcopy newsletters, – be sure to hand-address each sending envelope and include a pre-addressed return envelope. Computer-printed labels and envelopes are too easily mistaken for junk mail.
Hope this helps. Just remember, by raising support you’re giving many others who can’t “go” a chance to participate.
Blessings! Visit www.missionminder.com to raise funds easily.
