Fundraising Support Letter - Forward Edge

Cart 0

THE FORWARD EDGE Blog

Fundraising Support Letter

Letters are vital to raising support for your mission trip.

If you have to choose between letters and events, choose letters. Here’s why:

They work. People love to see others serve, and they will respond. Even if they might not go themselves, they can be a part of your experience. Send it to Christians and non-Christians alike. Share WHY this cause is important to you – WHY you want to go on this trip.
It’s not just about money. It’s about prayer support. This is absolutely necessary. Any trip that has a spiritual component will have spiritual opposition and requires a good prayer support team!
They’re wonderful faith builders. As team members see God provide both prayer and financial support (often times in the most unexpected people!), their faith grows and they go on the trip very aware that they’re supposed to be there.

Practical Thoughts on Letter Writing

Don’t beat around the bush. You know why you’re writing. They know why, too. Get to it.
Make it personal. Tell about what’s been going on in your life. Share from the heart. And even though we provide a sample letter, be sure your letter sounds like it’s from you. Keep it personal and in your own voice.
Have somebody read it over for you. Spell-check it. Basically, do an excellent job.
Let them know exactly what you’ll be doing (as much as you know) and WHY!
Ask for both prayer and financial support. Give specific prayer items (maybe you want to make a daily prayer list, asking for specific requests for each day. This encourages daily prayer.)
Provide a return envelope with a stamp already on it. This will cost you a bit, but it encourages a response.
Blog before, during, and after your trip. Or provide your email address if they want updates along the way. And add posts or write emails regularly. That’ll get them engaged.
Take a step beyond a blog and create a crowdfunding page. You can use someone like Pure Charity, Crowdrise or GoFundMe.
Find out if it’s okay to send letters to people within the church (only applicable if you’re sending on behalf of the church to people with whom you are NOT acquainted). Most likely you’ll just be sending to family and friends.
Send lots of letters.
Send a follow-up postcard or thank you note to those who’ve indicated they’re going to support you for your trip, letting people know where you’re at, and tell them that if they forgot or would still like to support you, it’s not too late! Immediately send a thank you note when you receive the money or their response.
Send a follow-up letter upon your return. Share your experience and how they helped make it possible.

SAMPLE LETTER

<DATE>

Dear <NAME OF RECIPIENT>,

<TELL A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT’S GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW>. Because of your important role in my life, I’d like to share with you about a great opportunity that I believe God is leading me to – an opportunity to serve people in <DESTINATION> on a short-term mission trip. That’s why I’m writing…I’d love for you to be a financial and prayer partner in this mission with me.

For the past few weeks and months, I have been thinking and praying about going on a mission trip to <DESTINATION> with <GROUP NAME>. I believe this is a new step that God is asking me to make. I am excited for all that I will learn in the months leading up to the trip, during the trip, and after I return home. I believe God is going to “do a good work in me” as a result of this incredible opportunity.

<GROUP NAME> is traveling with a missions and relief organization, Forward Edge International, to our final
destination: <DESTINATION>. Forward Edge International offers complete logistical coordination for our team, on-site support, and connects us with invaluable partners in <DESTINATION>. They have worked with local churches in <DESTINATION>, developed relationships and gained acceptance among the community there. I am excited for the opportunity to serve with Forward Edge.

My team from <GROUP NAME> will spend most of our time focused on <PEOPLE GROUP OF DESTINATION>.
Above all, we are devoted to serving the local people and developing relationships with them! This was Christ’s model for evangelism and we are excited to be a part of the Great Commission in <DESTINATION>. Additionally, our team will be <NAME SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES OR MINISTRIES YOUR GROUP WILL BE DOING>.

I am very excited to be a part of this team! As I prepare for the trip, I need your prayers for safety and God to work in and through me, and I want to humbly ask you to consider supporting me financially. The cost of the trip is <COST>. Any amount would be great, but if you would be willing to contribute $20, $50, $100 or more, it would really help me to reach my goal!

Please prayerfully consider how you would be willing to support me during this trip—either through prayer, financial support or both. All donations are tax-deductible and directions for financial contributions can be found below. Thank you for partnering with me and supporting me as I prepare for this adventure! I look forward to letting you know how the trip impacted my life when I return!

Blessings,

<YOUR NAME>

Download this resource as a FREE PDF to use whenever you need!

Plus bonus group fundraising ideas!

help children

Free To Love

When you think of the word freedom, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Free speech? Pickets and rallies? How about a soldier in uniform, fireworks, or even the American flag? As Westerners, the idea of freedom often leads us to the rights of every individual. Because every

photography

4 Tips for Taking Photos on the Mission Field

The Forward Edge Blog In many ways, photography can be a vivid part of your ministry on the mission field. It can be used to break down cultural walls, build relationships, display respect, support team members, and share important aspects of a ministry with the outside world. Here are four tips

living on mission

Growing Through Trials in 5 Practical Ways

Though generally joy-filled, one of the difficult aspects of the Christian life are the troubles we encounter in the midst of following and trusting God. Jesus and the apostles tell us in God’s Word that this will be a common experience for us, and it raises the question of how

community development

Why We Should Involve Children in Development

In his book, “Empowering Children”, former Forward Edge board member, Dr. Ravi Jayakaran, shares the importance of involving children in the process of their own development. When a community invests its resources in its children, it invests in its own future. Just as Forward Edge values all children and believes

forward_edge

Connecting the global church through vulnerable children’s programs, community development, and short-term mission trips

Last month, the children at our program in Kenya w

Last month, the children at our program in Kenya went on a very special field trip. It was an opportunity for them to have cultural and educational experiences they would have never had the opportunity to have otherwise. They went to an animal park, watched a traditional Maasai dance performance at Nairobi National Park, and visited the capital city where they learned about their government, saw Kenyan freedom fighters’ statues and the central business area. Their day ended by having fun at an amusement park and eating lunch together. We're so grateful for partners like you who make special opportunities like this possible!

"You have been an immense source of strength and c

"You have been an immense source of strength and courage for me during this tough phase. I cannot thank you enough for ensuring I finish my education without any hurdles. Being a part of a college was just a dream to me until you entered my life. I am the only person in my family to get such an opportunity. None of this would have been possible without your constant support and guidance. I shall forever be grateful for you."

This was part of a letter a sponsor received recently from their sponsored child in Uganda. Praise God for the life-changing relationships built through sponsorship!

We have so much to thank God for as we look back o

We have so much to thank God for as we look back on all that He's made possible in our children's program in Haiti. Here are some highlights from last year:

-250 children met every Saturday to eat breakfast & learn from the Bible
-Materials were provided for the Kids Club discipleship training
-100 children received vocational training and meals during the summer
-58 children had their school tuition paid for
-200 families were given food & health assistance after the earthquake
-2 homes were rebuilt & 3 homes were repaired after the earthquake
-A concrete building was built to facilitate feeding the children
-Christmas gifts were given to 250 children

Our leaders in Haiti shared, "Forward Edge's supporters give with love, compassion and great generosity. You are very concerned about the well-being of our children. We will always be grateful to you. Once again, many thanks for all you have done."

"For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup

"For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward."
-Mark 9:41

We want to make sure those in our community and in our families, may thrive while we are together and after we pass. We nourish seeds of faith with acts of faith. Today, please consider an act of faith that could bear fruit for generations.

We’ve partnered with PhilanthroCorp to offer their free legacy planning services to any of our members who wish to use them. PhilanthroCorp is a Christian organization that empowers believers to maximize their impact in the present and the future. There are no minimum requirements to receive their services, and people of every level of wealth, position, and family situation can benefit from their council.

And if you include Forward Edge in your plans, we will benefit in the most profound way, even as you shine your light and provide spiritual refreshment for your family, well into the future.

Please consider making an appointment to speak with one of the caring, expert legacy planners at PhilanthroCorp today. Visit the link in bio to learn more.

Load More… Follow us on Instagram

Transform a Child's Life Through Sponsorship

Habari (hello), my name is Lucia

Kenya
15 yrs. old

04-03-2007

Entered the program: May 2018

Lucia lives with her parents and three brothers in a small sheet metal house with no water; they fetch water from a borehole. The home does not have a toilet so the family shares a community pit latrine with their neighbors. Lucia’s family moved to Kijabe in 2007 after being displaced from their home due to post election violence. The family sometimes lives on less than a dollar a day because the parents are casual laborers and often don’t have work.

Lucia's little cousin, Nelson, is also in the Mama Beth program.