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>

community

Pilau with Beef Recipe from Kenya

Pilau with beef is a traditional and iconic dish in Kenyan cuisine. It’s often served during special occasions and celebrations such as weddings, birthdays, and holidays. But we have found it to make for an amazing dinner any time of the week. There is much to celebrate at our program

Go to Blog »
christian ministry

Pearl Partner Spotlight: Cuba

As a kid growing up in the late 1990’s, I idolized my favorite athletes of the day. I cut out their pictures from the newspaper or Sports Illustrated for Kids and hung them on the walls of my bedroom. When I played baseball, I mimicked Derek Jeter’s batting stance. When

Go to Blog »
post mission trip

Continuing Your Mission Back Home

I’m home from a life-changing mission trip. Now what? A short-term mission trip is an intense experience, in more ways than one. In the space of a week to 10 days, you’re immersed with a new group of people, develop a routine and learn new tasks and skills. You’ve also

Go to Blog »
christian

Sell a Home, Save a child: Members on mission in Oaxaca

Sell a Home, Save a Child (SAHSAC) Member Troy Daniels, accompanied by his business partner Veronica, joined us on a mission trip to our Mexico children’s program, Trigo y Miel and the Siloé school, to witness the direct impact of his contributions. In our interview, he shared his experience, his

Go to Blog »
Transform a Child's Life Through Sponsorship

Gyebaleki (hello), my name is Joshua

  • location

    Uganda

  • 12 yrs. old

    03-03-2013

Entered the program: January 2019

Joshua lives with his parents, little brother and sister in a three-bedroom house. They use solar power for lighting, and cook with firewood. Water is accessed from a water tank which is behind the house and filled from a spring which is far from home.

Joshua’s mother is a kindergarten teacher and weaves mats which she sells, and his dad is a mechanic who travels to find work. The family also raises pigs and chickens to sell.

Sponsorship Level What's this?

Three $38 sponsorships are needed to cover the complete holistic care of one child. Cover one, two, or three sponsorships.