Freebies included!
As a missionary, I raised my own support. After some trial and error, I eventually raised my full monthly support. I also successfully raised over $30,000 for a project. I created this article to help missionaries avoid common mistakes, and get fully funded as fast as possible!
Develop Your Missionary Fundraising Mindset
The first step is to gain an understanding of what missionary fundraising is and what it is not. You should approach fundraising as an opportunity to invite people to join what God is doing through your ministry.
Staying motivated while raising support can be challenging if you are simply asking people for your monthly living expenses. However, it is easier if you request support for the work that God is accomplishing in the lives of the individuals that you are serving.
Read “The God Ask” by Steve Shadrach to help you gain the correct mindset. You should unapologetically give others the opportunity to join the work that God is doing through your ministry. Here is a list of missionary fundraising books that we recommend.
Build a Missionary Email List
As soon as possible start building your email list and keep sending regular email updates. Start by adding your family, friends, church groups, and pastors. An email list is the foundation of your support-raising efforts.
You should print a form for people to fill out their name, email address, and phone number. Put the form on a clipboard with a pen and whenever you speak at churches or bible studies pass around this form.
Here is a premade PDF sign-up form that is ready to print.
Track Your Supporters and Finances
It is important to keep records of your supporters and finances. Excel is the recommended software for this.
I’ve created an Excel spreadsheet that is specifically designed for missionaries. You can keep track of your supporter’s giving, see your support raised %, record emails and notes, and more.
Here is the link to the Support Raising Excel File
Start Writing Engaging Update Emails
- Think of an interesting subject line. Such as “Our Exciting Trip to the Village” rather than “January Newsletter”
- Include interesting stories
- Include pictures that illustrate the story and help the reader see what your ministry looks like
- Send Emails at suitable times, such as the mornings, or weekends when people have more time to read emails.
Go on a Missionary Vision Trip
Go on a short-term vision trip, organized by yourself or a mission organization. You will be able to experience firsthand what it is like to serve as a missionary in a different country or culture. The purpose of the trip is to help you determine if you want to become a long-term missionary. Also, your trip will play a big part when support raising.
During your vision trip make sure to take lots of pictures, you can use the pictures in your missionary newsletters and PowerPoint presentations.
Please keep your email list updated while on the field, they will be excited when you return and ready to hear about your trip.
Create a Missionary Prayer Card
A missionary prayer card is an essential part of support raising. Hand out the prayer cards whenever you share about your missionary vision.
Make sure to include your email and missionary website URL. Most missionaries also highlight a verse that encapsulates their vision. Read our article about the Top Bible Verses for Missionary Prayer Card, to help you find the best Bible verse for your ministry.
To make a professional prayer card you can read our article on the top 5 Missionary Prayer Card companies that specialize in creating missionary prayer cards.
For the DIY crowd, you can use this template on Canva. Once you are done, you can print the 4×6-inch postcard at vistaprint.com.
Create a Missionary Website
A missionary website acts like your 24/7 fundraising assistant. It can display your pictures, share your story, and directly link to your support page. It is the one place that everyone can go to find out more about you and your ministry.
MissionsWebsites.com can help you create a beautiful website for an affordable price. All you have to do is fill out a form and upload some pictures, we will do the rest! To learn more visit missionswebsites.com
Support Letter Examples
Here are some support letter templates, remember to edit the templates to personalize them to your ministry.
Missionary Support Letter Example 1
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! I trust this letter finds you well.
My family and I are excited to share that we have been called to serve as missionaries in Cambodia. We believe that God has called us to this incredible opportunity to share the love of Christ and make a meaningful impact on the lives of the people in Cambodia.
Our mission in Cambodia involves [briefly describe the mission, such as evangelism, community development, education, etc.]. We are passionate about [specific goals or projects you aim to achieve]. Through these efforts, we aim to bring hope, healing, and the message of salvation to those in need.
However, to fulfill this calling effectively, we are seeking your support. We are reaching out to our friends, family, and community to partner with us in this mission, both through prayer and financial support. Your generous contributions will enable us to cover expenses for [specific needs like travel, living expenses, ministry resources, etc.].
Any contribution, whether large or small, will make a significant difference in helping us reach our financial goals. Your support is not just an investment in our family, but an investment in spreading the Gospel and changing lives in Cambodia.
Please consider supporting us through your prayers and financial contributions. We trust that God will work through the generosity of His people to make this mission a reality.
You can support us by [mention ways to donate, such as online giving, checks, etc., along with necessary details]. Additionally, please keep us in your prayers for safety, guidance, and effectiveness in our ministry.
We are immensely grateful for your consideration and support. Your partnership in this mission means the world to us. We will keep you updated on our progress and the impact your support is making in Cambodia.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. May God richly bless you for your kindness and generosity.
In Christ’s love,
[Your Name] [Your Family’s Name]
Missionary Support Letter Example 2
Dear Beloved Friends and Supporters,
Grace and peace be unto you from our Lord Jesus Christ!
We are thrilled to share the incredible journey that God has set before us—a calling to serve as His ambassadors in Cambodia. Our hearts are stirred with compassion for the people of Cambodia, and we feel honored to have been chosen for this mission.
In the heart of Southeast Asia lies Cambodia, a land filled with rich history and beautiful souls yearning for the hope found in Christ. Our mission is multifaceted—centered on [specific objectives such as planting churches, community outreach, education, etc.]. We are committed to walking alongside the Cambodian people, sharing the Gospel, empowering communities, and nurturing hope where it is needed most.
As we embark on this life-changing expedition, we seek your partnership in prayer and support. Your prayers are indispensable; they uphold us and pave the way for God’s work to unfold in remarkable ways. Additionally, financial contributions will help cover essential expenses, including [detail specific needs like housing, language learning, ministry supplies, etc.].
We recognize that this journey is not one we embark upon alone. It is an expedition forged through unity—a partnership between us, our supporters, and the God who orchestrates it all. Your commitment to this cause—whether through prayer, financial support, or both—will be instrumental in making this mission a resounding success.
To contribute, you can [provide options for donation, such as online platforms, checks, etc., along with pertinent details]. Your generosity will make a tangible impact, creating ripples of transformation across Cambodia.
Thank you for considering joining hands with us on this profound journey. Your support is more than a donation; it is a beacon of hope to a nation hungry for the love of Christ.
We eagerly anticipate the unfolding of God’s work in Cambodia and eagerly share updates on how your partnership is transforming lives.
May God’s boundless blessings overflow in your lives as you partner with us in this divine mission.
Yours in His service,
[Your Name] [Your Family’s Name]
Make a Support Remaining Chart
Once you have a few supporters, make a support-remaining chart. This is a visual chart that displays how many people you need at different amounts to reach your fundraising goal.
We made a template that you can use for your ministry. It is an editable Canva Template
View the editable support remaining chart template here
Make a Fundraising Thermometer
As you start approaching your fundraising goal, you can display this thermometer to your supporters. Hopefully, as you get closer it will encourage the last few people to join your team.
View our editable Canva thermometer template here.
Create a Missionary PowerPoint Presentation
Make a PowerPoint presentation with a lot of pictures and minimal text. Many churches will give missionaries between 3-10 minutes to present their mission during the Sunday church service. Edit the presentation for different lengths of time.
Here are a few key points for creating and delivering an effective presentation.
- Keep it Short and Engaging: Make your pitch brief, preferably no more than 10 minutes long. The attention span of potential supporters is limited.
- Tell a Compelling Story: Use storytelling to help potential supporters understand the impact of their donations. Share personal stories of how your organization has made a difference in the lives of those you serve. This helps supporters to connect emotionally with your cause and make it more meaningful to them.
- Focus on the Benefits: Don’t emphasize the benefits to you, but instead, emphasize the benefits to the people you are ministering to.
- Be Prepared to Answer Questions: Expect questions from potential supporters and be prepared to answer them thoughtfully and confidently. Anticipate the questions that might arise and have thought-out answers ready.
- Make Your Needs Known: Clearly state your needs and give the audience an easy way to join your email newsletter and support team.
Build Relationships
Many people view fundraising primarily as “Friendraising”. People give to other people, especially if they know and trust the other person.
- Keep track of your potential and current supporters’ essential information such as birthdays, children’s names, or hobbies.
- Send personal messages
- Send an annual thank you letter
- Congratulate them when they get married, have a child, etc.
Express Gratitude to Donors
- Send Thank-You Letters: One of the simplest ways missionaries can express gratitude to their financial supporters is by sending personalized thank-you letters.
- Host Donor Appreciation Events: These events can be a simple barbeque at someone’s house or a restaurant.
- Give them small cultural gifts from the area of service.
- Tell them that the amount they give is significant and actually makes a difference in your ministry.
Missionary Support Raising Ideas
- Engage with Churches and Christian Organizations: Connect with local churches, Christian organizations, and mission agencies to establish partnerships. Attend Bible studies, church gatherings, and other events to present your mission.
- Host Fundraising Events: These can include charity auctions, benefit concerts, community dinners, or mission-themed seminars. Encourage attendees to bring their networks along to expand your reach.
- Establish Crowdfunding Campaigns: Leverage the power of online crowdfunding platforms such as GoFundMe or GiveSendGo. Craft a compelling campaign page that highlights your mission’s impact. Share the campaign with your network and encourage them to share it further.
- Seek Support from Friends and Family: Start your support-raising journey by reaching out to your closest network. Share your mission with friends, family, and colleagues who are supportive of your cause. They can contribute themselves or provide connections to potential supporters.
- Craft a Compelling Personal Story: Your personal story is a powerful tool to connect with potential supporters. Share your journey, your calling, and the reasons behind your mission work.
Missionary Fundraising Tips
- Focus on building relationships rather than just asking for donations
- Offer specific ways for supporters to partner with you, such as monthly donations or one-time gifts
- create a detailed budget and timeline
- Identify your fundraising goals
- Ask for specific amounts
- Craft a compelling mission statement
- Ask your current supporters for referrals
- Express gratitude to supporters
- Be confident
- Practice active listening to understand potential supporters’ needs and motivations.
- Memorize the names of your supporters’ children.
- Fundraise for a specific project
Free Editable Templates
Here are all the freebies included in this article.
- Missionary Support Raising Excel Template
- Remaining Fundraising Infographic
- Missionary Fundraising Thermometer
- Missionary Newsletter Sign-up Form PDF
- Missionary Prayer Card Template
We hope this article was helpful in your missionary fundraising endeavors. Please let us know if this was helpful and if you want us to create more editable templates.
