Fundraising Tips for Your Short Term MISSION TRIP
If you are preparing for a mission trip and need to fundraise, I want to share some insights from my own current process. This summer, I am taking two of my kids on a trip, and the three of us need to raise a total of $8,100 ($2,700 per person). As of publishing this on my website, we've raised about 45% of the funds we need to make this trip happen. If you want to help, click here to learn more and give.
I've written a comprehensive blog post mapping out my entire execution plan—including how to approach your letter, message, and video. The following are additional tips based on what I am learning while navigating this process, in real-time.
Establishing the Foundation: Your Letter and Video
The first thing you must nail down is your fundraising letter. I have posted several of my own letters from previous trips to Mexico and Honduras, as well as my upcoming trip to El Salvador. Feel free to repurpose these with your own names and details to create your foundation.
Once your letter is ready, record a video using it as a loose script. I recommend recording a simpler, punchier version for the video and letting the letter serve as the detailed version. Having both in place gives you a professional and personal reach.
Creating Your Contact List
After your materials are ready, you need to make a list. When my daughter and I went on previous trips, we made separate lists of everyone we wanted to contact. This year, I sat down with my kids to update those lists. We included:
- Friends and family.
- People from the church.
- Current and former teachers.
- Small group leaders and community coaches.
- Anyone connected to our family or the mission we are supporting.
Don’t exclude people because they aren't Christians or because you haven't spoken in a while. Fundraising is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, provide life updates, and share what is going on in your world. And, many people with whom I have relationships are happy to give, even though they're not Christians.
The Outreach Strategy: Direct and Personal
We typically start with email because it is the most efficient; people can click a link and donate immediately. If possible, host your letter and video on your fundraising page so the email itself can stay short and sweet. A simple, "Hey, we're going on a trip and would love your help—here is a link to learn more," is often more effective than a wall of text.
The Power of One-to-One Messaging
I highly recommend sending private, personal messages before posting publicly on social media. One-to-one direct messages are far more effective than posting to the abyss of social media. Save public posts for later in the campaign; they serve as a great reminder for those you’ve already contacted and can catch the attention of acquaintances you didn't reach out to directly.
Managing the Workflow
With over 300 contacts, the process can feel overwhelming. To manage this, I categorize my list by the best communication method: email, text, social media, or physical mail. If you have a massive list, you might consider a BCC email or a platform-wide message to get a quick response. However, I prefer sending individual messages with the person's name included. To avoid burnout, I set a goal of sending 10 to 15 messages a day.
Initial Results and Motivation
By starting with people who have donated in the past, I’ve already seen a high success rate—seven donations out of the first 24 messages (as of recording the video). While past donors are more likely to give, don't assume they always will, and don't assume non-donors never will. You can't receive what you don't ask for.
Breaking the work into daily batches also provides motivation fuel. Seeing a few donations come in early gives you the energy to keep going through the harder parts of the list.
Framing the Invitation
Remember that many people budget their giving on a monthly basis. If they can’t give right now, they might be able to in a few weeks. When you write your letter, try to make it about their participation in the mission. You aren't just asking for money; you are inviting them to be a part of the story. Communicate with your donors after they give to keep them involved in the journey. I will continue to share more tips as my team and I move forward. Good luck with your fundraising!
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