TVH Fundraising Packet INTRODUCTION You hold in your hands a valuable tool for a TVH Mission Trip: The Fundraising Packet. Coming up with the money required to do mission work can seem daunting. It s a lot of money to travel overseas. But don t stress out - this packet was designed to help you develop an effective fundraising plan, so you can raise all the support needed. Within these pages you will find: Fundraising Ideas Fundraising Steps Sample Support Letters, Follow-up scripts and a document to help you track who has given and who you need to follow-up with Understand it will take a lot of work to raise the money you need to go on this trip. There are times your faith will be stretched especially when you are a few weeks out from the trip and still have money to raise. But know that if you put forth your full effort in fundraising, God will be faithful and provide you with the full amount. Looking forward to advancing the Kingdom with you. Pastor Nick Koopalethes
FUNDRAISING IDEAS Reject Fear Our heart can be fearful of asking others for money in God s name. If we truly viewed God as the originator and distributor of all resources we shouldn t be intimidated by asking for financial support. The fear of raising finances is a major reason why many Christians do not participate in missions. The reality is when we raise money for mission trips we are providing others who can t go, with the ability to glorify God by sending us. The following ideas are a few practical ways to raise support for short-term missions. Before we begin let s review a few provisos: 1. Don t start this process unless you are covering every aspect in prayer. 2. Reading beyond this paragraph assumes you have received permission to raise support from your church leadership. 3. Every participant in the mission trip should be a participant in the fundraising. Support Letters The most effective method of fundraising for a mission trip is to send out support letters to everyone you know. Presenting at Your Home Church A great way to raise support for your trip, and to know people will be praying for you, is to ask your church leaders if you can do a short presentation about the trip and ask people for financial help. Make sure to go through the proper channels when asking to present at your church. Remember, too, that many churches have their Sunday services planned months in advance, so the sooner you approach them and set a date to present, the better. Facebook Believe it or not, Facebook messages can be a good way to ask people for support. We suggest just copying the letter you send out into a message and sending it to EVERYONE in your friends list even those who don t know Christ or who you think won t give. You would be surprised who will send in some money. Crowdfunding There are dozens of websites (GoFundMe.com, GoGetFunding.com, etc.) that help you raise funds. The website hosts your page, receives the donations and takes a percentage. Crowdfunding support raisers work best when the URL of the fundraising site is shared via social media or e-mail. This is a near effortless way to raise support, you just have to get the word out.
SUPPORT LETTERS Below you will find a list of steps to help you get started in your fundraising endeavors: Develop Contact List Write down the names, addresses and emails of everyone you know family, friends, teachers, extended family, co-workers, classmates, neighbors. Don t leave anyone out! Purchase Envelopes both regular size and smaller envelopes, Labels mailing and return address (it will make it easier on your hands), Paper, Stamps, Thank You Cards. Customize Your Support Letter On page 6 of this packet, you will find a sample support letter that has all the pertinent information supporters need to know (i.e. who to make the check out to, where to send it, the fact that their donation is a tax deduction). Copy and paste the text into a Word document, change all the bolded sections to match your information, and save it. Print Out Self-Addressed Labels It is recommended that you include a small, self-addressed envelope when you send out your letters. It is best to do so with labels, so as to save your hand and ensure the address is legible. Affix the labels onto your SMALL envelopes Print Out Letters It is recommended that you personalize the letters as you send them out. Rather than beginning with Dear Friends and Family, actually put the names of the people you are sending that letter to. Print Out Mailing Labels In order to save you time and hand cramps, copy the names and addresses from your contact list onto labels to affix to your envelopes. It would also be beneficial to use Return Address Labels, so you don t have to write your return address on every envelope. Insert Support Card Your team leader will provide you with a Mission Trip Support Card to include in every letter. This is used to help us know where to designate the donation. Do not forget it! Make sure you write in your name and trip location in the appropriate lines. Mail Your Letters Follow-up It s not always going to be enough just to send letters out. Sometimes, you will need to follow up to make sure people received their letter, read it and to encourage them to give. Thank You Cards Throughout the duration of trip fundraising, you will receive a list of your sponsors and the amount they donated. Make sure to send them a thank you card.
Sample Missions Support Letter Dear Friends and Family, Trip Details: This July I have the privilege of being a part of a mission trip to the LOCATION with Dates: The 8.21.18 Victory - House. 8.27.18 During our time there, we will work with Encountering Life International to Cost: $2,500 Deadline: June 15, 2018 further the Good News of Jesus Christ to those who have never heard the Gospel. Guatemala is referred to as the land of eternal spring, Guatemala is a country filled with lush forests and imposing, volcanic mountains. It has a rich history and culture as the cradle of Mayan civilization and for centuries has preserved the architectural memory from its Spanish colonial past. While Spanish is Guatemala's official language, there are about 23 Mayan languages still in use among indigenous groups. Our heart is to team up with Encountering Life International to bring the love of God, through the tangible message of Jesus Christ to these individuals! LOCATION Details Our trip to the LOCATION in 2018 will consist of: Working with Encountering Life International Traveling into the Mountains to love those who have NEVER heard the Gospel Strengthening the local church through teaching, preaching and testimonies Praying and laying hands on the sick Support In order to go on what will be a life changing trip, I will need to raise a total of $2,200 by July 1, 2017 to cover travel, accommodations, and outreach supplies. Please pray about how you can be a part of the mission to LOCATION: Give a one-time gift of $100 or more (but any amount will be appreciated) Give a gift of $25 a month for four months Pray for God to move in mighty ways Make a Donation To help support this trip, please fill out the enclosed Support Card, make your check out to The Victory House (do not put my name anywhere on the check), and mail it in the provided envelope to Address HERE Thank you for your prayers and support as we reach out to bring the light of Gospel to Guatemala. Sincerely, YOUR NAME Make a Donation: - Fill out the enclosed donation card - Make a check out to The Victory House with Mission Trip in the memo line - Mail it in the provided envelope Give Online Make a secure online donation at: thevictoryhouse.org/donate designate
Sample Fundraising Letter <today s date> <name of potential supporter> <address>, <city>, <state> <zip> Dear <name of potential supporter here>, I am writing to let you know of an exciting opportunity. God has opened the door for me to go on a short-term dental mission trip to Guatemala during our Spring Break, March 12-19. The trip is being led by Dr. T. Bob Davis, DMD, of Dallas, TX. I will be part of a team bringing crucial dental aid to those who may not receive it otherwise. In addition, we ll have the opportunity to share the love of God with those who may be hearing this good news for the very first time. <Describe how you heard about the trip and/or why you are going on this mission> I want to invite you to be an important part of this mission. First, we would appreciate your prayers. We know that the ministry that takes place overseas starts now with prayer. Secondly, I d be most grateful for financial support to help cover the cost of the trip. The cost is approximately $2000, and I need to submit my total payment prior to Thanksgiving. Funds cover all food, lodging, and transportation associated with the trip, and also the purchase of my plane ticket. I cannot accomplish this task alone, and I am asking for you to prayerfully consider supporting this mission with whatever you feel is appropriate I will be grateful for every bit, even the smallest amount. If you would like to support the mission financially, please make checks payable to <insert your name here>, memo: 2016 Guatemala Mission, and return it to me with the Response Card in the enclosed envelope. Note: Do not send funds to Dr. T. Bob. Any funds raised above my base trip amount will go toward covering other costs associated with the trip (i.e. dental supplies and evangelism/discipleship materials). Thank you for your time and consideration, your support is greatly appreciated! Sincerely, <Insert your name here> P.S. Your support, especially through prayer, is a vital part of seeing lives change during the mission trip. I will contact you within two weeks to see if you have any questions and if you would like to support this venture through prayer or finances. 7
Sample Response Cards [Make copies of this sheet and cut to include a Response Card with each Fundraising Letter along with a self- addressed, stamped envelope to be mailed to each potential donor.] Yes, I would like to bring hope and healing to others in need! [ ] I will begin praying now for effective ministry to the nationals [ ] I would like to give a gift of $ Please apply this gift toward the trip of (missionary s name): My Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Email: Home #: ( ) Work #: ( ) Cell #: ( ) I would like to receive updates on ministry events and impact: [ ] Yes [ ] No Method of Giving: [ ] Check [ ] Cash [ ] online - www.thevictoryhouse.org/donate - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Yes, I would like to bring hope and healing to others in need! [ ] I will begin praying now for effective ministry to the nationals [ ] I would like to give a gift of $ Please apply this gift toward the trip of (missionary s name): My Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Email: Home #: ( ) Work #: ( ) Cell #: ( ) I would like to receive updates on ministry events and impact: [ ] Yes [ ] No Method of Giving: [ ] Check [ ] Cash [ ] online - www.thevictoryhouse.org/donate 8
Donation Summary Form Your Name: Your Trip: Trip Date: Donor Name Date Received Check # Amount Thank Your Donors After you receive a gift from someone, be sure to send a thank you note. Let them know that you appreciate their support and partnership on this trip. Start thinking now about how you d like to follow up with them after the trip (e.g. send a trip report or host a follow-up coffee). Another suggestion: Send them a postcard and let them know about the exciting things that God did on the trip and how they were a vital part of the work there. 9