Whether you're a seasoned missionary or preparing for your first mission trip, mission work relies heavily on the generosity of donors. To make a meaningful impact around the world, you will need to create a compelling fundraising plan - that includes your mission trip donation letter! Keep reading to find out more about how to write an effective mission trip fundraising letter, plus a free example.
Fundraising for mission trips comes with its own set of unique challenges and opportunities. While asking for money feels uncomfortable, reaching your financial goal can be difficult without making that all-important appeal through a mission trip fundraising letter. Fortunately, with a creative approach and perseverance, raising the necessary funds becomes less of a challenge.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into practical tips for mission trip fundraising, including crafting a compelling mission trip donation letter, engaging supporters, and launching a user-friendly campaign page. Plus, we’ll provide a sample fundraising letter for mission trips to help kickstart your campaign with confidence.
It’s important to lay a solid foundation before pulling out the pen and paper for your mission trip fundraising letter. By taking the time to plan out your campaign and ask, you’ll set yourself up for success. Here’s how to get started.
Start by determining what you want to achieve with your fundraiser. Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Base) fundraising goals will give your campaign direction and clarity. Don’t forget to explain why your fundraiser is essential to your church or organization’s overall vision. This will help potential donors understand the impact of their contributions.
Establish clear timelines and milestones for your fundraising campaign. Break down your goals into manageable tasks and assign deadlines to each one. This will help you stay organized and focused throughout the process.
We all know that it takes money to raise money. To keep your campaign on track, create a realistic budget for all your fundraising activities and expenses. This includes necessities like paper and postage for your support letters but also costs for promotional materials, fundraising event supplies, and your online fundraising platform. Planning ahead will help you manage your finances effectively.
Picture this: you’re in an elevator with a potential donor and only have a minute or less to encourage them to give to support your mission trip. What would you say? Your fundraiser elevator pitch should be a brief, compelling summary of your mission trip and why donations matter.
Whether you’re at a social gathering or making an appeal to a crowd, this pitch will help grab people’s attention and inspire them to support your mission. It will also form a solid base for your mission trip fundraising letter – all you’ll need to do is add some additional details.
Create a list of everyone who might be interested in supporting your mission trip. Your list may include donors who have previously supported similar projects or tips, as well as family, friends, coworkers, church members, neighbors, and even local businesses or other nonprofits. The more names you collect, the better your chances of finding people who will financially support your mission trip.
From finding the right tone to clearly conveying your cause, writing a mission trip fundraising letter can feel daunting. We understand the challenges, which is why we’ve compiled a list of helpful tips to guide you through the process and help you raise support for your upcoming mission trip.
Storytelling is a powerful tool that illustrates the purpose of your mission trip and fosters emotional connections with potential donors. Use donor-centric language to show the reader how they will personally make an impact.
Consider the following story prompts:
Now that you’ve highlighted the importance of donations, empower people to take action by providing clear instructions for online giving. This is the perfect time to introduce your crowdfunding or peer-to-peer fundraising page.
Selecting the right fundraising platform is crucial for the success of your campaign. Ensure that your donation page is trustworthy, convenient, and user-friendly, providing donors with a seamless experience.
Donorbox offers easy-to-use fundraising tools designed to support your mission trip. Create a Donorbox crowdfunding page in just 15 minutes, without the need for any coding skills. Share your mission through engaging stories, updates, visuals, and a fundraising thermometer.
With the click of a button, transform your page into a peer-to-peer campaign, allowing supporters to create their own personalized donation pages to share with their networks and expand your reach even further. Spread the word about your online campaign through personalized emails, social media, and, of course, your fundraising letter.
Get Started With Donorbox
The conversation doesn’t stop once you’ve sent out your appeal letters. In fact, it’s just the beginning! As donations start rolling in, take the time to personally thank your donors for their generosity, whether with a thank-you letter, phone call, or personalized email. Let them know how much their contribution means to you and how it’s making a tangible difference in your mission.
And you don’t even have to wait until then – you can also include a quick thank you at the end of your mission trip fundraising letter!
Additionally, consider sharing updates on your donation page to inform donors about how their support is impacting your cause.
Following up with your donors will help you build lasting relationships rooted in trust and mutual respect. By keeping the lines of communication open and showing genuine appreciation for their support, you can foster continued support for your mission trip.
Bonus: Raising money for a church or faith-based mission trip? Find more church fundraising ideas in this blog.
To help you get started, we’ve provided a sample mission trip fundraising letter using the tips shared above. While this template offers a solid framework, we encourage you to personalize it to reflect your unique voice, experiences, and mission.
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. Today, I want to share with you a story – one that has shaped my life and led me on a journey of faith and service.
While at church camp a few years ago, I experienced a profound moment of clarity and purpose. It was as if God spoke directly to my heart, calling me to step out in faith and serve others in a way I had never imagined. In that moment, I knew without a doubt that I was being called to the mission field.
Since then, I have devoted myself to answering God’s call and following His guidance wherever it may lead. This journey has taken me to places I never thought I would go and allowed me to witness the incredible ways God works in the lives of His people.
Now, I am excited to share with you an opportunity to join me on this journey. I am preparing for a mission trip to [destination], where I will have the privilege of serving alongside local communities and sharing the love of Christ with those in need.
But I can’t do it alone. I need your support to make this mission trip a reality. Your generosity can help provide essential resources and support to those who need it most, offering them hope and a brighter future.
Your donation will directly impact the lives of individuals and families in [destination], providing them with access to clean water, education, healthcare, and other life-changing opportunities. Your support has the power to transform lives and bring hope to those who are hurting.
Here’s how you can help:
- Visit our fundraising page at [link] to make a secure online donation.
- Spread the word about our mission trip to your friends, family, and social networks.
- Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we embark on this journey of faith and service.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a difference. Together, we can share the love of Christ and bring hope to the world.
With appreciation,
[Your Name]
For more examples of impactful fundraising letters, check out Fundraising Letters: Asking for Donations Made Easy.
Want to fool-proof your mission tip fundraising strategy? Check out the tips below and visit our Nonprofit Blog for more creative fundraising inspiration, such as this article on 10 Effective Mission Trip Fundraising Ideas.
Don’t limit yourself to just one fundraising channel. In addition to traditional outreach methods such as fundraising letters, explore other avenues for reaching potential donors such as social media, email, and fundraising events. Each channel offers unique opportunities to connect with different audiences and expand your reach.
For example, consider adapting your support letter into a series of social media posts. Announce your trip, ask for donations, and share regular progress updates with your social media followers.
Enhance the visual appeal of your social media posts, emails, donation page, and other campaign outreach by incorporating images that bring your goals to life. Consider including photos of yourself, your mission team, or glimpses of your mission trip location. These images will help donors visualize the impact of their contributions and feel more connected to your cause.
For an added touch of creativity, include graphics such as a map pinpointing your destination or a fundraising thermometer, like the Donorbox thermometer displayed below from a successful Brazil Mission Trip fundraiser.
Rallying support from volunteers can greatly enhance the success of your mission trip fundraiser. Reach out to friends, family, and fellow community members who are passionate about your cause and ask for their assistance. Assign specific roles and responsibilities to each volunteer, whether it’s helping with outreach efforts, organizing fundraising events, or managing social media accounts.
Social proofing your mission trip fundraising campaign involves leveraging social validation and testimonials to build credibility and inspire trust in potential donors. People are more likely to support your cause when they see others doing the same.
Effectively social proof your mission trip fundraiser by sharing updates, testimonials, and success stories on social media and your donation page.
Virtual donor walls are another great way to showcase donor support. Donation platforms like Donorbox allow you to add a donor wall to your campaign page at no additional cost.
We love how Living With Power spotlighted their fundraisers on their mission trip campaign page, as seen below.
Encourage individuals to set up recurring giving, a more manageable option for many supporters. Research indicates that individuals who opt for recurring donations tend to contribute 42% more than one-time donors. Plus, recurring donors often demonstrate a higher level of engagement with your cause!
A successful missionary fundraising letter hinges on strategic planning, utilizing effective fundraising tools, and building strong connections with donors through storytelling, visuals, and appreciation.
Donorbox is a powerful yet intuitive fundraising platform that helps donors easily give to your mission trip. From customizable donation pages and fundraising thermometers to user-friendly peer-to-peer and recurring giving features, Donorbox offers everything you need to engage with donors and fully fund your next mission trip.
Take the first step towards launching your Donorbox campaign page today. We’re here to support you every step of the way, from creating an impactful webpage to guiding you through your campaign journey.
Stay updated on the latest fundraising strategies by visiting the Donorbox Nonprofit Blog. Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive fundraising tips directly to your inbox!
With a background in professional writing, Lydia has over five years in nonprofit communications under her belt. Lydia’s passion for supporting nonprofits sparked during her college internships with global mission organizations, where she gained valuable insights into fundraising marketing strategies. These experiences have continued to fuel her dedication to empowering nonprofits through her writing.
Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive the latest blogs, news, and more in your inbox.
Lydia Wohlgemuth