Individuals raising funds for support.

Individuals Raising Funds For Support -- Part 1

Missionaries Raising Funds -- The Letter Appeal

One of the most difficult chores for a

missionary is to gather the financial

support to fund their efforts for a

one-time event.

For that matter, it's difficult for any

individual to raise money for a single event

or even for ongoing annual support. Most

people prefer to make donations to organized groups.

Short range fundraising strategies will be focused on here. For establishing a long-range fundraising plan, go to the commonly known fundraiser called an Annual Campaign.

Short Range Approach

So you've agreed to serve as a missionary or have a seasonal ministry that you are involved in. Maybe you were told that you would have to pay your own way or maybe you are just now finding out that you must conduct a fundraiser so that you can financially pay for your trip and stay.

Regardless, a short range missionary trip may range up to several thousand dollars in costs. You will need some financial backing if you will expect to complete your task.

The Strategy

First, set your goal. Establish how much money you will need to obtain and add a 10% to 15% contingency fee on top of it when figuring your fundraising goal.

You must then follow a plan to achieve your desired goal. Enlist the help of your spouse, parent or close personal friend to be your coach and keep you on track.

Set up monthly goals and stick to them. Start a yearly outline with tasks to complete on a monthly basis. Make this a "check off" form for your convenience.

With your goals set, we will discuss three options that you have on achieving your goal. They are:

1. USING A LETTER APPEAL

2. GATHERING COMMUNITY SUPPORT

3. CONDUCTING AN A-THON EVENT

LETTER APPEAL OPTION

If your goal is only a couple thousand dollars, one fundraising option is to ask a couple dozen of individuals to consider donating $50, $100, or more. Utilizing four easy steps as shown below, will be all the time that you'll need.

Just a couple of well written letters should do the trick. Mention that the $50 or $100 donation can be spread out over several payments.

Don't mention giving at less than the $20 level at all. Typically, whatever you suggest will be what is considered as a gift to you. If they can only afford $20, let them give you what they can offer.

This option is simple, yet highly effective, especially the closer you are known personally by your potential contributors. Face it, most aunts, uncles, grandparents, and close friends will be happy to support your efforts.

1st Month -- Gather names. Gather as many names of friends, family, co-workers, and church members that could, if asked, donate money to your efforts.

2nd Month -- Recruit an honorary advisory board. This advisory board should be a mixture of those that can help you make calls, make contacts, deliver products that you sell, and have connections with influential business people (door openers). Contact each and ask them to support your efforts.

3rd Month -- Write a serious letter making your case for sending you out on your missionary journey and what you hope to achieve. Have your letter checked for spelling and general flow of the letter. Be willing to incorporate suggestions made by your letter screeners.

Send your Appeal Letter out and include a self addressed envelope. You might even send a donation card that will show several gift ranges.

4th Month -- Ask a well known business leader, philanthropists, religious leader, TV personality, or community leader to write a follow-up funding appeal letter on your behalf. (Hint: you may have to actually write the letter for them to send on your behalf, since they may be too busy otherwise). Send this appeal letter out to all of your contacts with a return addressed envelope.

Finally, send out a "thank you" letter to all donors. Give them a report on the final tally of the money you've raised and if you are short, stress what each of them could give to get you over the top.

LETTER APPEAL -- Part 1

GATHERING COMMUNITY SUPPORT -- Part 2

CONDUCTING AN A-THON -- Part 3