Seek support from your church and community to raise funds for your mission trip.
Short-term mission trips can be good opportunities for individuals or groups to learn about the needs of other communities while helping people - domestically or abroad - in a tangible way. To do this, however, they need the financial resources to travel to their destination and to sleep and eat while they are there. Many groups in churches raise the majority of funds needed for their mission trip, rather than spend their own money. Often, with some creativity, these groups find that the church and community are eager to support this cause.
Appeal To Friends And Family
One of the primary ways to raise funds for a short-term missions trip is an appeal for financial help from family and friends. This can be daunting, but with a clear and concise message, writing a letter asking for support can be very effective. According to Round Trip Missions, people actually do want to give to these efforts, but they want to know why one particular cause is significant. If you print out the letter in bulk, make sure that you still personalize the greeting in the beginning of the letter. Tell the person, couple or family where you're going, what you'll be doing there and why it's important. Then, ask them to support you through prayer or financially.
Enlist Your Church
Ask people in your church to donate goods or services they can offer, and then hold a silent auction during an afternoon or evening. For example, if someone owns a restaurant in town, ask her to donate a romantic dinner for two, or if someone is a masseuse, he can offer a 30-minute massage. The options are endless. This can be a fun event that builds community within the church, and it's a creative way for people to donate not only their money but also their time and skills.
Reach Out To The Community
Many people beyond your religious community are still willing to give their money toward these mission trips, especially if the individual or group going is doing something tangible and socially minded, like building houses or teaching children. Hold an event that invites the community to become involved. Host a pancake dinner; it doesn't cost very much to buy the ingredients. Alternatively, hold a traditional fundraising event like a car wash. When you advertise the event, be clear about what you'll be doing on your trip and who their money will ultimately help.
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