Missionary Fundraising: How To Raise Support as a Missionary

You will likely get a lot of questions on your journey of missionary fundraising. When you say that you’re fundraising for ministry, people may wonder aloud:

“Wait… you have to raise support for your job?”

Support raising naturally invites curiosity and conversation.

This blog will help you answer those questions with a clear and compelling response. Not just for others who ask, but for yourself–to help you remain confident of your calling when things get difficult.

If you believe God has called you to serve in missions, and your agency requires support raising, then this is part of your calling.

Fundraising is not just about getting money. It is about building a support team of people who will join you in the mission. 

When you invite others to support your work, you are also inviting them to:

• Invest in eternal impact
  
• Join in what God is doing in the world
  
• Actively share in your calling

Support raising builds relationships and grows the Kingdom of God through partnerships.

With the help of this blog, we hope you stop viewing fundraising as something you “have to” do and begin to see it as something you get to do—a genuine blessing.

First, let’s take a look at why many missions agencies use a fundraising model in the first place.

Missionary Fundraising: What Does The Bible Say?

Although raising support can be difficult or feel awkward at times, it is not a foreign concept. In fact, many New Testament workers raised their own support too. 

Jesus Himself relied on the financial support of others during His ministry, and the apostles, as did Paul in some seasons. This model is not only practical, but also deeply rooted in Scripture.

Here are the most salient examples in the Bible where we see ministry workers relying on raising support:

1. Jesus and the 72

In Luke 10:7, Jesus gives clear instructions to His disciples as He sends them out to share the Gospel through evangelism:

“Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.”

From Jesus’ words, we can deduce that workers in ministry are worthy of financial support. This passage underscores the idea that those who serve deserve the support of others in return for their labor.

Jesus Himself depended on the generosity of others to continue His mission. This principle is foundational to the practice of fundraising for ministry.

2. The Apostle Paul’s Support from Churches

In Philippians 4:15-16, the Apostle Paul writes to the church in Philippi:

“Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the Gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.” 

The church in Philippi supported Paul’s ministry, and he thanked them for their generosity. Paul highlighted their unique role in providing for his needs, enabling him to carry out the work God called him to. 

3. Paul’s teaching about ministry workers

Perhaps the most direct Scripture addressing fundraising for ministry comes from Paul’s clear instruction about the support of those who preach the Gospel:

“In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the Gospel should receive their living from the Gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:14 

This passage underscores the biblical principle that other Christians should help support those who serve in full time ministry for the work they do for the Gospel. 

When you ask people to partner with you, they are a part of getting the Gospel to all nations through global missions. 

Now that we’ve explored the why behind missionary fundraising, let’s break down the steps of how to raise support as a missionary.

Missionary Fundraising: The 5 Key Steps

When it comes to raising support, the process feels more achievable when you break it down into clear, simple steps.

Once you’ve built a strong foundation of prayer, the fundraising process typically includes 5 main components:

1. Determining your budget
   
2. Articulating your vision
   
3. Compiling your contact list
   
4. Presenting your vision
   
5. Following up and thanking potential supporters

Here’s a quick summary of what each of these steps will look like. You can learn more detailed strategies for each step if you download our Ultimate Fundraising Guide here.

1. Determining Your Budget

You need a clear picture of your fundraising goals before you start your missionary support raising.

Work with your sending organization to set a budget that includes: 

• Ministry costs
• Personal living expenses
• Travel
• Insurance
• Retirement savings
• And more

Don’t guess. Know what you actually need in order to thrive on the mission field. A well informed, realistic budget for your missionary life will give you peace and credibility when you invite others to support you.

2. Articulating Your Vision

People don’t just give to needs–they give to vision.

Before you schedule meetings or talk to your church leaders, take time to write out a clear, compelling explanation of:

• What you’re doing
• Why you’re doing it
• How it will make a difference

Practice saying it out loud. Write a 1 minute version to share with people informally, as well as a 20 minute version you will use during a formal support meeting.

Ask someone else to listen and give feedback. Keep it personal, passionate, and clear.

3. Compiling Your Contact List

Start with the people closest to you. Think through friends, family, mentors, church members, coworkers, and even old classmates or teammates. You’re not just looking for people with money—you’re looking for people who care about you and what God is doing through you.

Don’t filter people out prematurely. Let them decide if they want to be ministry partners with you. You might be surprised who says yes!

Be sure to download the Ultimate Support Raising eBook for a more detailed checklist of contacts.

4. Presenting Your Vision

Some people rely on support letters to share their vision, but it will be far more effective to present your vision to your contacts face to face. This step is where your prayer, preparation, and practice come together. People also call this “The Ask” meeting, since it offers a clear call to action to the person you are presenting to. 

During this presentation, you will meet with a prospective ministry partner (face to face or online) and share what God is calling you to do. You clearly and confidently invite the person to join your team through prayer and financial support.

Yes, it can feel awkward. But with time, it becomes more natural. 

Remember, you’re not selling anything. You’re offering an opportunity to invest in something eternal and to partner with you in the Great Commission. This is why fundraising is often called “people raising” or “friend raising”—you are raising up a support team of potential donors to help you in your mission.

Be direct, clear, and kind as you ask for monthly or annual support. Leave room for questions and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

Ask them their preferred means of contact for follow up. You might be surprised who prefers a phone call versus a text versus an email. 

5. Following up and Thanking Supporters

Follow up matters just as much as the meeting itself. Make sure you have presented a clear step by step process for people to give.

After someone says they’ll give, follow up until the person follows through on their commitment, using their preferred method(s) of contact. 

And always say thank you. Regular updates and personal notes of thanks help your supporters stay connected to the mission. A simple thank you note, email, or text goes a long way.

Now that we’ve learned the 5 key steps to fundraising, let’s talk big picture.

How Long Does It Take for a Missionary to Raise Support?

Some missionaries raise full support in as little as 4 months, but many take closer to a year.

The timeline depends on factors like:

• Your travel schedule
• How much you need to raise
• How consistent you can be in your efforts

Once you’ve done a few presentations, you may need to troubleshoot and adjust your approach. Maybe you need to communicate your vision more clearly. Don’t be afraid to revise.

Talk to your mission coach or a trusted mentor from your sending church. Make a list of questions about any obstacles or concerns you’re facing and bring those into the conversation. 

Remember, you’re not alone in this. Your coach and your organization want to see you succeed and they will gladly help you see your fundraising through to 100%!

Want More Missionary Fundraising Ideas?

You’re in the right place for more information about how to raise missionary support! 

Here at International Project, we’ve created The Ultimate Guide to Missions Fundraising to help you achieve your fundraising goals—and it’s available to you for FREE! 

This comprehensive eBook walks you through every step of raising personal support with practical tips, encouragement, and biblical truth. 

This guide will help you fundraise for a short term mission trip, or long term as a cross cultural missionary.

Download now and take your next step toward being fully funded and faithfully sent!