Missions Trip Fundraising Ideas: Practical Ideas that Actually Work

Don’t let money hold you back—these missions trip fundraising ideas can launch you on your journey!

The idea of raising financial support for missions—whether short term or long term—can sometimes feel overwhelming. In this blog, we will break down the process into simple, manageable steps. 

In addition to some of the traditional fundraising ideas for missions trips, you’ll learn how to make personal connections that lead to true partnerships. It’s more than writing a letter or making a fundraising website. 

Missions Trips Fundraising Ideas 

Your first step in missions trip fundraising could involve organizing special fundraising events in your local community. Think of creative ways that you could gain potential supporters.

To raise funds for a mission trip, you could host a:

• Bake sale
• Car wash
• Raffle
• Cook off
• Garage sale or yard sale
• Movie night
• Book sale
• Trivia night
• Silent auction

Another possibility to earn some extra money is by doing odd jobs for a fee or for donations to your trip. 

You could do:

• Babysitting
• Dog walking
• Yard work
• Painting (fences) or similar outdoor projects

Many people are willing to pay a little extra for these types of jobs if they know that the money goes to a good cause.

Similarly, you might approach local businesses or local restaurants to solicit sponsorship. You could also do online fundraising by using crowdfunding sites like gofundme or a similar fundraising page to ask for donations for your mission trip.

While these are all good ideas, these mission trip fundraising ideas usually work best for funding short term mission trips. These types of fundraisers can be helpful for high school students, college students, or youth groups.

Related: Mission Trips for Teens

If you are seeking monthly or annual support for long term mission work, your best fundraising approach will be to meet with family members, church members, or contacts for 1 on 1 meetings to present your vision in person.

Mission Trip Fundraising: In Person Presentations Are the Best!

You’ll see the most impact in your fundraising efforts when you share your heart in person. Why?

People want to support a mission they believe in. But first, they need to understand what it is! The best way to communicate and inspire someone in missions fundraising is by sharing about your work face to face.

Stories make your mission memorable. People won’t remember all the facts—but they’ll remember a story that moves them.

Think about 2 or 3 brief but compelling stories from your past ministry experiences. Some examples are: 

• A story from a short term trip
• A personal connection with someone from the people group
• A moment where God made your calling clear

Share stories that reflect your passion for the mission initiative and help others feel emotionally and spiritually drawn in.

Related: Missionary Fundraising: How To Raise Support as a Missionary

Although in person meetings are most effective, it is also helpful to send physical and digital copies of a missions trip fundraising letter that casts vision by sharing your story. 

A 1 page missions trip fundraising letter letter with your picture and short, descriptive vision on it can be a helpful reminder of why and how someone can support you.

Let’s look at how you can write an effective support letter.

Writing a Great Missions Trip Fundraising Letter

A strong support letter to your contacts and church community can open the door for meaningful partnerships. It invites community members to be part of what God is doing and gives them a tangible way to get involved.

Your support letter should be:

• Personal – Write with warmth and sincerity. Share from your heart.
  
• Clear – Explain what you are doing, why it matters, and how they can help.
  
• Inviting – Give them the opportunity to join your mission in a real, practical way.

Once you understand the key qualities of an effective letter, use this simple outline to help you write your own.

Use This Simple Outline

Each part of your letter plays an important role in helping people connect with your mission and decide how they want to get involved. Here’s a quick guide to start.

1. Greeting and Personal Update

Begin with a warm greeting. Mention something personal or current to help your letter feel relational.

2. What You’re Doing and Why

Share where you’re going and what you’ll be doing. Explain why this trip matters to you and how it fits into God’s bigger mission. You can adapt some content from your mission organization’s website or social media.

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3. How Much You Need and When You Need It

Be specific about your fundraising goal. Let them know how much you need and the deadline to raise it.

4. How They Can Give

Tell them exactly how to give. Include a direct link to a donation page with step by step instructions and a QR code if possible. 

If your agency or nonprofit has a URL like agencyname.org/give, be sure to tell your partners what parameters to select on the form, such as your account name and/or number.

5. A Heartfelt Thank You

End with genuine gratitude. Whether they give or not, you want to thank them for reading and supporting you in other ways like prayer or encouragement.

Want more details on how to fundraising? Download our FREE Ultimate Fundraising Guide here!

Read on for a sample missions fundraising letter that you can adapt to fit your trip!

Sample Missions Fundraising Letter

Want to see what an effective support letter looks like? Here’s a sample missions fundraising letter for your short term mission trip.

When you are using printed letters, it helps to handwrite your contact’s name in the greeting, as well as sign your own name at the end. You can leave these spaces blank in a printed newsletter so you can hand write names as necessary. This gives a personal touch!

Subject Line (for email): Join Me in [Location] This Summer[add related emojis like a cross or something from the local culture]

Hey [Name],

I’m excited to share that I’m heading to [place] this summer on a short term mission trip with [organization]! Our team will be serving through [brief description of your work: example — teaching English, helping with youth programs, and street evangelism].

This trip is a big step of faith for me. I believe God will use it to grow my heart for the nations and allow me to serve others with love and humility.

I’m raising $2,000 by June 1 to cover travel, training, and ministry expenses. 

Would you consider giving $50, $100, or any amount God puts on your heart?

You can give online at [donation link] or via mail using the response slip enclosed.

If you give online, be sure to select my account under project name “Name + ##”. 

Your support will help bring the Gospel to people who may have never heard it before. I’m so thankful for your friendship and encouragement as I follow where God is leading me.

Thanks for being part of this with me!

[Your Name]
[Phone number or email if applicable]

Include a recent picture in your missions fundraising letter that will catch readers attention and remind them who you are!

Fundraising Ideas for Missions Trips: Final Tips

You can print a physical copy of your letter and mail it to your contacts. You can also follow up with a digital version. 

Here are some best practices for missions support letters. Let these tips guide your editing process.

• Keep it short and skimmable – Aim for 1 page, 1 printed side only (or a few short paragraphs in an email).
• Use a good visual – To grab attention, put in a photo of yourself or the location you’ll be serving.
• Use plain language – Watch out for “Christianese”! Have a friend read over your letter to make sure it is clear to readers and doesn’t generate more questions.
• Make it clear how to give – Your letter should always include:
  • Instructions for how to give
  • A giving link and/or QR code to make an online donation

Your missions organization might also have specific templates they want you to use, especially for online donations. Be sure to ask if this is the case!

• Follow up – A week after you send your letters, check in by email or personal text asking your contacts if they received the letter. Don’t skip this step! This helps establish personal contact and makes it more likely that your contact will support you.
• Send a thank you message – If someone gives to your mission, thank them right away. Don’t wait until after you’ve gone on your trip (although you can certainly thank them again when you return!).

Most of all, remember this: You are not just asking for money. You are inviting people to invest in the kingdom of God through sponsorship!

Want More Missions Trip Fundraising Ideas?

Get The Ultimate Guide to Missions Fundraising for FREE when you fill out the form below. 

This eBook is the perfect follow up to this blog and offers even more missions trip fundraising ideas to get you fully funded for your mission. Download the guide now to make the most of your missions fundraising campaign!