BIBLICAL BACKGROUND:

A. It takes work! This needs to be understood before setting out. Set your mind to do the work ahead of you with a good attitude. Expect to receive what God has for you, but know that you have to give your part to receive. God will open the doors, but you must step through them.

1. “Give and it shall be given unto you.” (Luke 6:38)
2. “I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24)
3. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” (Eccl. 9:10)

B. Ask God for His guidance and direction and believe that He will provide.

1. “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matt 21:22)

C. Support raising gets others involved.

D. Remember to remain accountable to leadership and stay involved in the church body. Keep the church and team updated as to your progress and what God is doing in your life through this experience.

E. Be flexible. Don’t consider it a failure if one plan doesn’t work. Be ready with another plan and seek help from those around you.

HOW TO RAISE SUPPORT

A. Proper attitudes
1. Understand the ministry that you are about to be involved in.
2. Appreciate those who cannot give financially. Appreciate those who CAN give financially. Appreciate God who has given you this opportunity. REMEMBER, THOSE WHO SUPPORT YOU, FINANCIALLY OR OTHERWISE, ARE PART OF THE TEAM.
3. Be energetic
4. Be yourself
5. Be 100% committed to the work. If you feel not so sure about what you are doing, others will know. At that point, STOP & RE-COMMIT IT TO THE LORD.

B. Tools for support raising.
1. Establish the goal.
2. Count the $$ cost. Food, transportation, pre-trip expenses, your own personal expenses to maintain before, during and after your trip, clothes if you need any, film, expenses for raising support, etc. Total the above amount, divide by the number of months before your departure and that will equal your average monthly support amount. Count the Time and Effort Cost: letter writing, follow-up calls, appointments, group activities, etc. You can enlist family or friends to help you save time also.
3. The support base
a. church
b. Family
c. Friends
d. Referrals
e. Additional churches
f. Organizations (Kiwanis, Rotary, etc.)
g. Other para-organizations (Christian Women’s Club, Full Gospel Business Men, etc.)
h. School clubs
4. Begin the process
a. persistence
b. proper format for letters.
c. Steps
1. decide who
2. write letter
3. follow-up (phone call or visit)
4. follow-up letter(s) (Not to be substituted for follow-up phone call or visit.)

FUND-RAISERS

A. To be discussed- possibly a garage sale, bake sale, car wash, walkathon, baby-sitting etc.
B. Organize a committee from the team who will take this task and head it.

THE SUPPORT LETTER

Practical Points for writing a Support Letter
1. Letter should always be neat, typed on a good quality paper, in standard form
2. Be sure to put your return address on the envelope.
3. Address to a singular, i.e. “Dear Friend” not “friends”.
4. Letter should be positive and informative.
5. Letter should be personal (as though you addressed it to one person.)
6. Letter should express warmth and appreciation.
7. Be sure to include the following information:
a. Where you are going.
b. What you will be doing (both as a group and as an individual)
c. Specific financial needs
d. A challenge. I.e. “I would like you to consider being one of the ten who will pledge $10.00 a month for the next 10 months.”
8. Encourage prayer support.
9. Help the giver: Include a response card and an envelope (self-addressed & stamped)
10. Be specific, to the point. Do not ramble about unnecessary things.
11. Be sure to convey that this is a ministry, not a vacation.
12. The first letter should always be followed up by a personal contact, either by telephone or in person. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. It lets them know that you are serious and that their support is important to you.
13. This, the first letter, must be exceptional. It is your first contact and your first impression, which established credibility.
14. Have two or three different people proof-read the letter.
15. Plan for the expense of making an excellent letter and postage.
16. Keep a record of those who have committed so that you can follow up. Keep them informed about what is happening and make them feel that they are a big part of what you are doing.

EXAMPLE FOR FIRST LETTER
Date

Singular greeting,

Paragraph #1- greeting and setting for the letter.

Paragraph #2, 3- Explanation of your trip, ministry and what will be accomplished.

Paragraph #4- Explanation of your needs and how this person can be involved. This is the challenge to them.

Paragraph #5- Closing. Mention the follow-up plans that you will be calling them in about a week.

P.S. Specific reminder

Closing,