Seven Key Steps

1. Pray

Our confidence is in the Lord who has promised to meet our needs.  Specific prayers bring specific answers.  Pray that you’ll see God work beyond your own dreams in providing the necessary resources for your trip.

2. Read & Study Philippians 4:10-19

3. List 70 Names

List 70 names of people you think would have even the slightest interest in what you are doing.  Include their addresses and phone numbers.  Click here to download a form to help list your potential sponsors.

Who should you contact? Consider the following list.  Brainstorm!  Don’t limit your options.  Remember that you are giving people the opportunity to join you.

4. Read “4 Keys To Raising Support”

Read “4 Keys to Raising Support” again.  Consider which of the four keys gives you the greatest challenge.  Ask your mentor to help you take action where you are weak and pray for you.

Note: Don’t simply ignore the idea of finding a mentor.  Make this a priority!  They will help incredibly in the support process, with their encouragement, challenge to you, and prayers!

5. Mail Your Support Letters

Mail a letter to all of the people on your list.  Explain to them:

1. What you are doing
2. Why you are doing it
3. what you are asking them to do.

For tips on writing a support letter click here.  You can write your own letter or you can start with our sample letter by clicking here.

In the mail we will send you a support raising kit with:

1. donation envelopes
2. brochures for your supporters titled: A Sponsors Guide to Supporting A Royal Servant
3. donations cards
4. labels with your support account information.

These cards ensure your gifts are properly processed to your credit.  Remember to stick your account labels on the cards.  Also remember to send all of these things in the envelope with your letter.  They were designed and created to give your donors confidence in your choice of mission organizations.

If you decide to write your own letter review these tips»

6. Make Follow-Up Phone Calls

Call or personally talk with everyone you send a letter.  As difficult and scary as this may seem, seasoned missionaries will tell you that one-on-one contact is essential to raising support.  Not only does a phone call let them know that you are serious, but people are more likely to give if they have had a chance to hear from you about what you are doing and why you are doing it.  In addition, a phone call often reminds people who may have misplaced your letter.

Plan to call and speak with seven people a night for ten nights.  This is a great way to divide your list and make your phone calls more manageable.  Remember to tell them:

• What you are doing.
• Why you are doing it.  Tell them what you hope God will do in your life and through you this summer.
• What you are asking them to do – to pray about being on your support team, specifically about giving $100, although any amount is appreciated.

For for help with making your support calls click here.

7. Send Thank You Notes

After speaking or meeting with someone, send a thank you note to each person who makes a commitment to pray or support you.  This is not only appropriate but will also serve as a reminder of their commitment.

A question participants often ask is this: “How will I know who has sponsored me?”  Here’s the answer: You will receive support updates in your email inbox periodically (or by hard copy if you do not have email).  We ask that you rely on these statements to learn where your support level is at.  We do not have the ability at our office to look up individual accounts at a moment’s notice, so this will be the best source of learning who has sponsored you.  If you are not receiving these reports within three weeks of sending in your application, please contact us.  Note: Notice that these reports will be in your email inbox, NOT on the website.

You will want to send thank you notes again after the summer.  There are two reasons for this:

• They are sacrificing for you and therefore deserve to be thanked multiple times!
• You may desire to do ministry in the future that requires raising support.  When your donors experience your gratitude for their help, they will feel better about helping again in the future.