From my experiences, getting yourself in front of people that care about your cause is always the best way to fundraise. Regardless of the magnitude, intent or place - if you are doing missions, speaking your cause to strategic audiences always produces the most fruitful results. In the past 3 years, I have done personal fundraising for short term trips, long term trips and have fundraised for group project funding for amounts up to $30,000. In every experience, I have found that bringing people face-to-face with your mission creates the most engagement and support.

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Why? 

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I belief that raising money for missions is dependent on capitalizing on strong relationships or building new relationships based on united passion for the same cause or for a certain area of the world. This is an idea with two components. Below, I will explain both.

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Look back into your past when you were an eager 5th grader, selling candy, cheese, crackers and sausage for your end of the year field trip. Who did you sell to? Who actually wanted to buy your boxed artisan sausage kit? If I had to bet, the first three people (and maybe the only three people) on your list would be your grandmother, your Dad’s boss and your best friend’s mom. Why? Because these are the people that want to support you regardless of the cause. They are passionate about you regardless of what you are passionate about. 

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Now, imagine how much more these same people would support you if you could demonstrate a deep desire for a certain cause or experience. From my experiences – it changes the whole game. When these people are investing in your efforts to impact the world, and not just your current project of selling candy bars, generosity happens. And since passion can extend reach within your own family, I belief that the definition of family can also be extended. So where does this new definition of family begin and end? I don’t think there is a good number – that is dependent on dozens of factors. However, I think that if you were to make a guest list for your wedding of everyone that wouldcome, this is the reach you have for mission fundraising. Now stay with me, I said everyone that would come, not everyone that you would invite. Just because your Great Aunt Tussy is a little off and your Mom’s coworker is distant to you does not mean they wouldn’t take an invitation if one was offered. Extend your mindset to think about the people that would show up if they had the opportunity. Whether you know it or not, they would likely support you if profound passion was proven.

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So, once you have your list, how do you get in front of these people? There are so many things to consider and prioritize here. Clearly, you will want to use most of your time with the closest and most willing to give to your cause. These people will likely be the type that you could meet with in their home or your own. Make an effort to pour into these relationships and consistently talk about your mission and the things you need to make it happen. For those others that are the additions to your newly defined family, I would suggest coffee dates. Whether it be at Waffle House or your favorite local joint, I think that coffee conversations create space for the most intimate conversations about passion, vision and heart. 

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One special note about these strong family conversations - if you belong to a small town, small body church, you should go ahead and include the whole congregation into your list. It is likely that these people have watched you grow up, your faith mature and your passion grow towards wherever God is taking your heart in missions. Take advantage of these unique relationships! For me, they provided without even needing to have deep conversations. The connection was already so established, that all I had to do was make known God’s pull on my heart towards missions – and the body provided. Disclaimer – This does not go to say that having a small church body will make your experience a cake-walk. Money is never an easy thing. Whether that means finding it or reporting how you utilized it. It is stressful and uncomfortable regardless of who you are asking for it and how, but if you find ways to present your passion genuinely, the generosity will eventually come.

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The second face-to-face approach that I suggest is connecting with people that you may not have a close relationship with, but who you share a similar and strong passion with. These are people that you strategically choose to start a new relationship with, with the intention of finding support. When choosing who these connections should be, obvious things such as ability to provide financially, similar connections and ability to meet face-to-face should be considered. However, also deeply reflect on the prospective that you will have in forming a deep relationship with this person. Shallow conversations lead to shallow outcomes – in life and maybe even more so in fundraising. Pick out people that you want to be friends with regardless of your financial need – address them and set up a coffee date.

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Be informed that these are people that at first could see you as a solicitor since a personal connection is missing. However, if you can effectively relay your interlaced passions, headway can be made at forming a new relationshipthat yields support. Notice that relationship is repeated and recycled and italicized throughout this article. Even in these new relationships that you seek out, keep in mind that the most important component is that you are building relationships with the people you are asking for support, and notjust asking them for money. Make them a part of your team - a vital piece of the mission that you both so strongly sympathize towards. 

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Whether it is a member of your newly extended family or the new friend you make in the name of starving children – take them on your journey with you and the funds will begin to just happen. 

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Logan Hickey

President, ILM

December 2018