How long does it take to raise missionary support?

The timeline varies based on your budget size, contact list, and how consistently you work the process. Most missionaries take between 3 and 12 months to reach full funding. Organizations that partner with Tailored Fundraising coaches — like One Challenge International and Greater Europe Mission — have cut their average time-to-field from over two years to under twelve months.

How many donors do I need to raise my full support?

Divide your monthly goal by your average expected gift to get a rough number. If your goal is $4,000 per month and your average gift is $100, you need approximately 40 monthly partners. A larger contact list gives you more opportunities to reach that number.

What is the best way to ask someone to support your ministry?

The most effective ask is face to face, tied to the impact of your ministry, and includes a specific monthly amount with a clear yes-or-no question. Vague asks — like 'if you feel led to give' — rarely result in a commitment.

What percentage of donors say yes to missionary support requests?

Without coaching, roughly half of the potential donors missionaries meet with say yes. With a Tailored Fundraising coach, nearly 100% of the donors missionaries meet with say yes — primarily because of better qualification and a clearer, more confident ask.

What is the Communication Progression in missionary fundraising?

The Communication Progression is a five-step framework used by Tailored Fundraising coaches: Awareness, Interest, Evaluation, Decision, and Involvement. It maps the journey from a potential donor first hearing about your ministry to becoming a long-term financial partner.

Why does asking for missionary support feel so awkward?

The discomfort usually comes from framing the ask as requesting a personal favor rather than extending an invitation to partner in something meaningful. When you understand that your potential partners are stewards of God's resources and that generosity is a blessing to the giver, the ask changes from something you dread to something you are genuinely offering.

What should you say when asking someone to support your ministry?

A strong ask has three components: it leads with the impact of the ministry, includes a specific monthly amount, and ends with a clear yes-or-no question. For example: 'In order to share the gospel with students in Vietnam, we are looking for 20 families to partner with us at $150 per month. Would you be willing to be one of those families?'

Should you ask for a specific amount when fundraising?

Yes. Over 90% of donors respond better to being asked for a specific amount than being left to decide on their own. A specific ask is not pushy — it gives your potential partner a clear opportunity to respond honestly.

What does 'if you feel led to give' communicate to a potential donor?

It communicates that you do not want an answer right now. It also assumes your potential partner has not already prayed or thought about their involvement. If they need more time, they will tell you. Asking clearly gives them the opportunity to say yes — or to tell you what they need.

How do you handle it when someone says they need to think about it?

End the conversation by agreeing on a specific day to follow up. Tailored coaches recommend following up five to seven times before drawing a conclusion, using a combination of phone calls and texts.

What should you cover in a missionary donor meeting?

A complete donor meeting covers five elements in order: your calling story, the need your ministry addresses including relevant stats and context, your vision for what God could do, your strategy for how you will pursue it, and a clear invitation to partner at a specific monthly amount.

How long should a missionary donor meeting be?

Most donor meetings run 45 minutes to an hour. The presentation portion — stories, vision, strategy, and ask — should take around 15 minutes. The rest of the time is conversation, questions, and follow-up.

Where is the best place to hold a missionary donor meeting?

Your home or your potential partner's home is ideal — somewhere comfortable, quiet, and free from interruptions. Avoid busy restaurants or public spaces where distractions can derail the conversation at a critical moment.

What is a calling story and how do you use it in a donor meeting?

A calling story is a short, vivid, scene-based account of how God led you to this ministry. It is not a biography — it is a specific moment that captures the turning point. It should take about two minutes and end with a line that creates forward momentum into the rest of your presentation.

How do you ask for a specific amount in a donor meeting?

After sharing your vision and strategy, make the ask by connecting it to impact: 'In order to [specific outcome], we are looking for [number] families to partner with us at [$amount] per month. Would you be willing to be one of those families?' Then stop talking and let them respond.

Fundraising Coaching Packages

Empowering You to Raise More Money in Less Time

Raising missionary support is hard — even when you have a plan, even when you have had training, and even when your organization is behind you.

Most missionaries hit a wall at some point. The contact list stalls. The meetings slow down. The momentum fades. And sometimes what is missing is not more resources or more encouragement, but a skilled coach in your corner helping you work through the specific obstacles you are facing week by week.

Missionary Fundraising Coaching That Gets You to the Field

We are a team of experienced missionaries and fundraising coaches who work one-on-one with missionaries at every stage of the support-raising journey — from building your contact list to making the ask to crossing the finish line and getting to the field.

The results speak for themselves. Without coaching, roughly half of the potential donors missionaries meet with say yes. With a Tailored coach, nearly 100% of them do. Organizations like One Challenge International and Greater Europe Mission cut their average time-to-field from over two years down to under twelve months after partnering with us. Missions Door went from 90% of their missionaries underfunded to 85% fully funded.

The difference is not the missionaries. It is the coaching.

What Coaching with Tailored Looks Like

Every coaching relationship is built around your specific situation — your budget, your timeline, your network, and the obstacles you are facing. You are not put in a box or handed a generic curriculum. You are assigned a single coach who gets to know you, holds you accountable week by week, and adapts the process to what you need.

Sessions are held weekly via Zoom. You share documents and collaborate via Google Drive. Your coach integrates directly with your sending organization so everyone is aligned. And you have unlimited access to your coach via email between sessions.

Here is what we work on together:

Building and developing your contact list
Crafting a compelling calling story, need story, and vision
Developing your strategic fundraising plan
Preparing for and debriefing donor meetings
Sharpening your written communication — letters, newsletters, social media
Overcoming mindset obstacles and staying in momentum week after week
Practicing your invitation to partner with a dedicated practice appointment

Choose the Package That Fits Your Situation

Package A:
3 months

$625 per month

Ideal for:

Short-Term Missionary (Sending for Less than 1 Year)
Small Budget Needed to Be Raised (< $2,500 per Month)
Veteran Fundraiser Needing Focused Support and Accountability

Logistics:

Weekly Hour-Long Coaching Sessions
Sessions Held via Zoom
Collaboration and Document Sharing via Google Drive
Integration with Sending Organization – Including Communications & Updates

Inclusions:

Single Assigned Coach
Unlimited Access to a Coach via Email
Sharpen Self-Management Skills
Create Compelling Storyline for Verbal Presentations
Develop Strategic Fundraising Plan
Enhance Social Media, Newsletters, and Communication Approach
Review Written Communication Pieces
Identify Key Donor Opportunities and Overcome Barriers

Customization:

Each coaching relationship is uniquely built to ensure your individual goals and needs are met. We will partner with you to determine which customizations or topics are best suited for you.

Package B:
6 months

$450 per month

Ideal for:

Long-Term Missionary (Sending for More than 1 Year)
Moderate to Large Budget Needed to Be Raised (> $5,000 per Month)
Brand New Fundraiser Starting from Scratch

Logistics:

Months 1 – 3: Weekly Hour-Long Coaching Sessions
Months 4 – 6: Twice-Monthly Hour-Long Coaching Sessions
Meeting Format, Collaboration and Integration the same as 3-Month Coaching Relationship

Inclusions & Customization:

Everything detailed in 3-Month Coaching Relationship

Package C:
4 months

$425 per month

Ideal for:

Experienced fundraisers with 5 to 6 hours to fundraise each week
Those who have been fundraising for more than a year
Fielded missionaries who need an increase of up to $2000/month in monthly funding

Logistics:

Months 1-2: 6 Weekly Hour-Long Coaching Sessions
Months 3-4: Twice-Monthly Hour-Long Coaching Sessions
Meeting Format, Collaboration and Integration the same as 3-Month Coaching Relationship

Inclusions & Customization:

Everything detailed in 3-Month Coaching Relationship

Package D:
6 months

$375 per month

Ideal for:

Experienced fundraisers with 5 to 6 hours to fundraise each week
Those who have been fundraising for more than a year
Fielded missionaries who need an increase of $2000/month or more in monthly funding

Logistics:

Months 1-2: 6 Weekly Hour-Long Coaching Sessions
Months 3-6: Twice-Monthly Hour-Long Coaching Sessions
Meeting Format, Collaboration and Integration the same as 3-Month Coaching Relationship

Inclusions & Customization:

Everything detailed in 3-Month Coaching Relationship

Not sure which package is right for you?

Schedule a free call and we will help you figure out the best next step for your specific situation.

Schedule a Call to Start the Conversation

Want to understand the full support-raising process before you start?

Read our complete guide to raising missionary support.

How to Raise Missionary Support: A Complete Guide

Fundraising Coaching Packages

Raising missionary support is hard — even when you have a plan, even when you have had training, and even when your organization is behind you.

Missionary Fundraising Coaching That Gets You to the Field

What Coaching with Tailored Looks Like

Choose the Package That Fits Your Situation

Package A:
3 months

Package B:
6 months

Package C:
4 months

Package D:
6 months

Not sure which package is right for you?

Schedule a free call and we will help you figure out the best next step for your specific situation.

Want to understand the full support-raising process before you start?

Read our complete guide to raising missionary support.

Tailored

Community

Products

Legal

Fundraising Coaching Packages

Raising missionary support is hard — even when you have a plan, even when you have had training, and even when your organization is behind you.

Missionary Fundraising Coaching That Gets You to the Field

What Coaching with Tailored Looks Like

Choose the Package That Fits Your Situation

Package A:3 months

Package B: 6 months

Package C: 4 months

Package D: 6 months

Not sure which package is right for you?

Schedule a free call and we will help you figure out the best next step for your specific situation.

Want to understand the full support-raising process before you start?

Read our complete guide to raising missionary support.

Tailored

Community

Products

Legal

Package A:
3 months

Package B:
6 months

Package C:
4 months

Package D:
6 months