Have you ever felt like you’ve exhausted your fundraising network? Maybe you’ve lost supporters over time, or financial pressures are increasing, and you’re unsure where to turn. What if there were people already in your life—hiding in plain sight—who would love to partner with you?
If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. Many missionaries find themselves stuck in fundraising, wondering where to find new supporters. The good news? Your network is bigger than you think.
On the Modern Day Missionaries podcast, we recently interviewed Russell Cooper and Deb Evans from Tailored Fundraising, who have coached thousands of missionaries in building fully funded ministries. Their approach isn’t about pressuring people—it’s about guiding potential partners through a clear, natural process that leads to sustainable support.
They describe it like a bus journey—where people move through five key steps to become engaged, long-term supporters. When you follow these steps, you’ll find new financial partners more easily, with less stress and more confidence.
Step 1: Create Awareness
People can’t support what they don’t know about. Your first job is to build awareness of your ministry and what God is doing through you.
- Share regular updates through newsletters, social media, and personal conversations.
- Make sure people clearly understand your mission, vision, and impact.
- Mention that you are looking for partners. Many missionaries share stories about their work but never let people know they need financial support!
“In this step, you’re piquing their interest,” Deb explained. “You’re planting the seed, so when you invite them to a conversation later, they already know what you’re about.”
Step 2: Gauge Interest
Once you’ve built awareness, the next step is to identify people who might be open to a deeper conversation. Instead of assuming someone isn’t interested, reach out and ask!
- Send personal messages (phone calls, texts, emails, or direct messages) to see who is open to learning more.
- Keep it simple: “Hey, I’d love to share what God is doing in Thailand. Would you be open to a quick call this week?”
- Look for natural interest indicators—who regularly responds to your updates? Who asks questions about your ministry?
This step saves time and reduces rejection because you’re only meeting with people who have already shown interest.
“Missionaries often feel like they’re meeting with a hundred people who may or may not care,” Russell shared. “But when you qualify interest first, you’re only inviting people who are already open to the conversation.”
Step 3: Help Them Evaluate
Once someone expresses interest, set up a meeting in person, over video, or on a call. This is where you explain your mission in a way that helps them evaluate if they want to be part of it.
- Share your calling, mission, vision, impact, and financial need.
- Keep it personal and engaging—use stories and real-life examples.
- Before making an invitation, ask if they have any questions.
This is a key step because you’re not just asking for money—you’re inviting people into impact.
“This is where they decide if they want to be part of what God is doing,” Deb explained. “And if you’ve done the first two steps well, many will already be leaning toward a yes.”
Step 4: Invite Them to Partner
Once they’ve had time to evaluate, it’s time to invite them into financial partnership in a clear, direct, and pressure-free way.
- Use a yes-or-no question: “Would you partner with us at $100 a month so that together we can reach more people for Christ?”
- Give them space to respond—they can say yes, no, maybe, or “I need to pray about it.”
- Don’t assume their answer—many people who say no now might say yes later.
“Too often, missionaries say, ‘Would you consider supporting us?’ That’s too vague,” Russell shared. “Make it a yes-or-no question so they can respond honestly and immediately.”
Step 5: Deepen Involvement
A financial partnership isn’t a one-time transaction—it’s a relationship. The final step is to keep your supporters engaged and connected to your ministry.
- Send regular updates and personal thank-you messages.
- Look for ways to deepen their involvement, such as prayer updates or special insider reports.
- Identify supporters who could become advocates—introducing you to others, hosting events, or connecting you with their church.
“When someone partners with you, it’s just the beginning,” Deb said. “The stronger the relationship, the longer they will stay engaged—and the more they will want to introduce others to your ministry.”
You Are Not Alone
Fundraising doesn’t have to feel exhausting or discouraging. When you follow these five simple steps, you’ll discover that there are more people ready to partner with you than you ever realized.
Instead of randomly reaching out to people, you’ll move through a clear, natural process that leads to more yeses, stronger relationships, and long-term sustainability.
Take the Next Step
If you’re looking for personalized help building a support strategy, Tailored Fundraising offers a free 30-minute assessment to help missionaries like you create a sustainable plan.
- Schedule a free assessment here: https://tailored.fund/free-call-bennie
- Watch the “Expanding Your Network” webinar for more tips: https://youtu.be/jUaaizK729o?si=nhAS26xCn00Jb5TB
Your next financial partner might already be in your network—just waiting for the invitation.
Are you ready to take the next step?
Watch the full interview with Russell and Deb here:
