FUNDRAISING GUIDE
Don't let money stop you from saying yes.
We know this part can feels scary. But almost every student who's come through YWAM felt exactly the same way. Here's how it works and how you can get fully funded.
CHANGE YOUR MINDSET
This isn't just tuition.
It's a team you're building.
The biggest shift is how you think about the cost. Here's the difference between how most students first see it — and what's actually true.
❌ THE FEAR
"I have to come up with $8,000 on my own before I can go. I can't afford this."
✅ THE REALITY
"I need to invite 50–75 people to partner with me financially and in prayer. Most of them are already in my life."
RUN THE NUMBERS - IT'S MORE DOABLE THAN YOU THINK
50
X
PEOPLE
=
$80
AVG GIFT
$4,000
TRAINING PHASE
That's your entire training phase — covered by 50 people giving about the price of a nice dinner.
WHAT YOU'RE GETTING
Here's what your fees actually cover.
When you see the breakdown, DTS is an extraordinary value — especially compared to other ways you might spend 5 months.
TRAINING PHASE - $3,995
3 months | Clarkston, Georgia
✦ Housing for 3 months (room included)
✦ All meals provided on base
✦ World class guest speakers & teaching
✦ Local outreach and ministry costs
✦ Discipleship and mentorship from staff
✦ All materials and curriculum
A single semester at a Georgia State University averages $10,000–$15,000 — just for tuition. DTS gives you 3 months of housing, meals, teaching, and life-changing community for $3,995.
OUTREACH PHASE - $4,000-$4,500
2 months | International
✦ Round-trip international airfare
✦ All ground transportation
✦ Housing during outreach
✦ Meals for the full 2 months
✦ Ministry supplies & materials
✦ Team leadership & staff support
A typical 2 week mission trip costs $3,000 - $5,000 with no training. DTS outreach is 8 weeks of real world ministry - fully supported - for the same price.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
You're not writing one big check.
Payments are split across the program. You don't have to have everything funded right away — just a $500 deposit to hold your spot.
🎯
Start with just $500 to secure your spot.
Your enrollment deposit holds your place in the school while you continue raising support. You have months to fund the rest.
Outreach fees are paid in installments across the first 8 weeks of the school — so you have time to keep raising support after you arrive. Final outreach cost ($4,000–$4,500) is confirmed once the destination is set and includes all airfare, housing, transportation, and meals.
RAISING SUPPORT
A simple plan that actually works.
This is how students at YWAM Atlanta and YWAM bases around the world have successfully raised their support while depending on God. It's not complicated — it just takes intentionality.
1
Trust God as your provider
We are all constantly growing in our dependence on God. Get the right mindset as you start to fundraise that other people, your skills, or your effort is what provides - only God is your provider. He often uses other people and His body as a way to give, but He is always the one meeting your need. This means PRAY! Continue to ask God and talk to Him about your needs. Pray and trust Him - this is the first step of DTS before you even get here!
2
Make your list - bigger than you think
Write down every person in your life: family, extended family, church family, coaches, teachers, neighbors, past employers, friends of your parents. Most people can list 80 –120 names. This is your team. You're not asking strangers, you're inviting people who already love you into something meaningful.
3
Write a personal support letter or talk face to face
A simple, heartfelt one-page letter explaining what DTS is, why God is calling you, what the cost is, and how someone can give. Be specific — asking for a specific amount (like "$50/month" or "a one-time gift of $100") gets a far better response than a vague request. People often would love to give, but simply need an inviation.
4
Talk to your church
Many churches have a missions fund specifically for this. Ask your pastor if the church would consider sending you as a missionary-in-training. Churches can sometimes receive tax-deductible donations on your behalf and send them to YWAM Atlanta. Even $500 from a church is a huge start.
5
Follow up - once isn't enough
Most people intend to give but forget. A gentle follow-up message or call a week after your letter dramatically increases your response rate. This isn't pestering — it's giving people a second chance to say yes to something they wanted to do anyway.
6
Keep going and trust God with the rest
Every student we've had who committed and kept asking God and others got funded. The process of raising support is itself part of the DTS journey — it builds faith, humility, and community before the school even starts. Apply first, then trust God to provide through the people around you.
HOW SUPPORTERS CAN GIVE
Easy way for people to partner with you.
Share these options with your supporters so they know exactly how to give. The simpler you make it for them, the more likely they'll follow through.
✍️
Check
Made out to YWAM Atlanta with your name in the memo line — mail or hand-deliver to us.
📱
Venmo / Cashapp
Send directly to you, then you pay your invoice. Fast and easy for friends and family.
We do not have a giving link designated for each individual student. Your supporters can give directly to you or can give to YWAM Atlanta and clearly designate whose tuition they are giving toward.
Note: Donations toward your school fees are considered payment for a program/service and are not tax-deductible.
COMMON QUESTIONS
FAQ's
We've heard every money question in the book. Here are the ones that come up most — answered honestly.
RESOURCES TO HELP
Tools to help you get funded
Hey — you don't have to figure this out alone. Here are some free resources from YWAM and others that have helped students just like you raise their full support.
📕
A free, practical guide produced by YWAMers. Covers how to make the ask, what to say, and how to trust God through the process. This is the one we recommend most — start here.
📖
More resources developed by YWAM support-raising trainers. Goes deeper on building a real support team — not just collecting one-time donations, but people who are genuinely invested in your mission.
📚
The God Ask — Steve Shadrach (Book)
One of the most recommended books on missionary fundraising. Reframes support raising as a spiritual discipline rather than an awkward ask — and gives you a practical system to follow. Available on Amazon for around $15. Totally worth it.
✉️
Need help writing a letter? - Just ask us.
We've helped students write their support letters and we're happy to help you too. Reach out and we'll help you articulate and personalize what you feel God calling you to. Sharing your story is one of the highest-impact things you can do to kickstart your fundraising.
Questions about finances?
Email us at dts@ywamatlanta.org or call 678-439-9927 — we're happy to talk through your specific situation. Let's figure this out together!
