STMs can be funded in many different ways.
- Almost always, the participants have to pay and or raise at least a portion of the funds themselves.
- Fundraising may include sending letters to your friends and family asking for support.
- STM teams will often conduct fundraising sales or events specifically to raise funds for their trip or project.
- Sometimes the local church will set aside part of the costs from a missions budget.
- Occasionally, sponsoring mission agency or field ministry may have budgeted funds for at least covering the in-country costs of the team.
- If it is for a crisis purpose, there may be outside funds from Relief or development agencies which would help.
- In a very few cases, you or your church may find an STM trip which is completely funded by the recipient.
