I was planning on being a trainee with the church I was at during university - my budget was £8k
The church had committed to covering half my budget and I had £1k in savings.
I approached family members and friends by speaking to them in face to face conversation explaining what I would be doing (serving practically, teaching the Bible to students, being trained to serve the church), and why I was doing it (to serve the UK church as well as possible).
I also produced a letter at the beginning of the year as a more widespread method to give to people at my parent’s church, explaining similar things.