Biblical Fundraising
Each month our Denver Ministry Partners gather for a lunch provided by YPN. It's a chance to fellowship together, network, and hear practical tips and ways to improve our ministries. In December our Guest Speaker was Suzanne Dubois with Mission Increase Foundation www.missionincrease.org sdubois@missionincrease.org. MIF has been a great partner and support to many of our ministries providing free monthly workshops. Here's Suzanne's timely seminar during these unsettled and difficult days for funding ministries.
The Biblical approach to fundraising and development:
Suzanne recommends we evaluate how faith-based organizations should be responding to the current economic crisis and compare to how our ministry is responding. She shared examples of appeal letters she has recently received that focused on the crisis, shortfall, people will die, lose jobs, need help etc. This approach may create a one time guilt gift but it’s a huge burden put on donors when they are already saturated with bad news and possibly struggling themselves.
However, she did receive a great example of an organization doing it right! In this letter the ministry recognized the situation and how it is impacting everyone. The letter did not even include an “ask” but focused on the donor and asked if they could pray for the donor during this difficult time.
Another good letter thanked the donor for standing by them through these difficult times and laid out their plan for 2009.
The normal pyramid approach to donor development = TRANSACTIONAL focus: Get your potential donors to become monthly donors Get your monthly donors to give more monthly
As faith-based organizations, there is a better way = TRANSFORMATION focus: Prepare God’s people using God’s resources for God’s purpose
If we get the donors focus on what is being accomplished in the ministry, it transforms their heart. It is our privilege and honor to help people with this process. It is a large responsibility. Ephesians 4:11-15 and Romans 12:4-5.
Our donors are also a part of Christ’s body. We need to care for them just as we care for those we serve.
There are three types of giving:
Subtractional (Luke 18) our ministry has a need, you have money that we need, give to us donors give out of duty, obligation, or guilt ie: church tithe
Transactional (Matt 6) I give but expect something in return, ministry mails a small gift and expects a donation in return ie: donor receives tax deduction
90% of donations are subtractional or transactional. This is not bad but a better way is to experience the fullness of Christ.
Transformational (Mark 12) when I give, I change. Ministry invites the donor to participate, the impact is greater on the one who gives than the one who receives. This is rare and requires a leap of faith because we have to care more about the donors growth than the ministry’s growth. This includes volunteering, board service, GIK but $$ have to be part of it.
With transformational giving, donors grow because of the impact and become more dedicated to your ministry and more generous than most.
2009 Personal Challenge: If you do not understand or practice transformational giving, you will not be able to change your ministry.
Write dome some personal principles for your own giving. ie: if you find a cause you believe in, give before they ask (passion), actively seek where you want to give ie: determine with your spouse what % you will give so not just from discretionary income, include annual growth ie: go on mission trip every year
2009 Ministry Exercise: What does a full grown donor look like? How did they become that? (mission trips, volunteer, etc) Develop plan to help other donors develop into full grown donors.
A recent study shows one of the main reasons donors stop giving is because they felt like an ATM machine, the ministry was constantly asking for money. They want to be involved because they believe in your cause!
Find a way to help them achieve this! For more fundamentals go to www.missionincrease.org
Post made: Thu, Dec 11 2008 - 06:57 AM
Category: Funding
