Growing and Maturing Donors - Imitators and Modelers

Last week I met with a generous donor who loves the school. Instead of asking for a gift or a pledge, I asked him to tell me about why he gives. He said, "No one has ever asked me that before".

Questions like this and others (see the previous blog post) cause our donor friends to think more deeply. His answer reflected his recognition of God's blessings and his passion for the kind of education his children are receiving.

Today I want to share the wonderful work of Wes Wilmer, V.P of ECFA and author of God and Your Stuff: The Vital Link Between Your Possession and Your Soul. In it, he describes the correlation of soul maturity and use of possessions in six stages.

1. Imitator


2. Modeler


3. Conformer


4. Individual


5. Generous Giver


6. Mature Steward

Stage 1: Imitator

• Faith Characteristics: Like a child, is marked by imagination and influenced by stories and examples of others


• Evidence in Use of Possessions: Is able to mimic the examples of others in giving when shown or instructed.


• My thoughts: This is where we find the new donor, not really sure about the theology or rationale for giving, but knows instinctively that it's right thing to do.

Stage 2: Modeler

• Faith Characteristics: Takes beliefs and moral rules literally. Perception of God is largely formed by friends.


• Evidence in Use of Possessions: Gives specifically when given an example to follow.


• My thoughts: These donors are the "go to" who don't need an explanation, they just need the destination and some guidance in how and how much to give.

Most of our donors will fall into these two categories. Later this week we will discuss the other four so we can learn how the Lord grows us in our giving maturity.