Balancing the Imminent with the Eminent

In our work as fundraisers, development or stewardship officers we can get caught up in the immediate, or imminent part of our work. Those are things like planning for events, getting our mailings out, working on newsletters, etc. These tasks, when part of a comprehensive and cohesive whole, are good to work on. This is "the stuff" of advancement and getting out the message about our school.

Then, there are those aspects of our work which are not pressing from a scheduling perspective, but are every bit as important because they are the most significant. Websters defines eminent as high, lofty, towering or prominent. These are the items that may not make it to the daily planner, but are those where life happens. A family needs a word of encouragement, another development officer needs a shoulder to lean on, a volunteer would be blessed with a little recognition, etc.

Balancing these two competing priorities is the mark of maturity in our world. We should have a game plan that keeps us on track while we build in unscheduled time for unexpected opportunities to bless others and to think out of the box.

How do we do this? First, recognize that the work of advancement is never done; there is always someone else we want to introduce to the school. Second, find a mentor who will walk alongside you, who will pray for you, and will help hold you accountable to balancing competing priorities.

Leadership Attributes in Christian Fundraisers

I am pleased to share the thinking of several mature leaders who give us insights into the ways that we live and think in our leadership roles. More can be said about each, but here are a few thoughts to consider:

True Leadership

Giving one's life for the service and well-being of others - following in the steps of Jesus.

Steward Leader

Making the best use of every asset given to us. Using these to accomplish the mission of our school for God's glory, not man's.

Encouraging Giving

Even when we invite others to give. we are not trying to GET from them, but trying to help them GROW into a life of generous giving. That may mean that our school is not the direct or immediate beneficiary.

Growing Today's Young Leaders

Encourage them in their love of service to improve the community. These acts of service will naturally lead to financial generosity.

Communications

Are we spending as much time listening as we are talking? We value and our friends when we make the time to listen and learn.

Acting

While we trust the Spirit to move in hearts, we encourage the young disciples to take the first baby steps to grow in the grace of giving.

Leadership Multiplication

We are called to make disciples who will come after us. These new leaders can be our greatest legacy - are we finding and developing them now?

Is Your School Worthy of Funding?

Most of what I write about deals with the our interaction with donors and helping them see the case for generous giving to the Lord. This is a very important aspect of our work, that is to "raise up and disciple cheerful givers."

Impetus for giving comes from the Holy Spirit's moving in hearts to release resources to grow the Kingdom.

But how are we doing as worthy receivers of these blessings?

Some are basic requirements; some help donors decide how much they want to invest.

Is our financial house in order?

1. How reasonable are our expenses relative to our size?
2. Are we charging the right tuition? Too low is not good stewardship; it's not a sustainable business model.
3. Do we have externally reviewed statements?

Are we "on mission" and improving?

1. Is accreditation part of the annual or bi-annual review process?
2. Does the board take time to assess and course correct our plans?
3. Are we talking to and listening to parents to insure that we are aligned?
4. What are our plans for growing and developing our teachers?

Have we assessed the risks or challenges?

1. What are the financial hurdles that face the school?
2. Are we thinking about leadership and succession planning?
3. Are we looking for ways to enhance employee compensation?

Do we have an exciting and promising future?

1. Can our donor friends see the impact in the community and in our world?
2. Can our friends see where they can participate; and not just financially?
3. What are some of the big plans that generate enthusiasm from others?

This is not a comprehensive list, but it will help us put ourselves in the shoes of those with whom we meet.

We always need to be able to answer the answer, "What is it about our school that makes it a compelling destination for meaningful investment?"

Christian School Hosts Grandparents' Day

Last week I reported on the response from the almost two hundred guests who attended this annual event. Today I want to share the essence of what we communicated. Regardless of the immediate response we want to be faithful to the Lord's commands and principles.

As you develop this and other events, I hope you will have both the mind of the Lord and best interests of the guests foremost in your thinking.

Grandparents' Day 2011

Remarks:

When we go, we will leave an intangible legacy, that is all of the teaching and wisdom that you could impart to your children and grandchildren. You hope they "caught" your spirit of independence, honesty, caring, hard work, and your faith in God. Much of this you get to see in this lifetime. This spiritual legacy lasts through all future generations.

Then there is the tangible legacy, which is your material wealth. This legacy is much more quantifiable, but it is also one that, if invested wisely in a Kingdom enterprise, lasts forever.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Each of us a steward (or caretaker) of the gifts God has given. At the end of these earthly lives we will stand before the Lord and we will be evaluated as to how we managed the gifts God put under our management. We want to hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
• We cannot take our talent and wealth with us when we leave this earth
• There is a present joy in seeing your assets used today rather than having them distributed after your death
• Grandparents can seed into future generations of students by helping to provide scholarship funds for needs families
• Grandparents honor the Lord in being generous givers as we respond to His commands to be joyful and cheerful givers

Grandparents' Day Response Form

I would like to be more involved in my grandchild's school. Please contact me about:

1. Reading to younger students
2. Being a prayer partner
3. Being a chaparone on field trips
4. Coming in as a guest speaker and talking about my profession or my special interests
5. Helping with long-terms plans for the school such as the arts and music, science and technology, athletics
6. I have some ideas on how I can help lower-income families

Asking Donors to Fund a Special Project

Two weeks ago I shared the story of the student whose family needed even more financial aid than the school could grant. I presented the situation to several people who had indicated an interest in helping in this way. I called each and got permission to present this "case".

Praise the Lord. The need was met by two and a half times! In other words, these friends of the school gave $5,000 against a need of $2,000. Generous is the way I would describe these four friends of the school. Also, they were very pleased to be asked and to help.

It happened again this week. Our debate team wanted to go to a tournament that requires a long drive and an overnight stay. We presented the $700 need to an attorney friend who appreciates this aspect of classical education and he responded immediately with a "yes".

These two stories illustrate the beauty of matching a donor's passions and provisions (money in this case) with a Kingdom purpose (training students in their rhetorical skills and providing Christian education).

The donors were not new to the school. They were all already on board with the mission. Again, they were pleased to be presented with a giving opportunity that touched their heart.

When a Fundraiser Does Not Work

Have you ever prepared, prayed, and planned for an event only to see very little of the desired result? It can be very frustrating when you work hard on a special event and look at all the empty envelopes at the end.

Case in point: Our Grandparents' Day. Many schools have this annual rite to recognize the important extended family and bring them in to school for a "love-in" with their grand children.

The egg casseroles were many, as was the coffee and Danish. There were lovely decorations and charming presentations by the various classes while everyone was all together. I gave a stewardship presentation (details in a future blog) that focused on both the intangible and tangible legacy of a grandparent. We didn't ask for money, but for them to indicate their interest in various aspects of their grandchild's school.

The (immediate) results: Two checks and ten sheets indicating some type of interest. I was worn out looking at all of the blank response forms.

Before the self-pity took hold, the Lord reminded me of some important truths:

1. We employed a biblical approach in our overall presentation and collateral material



2. We honored out guests and made every effort to serve them and meet their needs



3. We represented the needs of the school without sounding desperate or sad



4. We invited involvement according to our guests' interests and passions



5. We stood on scriptural truths and let them speak for themselves



6. We asked the Holy Spirit to convict the hearts, not the devices of men

Where to from here? Rejoice in the ones who responded and follow up with them. Remember that we were not always "there" and that our Lord works in His ways and His timing to bring His results.

Have a great weekend - I will!

Christian School Development Without a Development Person

I have been challenged recently to develop a strategy and plan to help a school with a development plan even though they have no one person to assign to the job.

There are several workable alternatives to staffing. Before you tackle these, it is important to decide what are the critical objectives that need to be met. These can be:

• Lead an event or two


• Send out appeal letters


• Introduce the school to the local community


• Bring in grandparents and other volunteers

Once the critical objectives are decided, then the school can decide how and who is the best staffer. Look for people whose talents match the skills required for the job; a good match is very powerful. This can be done in a number of ways:

• Volunteer


• Part-time just assigned to development


• Added responsibility for an administrator or a teacher - this could be an interesting enrichment opportunity

Lastly, organize some help in the form of a task team. This is not a group of people who have lots of ideas and advice; it is the group of people who trust and agree with the plans that are already committed to and are willing to be the hands and feet.

If this is new, pick a few clearly-defined goals and do them well in this year. Then, others will want to join your well-oiled and tuned machine!

Grateful Donors Love to Give

Today it happened. A donor responded to a very targeted appeal to assist a low-income family with a need for tuition assistance.

Last week I described the need of a student to get more aid than we normally allow. Five people were contacted who I thought would be pleased and willing to hear the request. Each one said they would; three have already indicated they were going to help.

Today the wife of one of the men I contacted came in with a check plus the promise of a corporate match from her employer. She was thrilled to be able to help the tuition deficit, and she was also grateful that I approached her husband first. "In doing so", she said, "he is stepping into the leadership role that he should take."

This donor thanked me (the school) for allowing them to participate in helping a school family and she was grateful for putting her husband in his leadership role.

Another person responded today and said they felt privileged to be in a position to help; they thanked me for thinking of them.

2 Co. 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

The Stewardship of Faculty and Staff

It is no secret that Christian schools (and other ministries) do not pay market wages for their dedicated and capable staff. We assume that they are "in it for the ministry". In fact, many are, but that is no reason not to compensate them well for their labors.

Salary is only one component of compensation. Here are valuable benefits that figure into total compensation:

• Free or reduced tuition or trade-off against salary. Valuable and non-taxable (at least for now)


• Health insurance and flexible spending accounts for co-pays and deductibles


• Short and Long-term disability - generally very low cost since teachers tend to be young


• Life insurance - $50,000 in coverage can be very cost-effective


• Retirement plans (i.e. 401K) where the employees' contributions are matched by the school

If your school does not offer these, it could be another way of declaring how you value your staff and their contribution to the school.

Further, you may find an exceptional benefits organization (as have we) who will also provide financial counsel and advice.

Lastly, there may be a donor who sees the need to provide these kinds of benefits who would step up and help underwrite the cost. You don't know until you ask.

Caring for employees is the good stewardship of our most valuable assets.

A Serious need - An Unexpected Blessing

Last night the administration of our school received an email written by one of our students in which she described the serious financial situation that her family is facing. Because of some family and occupational issues, the student will need additional financial aid to stay in the school.

I am privileged to be able to "catch" this request and to see how God might answer the need.

This opportunity allows me to contact some friends of the school and ask them permission to present the situation. Praise the Lord; every one I asked said that they would hear the request and would pray about how to respond.

How do we go about asking people to give in these special situations?

1. Have an on-going relationship. Make sure connections to the school are current.



2. Know what kinds of requests would or should resonate with the donor friend.



3. Try to anticipate if this is a good time to receive such a request.



4. Pray about who to contact. If it isn't clear, then do not proceed. That's the Spirit telling you "no".



5. Then, boldly ask on behalf of the need (student in this case) and trust the Spirit to move.



6. Rejoice in the opportunity to share needs with those who will be blessed if they are led to participate.

I don't know how the Lord will meet this request. No one has answered yet. Every one I asked was thankful to be asked, though.

God brings the harvest of both souls and finances.