The Compelling Case

If you had a chance to give a reason for your school's existence, what would you say?  Would you give them your school's mission or vision statement?  Here are the typical definitions:

A Vision statement outlines where you want to be in the future. Communicates both the purpose and values of your business. A Mission statement talks about HOW you will get to where you want to be. Defines the purpose and primary objectives. The problem with both of these as it relates to resource raising is that they are internally focused - mostly about what and how we do what we do. What we need is a Compelling Case for our existence that draws others into the next level of conversation so that they might see if God is leading them to participate with your school.  Consider "Tall Oaks Classical School exists because this nation needs a generation of young leaders who are committed, through classical and Christian education, to redeem the culture and our future for Christ". This kind of general and provocative response could cause more questions to be asked and then we can have a productive dialog about the "what" and "how" of the next steps. Similarly, if someone asked about your job at the school, don't just say "I raise money and resources for the school".  That doesn't invite more conversation; it could cut it off. Instead, consider this: "God has called me to help His people to see and to appreciate their riches so they can be used to bless God and others". These answers are designed to be short and engaging so that we can listen as much as we speak.  Proverbs 1:5   "let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance--"

A Fundraising Strategy that Reflects Your School's Value

Yesterday I talked to a fellow administrator who is working hard and wisely to establish a wonderful new classical Christian school on the East Cost. She has a heart for the Lord, for His children, and for a powerful blending of classical methods and Christian worldview.

She and a small band of concerned parents are starting up a new school and they are establishing a culture for the new school that reflects excellence in all aspects. I believe in establishing new and dynamic Christian schools. This is why I went to speak at their first fundraising dinner one month ago. The guests were challenged to imagine a country where graduates are being minted who can think, write, speak and argue persuasively with a Christian worldview so that all thoughts are conforming to our Lord and His precepts.

Now, they need some start-up cash. Here are some of the fundraising ideas they are NOT going to use:

1. A web site affinity contest.
2. Selling magazines or other low-margin items
3. Asking foundations to provide seed capital
4. Sending out letters to local rich people

While these ideas are not wrong per se, they are wrong for this school at this time. A school with fifteen students is selling a concept or vision for what a school can look like.

This school needs to have the founder meet face-to-face with as people who will who can hear the vision presented with passion and clarity. It is also important to have potential backers come to the school during the day to see the students and teachers interacting. In this way the donor is getting the case (the right-brain argument) and the heart (the left-brain reason) which is what is required to invest serious funds.

Bringing donors into the building and interacting with students, teachers and parents is the best way to use the precious time resources that we have.

You may end talking with fewer folks over the course of the year, but the quality of the meetings will be high and we will do a better job of connecting their passions and purposes for giving.

Christian School Fundraisers - Start Your Engines!!

Today is the beginning of the last summer month. For many of us, it isn't even a whole month to get our plans mapped out and key dates set on the calendar.

As we get ready to greet the students and parents back, now is a good time to look at our overall plans and see if we are ready to hit the school year running.

Here are a few ideas:

1. Are the major dates and plans on the calendar?


2. Have you thought about the major themes you want to convey?


3. Who are some key donors you want to contact before the year begins?


4. Have you thought and prayed about some key volunteers that you want to bring along to help share the load?


5. What books or articles do you need to read to get your mind and heart focused on where the Lord wants you?


6. Have you picked a big goal that, without the Lord's supernatural work, will make a large difference in the life of the school?


7. Who are your prayer and accountability partners?

This also a good time to renew some professional friendships and to run these ideas and plans by.

Who knows, maybe someone has some insight that could help you be more successful.

Stewardship and Catching Vision

As I have been growing up in the development and stewardship world, I have heard some timeless sayings:

"People don't give to organizations; people give to people" "That's why development folk need to be winsome"

"People need to see the big picture and how their gift fits into the larger whole"

"People need a rational case in the mind to justify what their heart is urging them towards"

While these truisms are valuable, they don't fully take into consideration the passions of donors, nor do they make us allow for the work of the Holy Spirit in our efforts to advance or grow the school.

Last week I was meeting with a school parent and sharing with him a new three-to-five year initiative for the school. Throughout the presentation, which proposed funding for various parts of the school's strategic plan, I reminded him that these all subordinate to the Lord's plans for us.

I explained that we are not simply asking donors to agree with our plans to fund the school. We want to hear from God's people as to what He is putting on their hearts. So, as to timing and priority, we trust the Lord to tell us where He wants us and when.

This is not to say that we don't need any plans; we should and they should be well-thought out. We also need to be about catching the Lord's vision for our institution.

Some of that wisdom comes from hearing the hearts of the people who we are partnering with.

Permission to be a biblical fundraiser

I had the privilege this week of speaking at the annual convention of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools ( www.accs.org ) . My topic: Stewardship: God's Way to Raise Resources.

This topic has been the source of content for this blog over the past year and I had the joy of challenging my peers to think and act in accordance with the Scriptures as they think about raising resources for their school.

God was gracious in giving me the ability to communicate clearly and with passion. Afterwards, I received many nice comments, but there were two that I share now:

1. "It just makes sense that God, who is sovereign over everything, would have principles by which we raise funds; and, that they would be different than the non-Christian world follows (who is mostly concerned with "what works").
2. A second person told me "You gave me permission to be particularly Christian in my approach to raising funds.

What a joy to help people catch God's vision for how we live!