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 Fundraising - The Reason to Give

If someone asks you, "Why should I give to your school, how do you answer?". Here are some possible responses:

1. Tuition does not cover the entire cost; we need outside funds to exist and pay for incidentals.
2. We have students from low-income families; they need financial aid.
3. Our enrollment is declining and we need help to make up the gap.
4. Our enrollment is increasing and we need funds for our growing pains.
5. We are expanding our programs and we need infrastructure.
6. The church dropped our school from its missions budget and we need to make up the funds.

While any or all of these may be true, they are not reasons to give to our schools.

We must ask God to show us what is special about our school so that we can communicate it's unique mission for the community in which we are located. Then, we show the impact of the program in the lives of graduates and how they are prepared for their calling.

Lastly, we encourage donors to become generous givers and to enjoy the blessings that come from building up the Kingdom through sacrificial giving.

Here are a few ways to convey these:

1. Our school has these special qualities or unique selling propositions (USP's) that cause us to be effective in executing our mission to train the next generation of Christian leaders.
2. Here is a story about how God used the training at our school to impact a student who later impacted his or her community for Christ.
3. Here is a story of how a donor connected their passion for Christian education and how thrilled they are to participate in the life of the school.

We must always think of the consequences of our educational ministries. Why and how is our community stronger, more caring, more Christlike because our little army of change agents are impacting the world for Christ.

The Stewardship of Wisdom

Proverbs 13:10
"Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice"

"No one can give me advice about this problem; our school is unique!" So goes the excuse of those who refuse to admit their shortcomings while wandering in the development wilderness.

I believe that almost one out of every two or three schools is going through some sort of transition or organizational challenge. Some of these are routine and can be handled with internal resources. Some, though, are thornier and could be helped by having perspective and wisdom from others not directly involved.

Sadly, I see schools wrestle unnecessarily rather than "hang out the dirty laundry" for all the world to see.

Isn't it interesting that we want donors to come to us for advice in how much and where to give their money, but we wouldn't ask them to help us sort out a complicated issue in our own work?

We are focusing effort now on future plans for the school. It's not quite strategic planning (though planning is involved) and not a capital campaign (though it involves raising funds); it is something a little different. A few weeks ago I was frustrated and felt totally incapable of knowing the next step. God, in His abundant provision, put several wise people in the meeting who helped clarify the issue and map out the next step or two.

If we are serious about raising time, talent and treasure, it may mean that we have to genuinely solicit advice from our friends who can (and want to) help. It means that we cannot use the meeting as a subterfuge for an ask or to gain their favor for a future gift.

It means that we say "you have some wisdom and perspective that could be helpful in this situation". Then, we stay quiet, listen and pray through what we heard.

Donors have much to contribute; let's make sure we ask for the wisdom gift to be shared as well.

Knowing What We Don't Know

Proverbs 1:1-7


The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-- let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-- for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.


Throughout the scriptures we are taught to seek wisdom. Wisdom is a precursor and companion of knowledge and understanding, all of which is critical for life.

From Proverbs 2


My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.


The wisest people I know are the ones who are keenly aware of the fact that they have not "arrived" at wisdom. In fact, the more they learn and grow, the more they realize how much there is left to learn.


This attitude is so critical for us in leadership. We must have a healthy respect for what we do not know and then to seek wisdom and knowledge from those who will came alongside us.


This week I met such an individual, one who is well thought of and accomplished. However, he will not accept mediocrity and he fully acknowledges that other perspectives can and will help him improve his school in a way that he cannot by himself.


Praise the Lord for humility. If we can all realize that we do not have all of the answers and can agree that this declaration is not a sign of weakness, then our schools are poised to become premier institutions of redemptive grace.