Christian Fundraising vs. Secular Fundraising

The book Revolution in Generosity does a nice job of comparing two mindsets about fundraising,; one honors the fundraiser themselves; the other seeks God's blessing on everyone and in every step of the process.

Let's look at how the two approaches differ:

Philosophical underpinning:

Transactional model - Philanthropy-improving Stewardship for the common good

Transformational model - Managers of what God owns

Focus Raising money through:

Transactional model - marketing transactions

Transformational model - Facilitate raising stewards to be rich toward God, which results in generosity

Ethical framework

Transactional model - Minimalist-”is it legal?” or “will it work?”

Transformational model - Commitment to gospel values of truth, integrity and love

Ideal Outcomes

Transactional model - Donor meets organizational needs

Transformational model - Giver becomes conformed to the image of Christ and becomes generous, like Christ

Solicitation

Transactional model - Manipulative business sales, technique intensive, hype the need

Transformational model -Present giving opportunity, prayerfully matching call to ministry

Motivator

Transactional model -Asker’s style, personality

Transformational model - Holy Spirit works to transform heart toward Christlike generosity

Follow-up

Transactional model -Pressure and persuade to meet quota, don’t take “no” for an answer

Transformational model - Encourage prayer to lay up treasures in heaven and experience godly joy

Accountability

Transactional model - To organization, the law

Transformational model -To God, external values

Predictable Outcomes

Transactional model - Success/failure depends on asker. burnout

Transformational model - Success/failure according to God’s calling

Rewards

Transactional model - On earth, temporal

Transformational model - Crowns and responsibility in heaven for eternity

Anatomy of an Appeal Letter

Each of us receives solicitations for support from several or many non-profits. As we open these (as do our donors) what messages are contained?

Typically, we mention (in passing) how God has blessed the school and wonderful it is to have dedicated supporters (like you!).

Then, we launch into the "ask" where we explain the reasons for our need; you know, the one that sounds like we are almost desperate, but not quite. We don't want to start a panic or have the rumors fly that we are going to close. Sometimes we show specific items that need to be funded to make a connection between a favorite item and a donor's interest.

Lastly, we pull out the "big gun", scholarship aid for needy families. That always "works" if the other items don't connect. Scholarship, like poverty, can tug at heart strings - then, we hope, someone feels sorry for us and throws us a gift.

This is not biblical stewardship; it is manipulation in using guilt or shame to solicit a gift.

Our roles are to remind our donor friends of their blessings from God and to boldly make our case saying why our school is a great investment in Kingdom building. We can and should remind them that each of us are stewards of blessings and how we should give as directed by the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 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."

Look over your letters and see what messages are coming out loud and clear.

The Mentor: Get one or Be one

Acts 11:19-26 The Church in Antioch - How God used Barnabas to advance the kingdom

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews.


Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

This looks like mentoring to me; coming alongside, encouraging, and being true to the message he had been given. Also, Barnabas and Saul were meeting with the church for a "whole year" indicating that teaching was occurring throughout. It takes time to change culture.

Have you been called to be a mentor to a "younger" leader, someone who can call on you to be a safe place to exchange ideas and try them on. If the Lord has laid this on your heart, be a good steward of your time and volunteer to go on the journey with someone. You will be a blessing and you will be blessed as well.

Do you need a mentor? If so, find someone who has the maturity and wisdom to give good counsel. He or she will not give you the "answer" to all of the questions or challenges, but he (or she) will help you with maintaining your principles while you explore other avenues of your work.

Giving generously and receiving graciously; both sound biblical to me.