Critical Success Factors for Development

Proverbs 15:22
"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."

What makes a development officer successful in their work and ministry? Is it their previous experience? Probably not, unless they came from a similar institution. Is it specific training? Again, probably not since few people go to school to become fundraisers. Is it their personality? Personality is important especially if the development person is outgoing and gregarious.

However, having guidance and support from several others may be the most important factor in "raising the fundraiser". First, if you are looking for a new development person, look for these characteristics:

1. Passion - for Jesus and for the school


2. Discipling - a desire to see God's people grow in the grace of giving


3. Teachable - A wise person knows what they don't know - willing to take direction


4. Innate skills - such as writing, organizing, recruiting, motivating


5. A bias for action - if "nothing is happening", then he or she makes something happen

Now, how to help this person be successful:

1. A clear position description including general and specific goals


2. Besides the head of school (the direct supervisor), the development officer needs a board member who has a keen interest in development and who can be a helpful sounding board.


3. A mature outside mentor can be extremely helpful in training and for on-going accountability.


4. Continuing education - reading and workshops and coaching will help keep the ideas and initiatives flowing

Development is often a lonely role. It is not in the mainstream of school operations, but critical for the school's health. Take care to choose this leader well. Then, invest in their success.

Courageous Christian Fundraising

Last week I was in Atlanta at the annual conference of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools where I was privileged to describe the daily (and hard) work of biblical stewardship.

Conventional fundraising employs techniques and methods that are tuned to efficiency and financial effectiveness. So, if selling wrapping paper is less efficient than an "a-thon", then do the "a-thon" which brings in more money with less effort. After all, the "bottom line" is getting funds right?

Does God only care about the fact that we get the funds? Or, is He also concerned about the "why" and "how" of the fundraising? The scriptures make it clear:

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. " 1 Co. 10:31

We are obligated to make Christian fundraising Christian. Otherwise, it is secular fundraising on which we drizzle some Bible and hope that this will sanctify the method.

I have been impressed with the school leaders who told me, "I know this is hard work, but it's the right thing to do. Our job is to disciple people in their walk with Jesus." It is more difficult to look at someone as a fellow man and to walk with him to see his blessings as opposed to seeing him as a "giving unit" with a dollar sign on his head.

It takes more time, more prayer and more involvement. It results in more disappointments, but it can result in greater joy as the donor responds to the Spirit's call on his or her life.

At the end of the proverbial day, do you want to be known as this prolific fundraiser who gathered lots of funds, or do you want to be known as the one who God used to grow donors in their faith; and, who gathered the large sums?

Be courageous and see the Spirit carry you to the next right decision.

Endowment Funds for Christian schools

How can you bring up endowment when we can't even raise the Annual Fund to cover the "gap" that is required to make budget? Can't we just discuss endowment when (and if) we get caught up?

I don't think so. Here are a few reasons to begin to think, plan and act in this direction:

1. Prudence - it is good stewardship to plan for lean times. Remember Joseph's planning during the seven years of abundance (Ge 41:46ff).


2. Donors - many donors do not prefer to give to "keep the lights on", but want to build future capacity for the school.


3. Future - schools have longer-term plans that require larger amounts of money. This could be funding annual scholarships (the annual earnings of the endowment could fund scholarship for that year). It could also fund other initiatives not covered in the operating budget.

There are two arguments I have heard against funding endowments:

1. Accumulation - building more storehouses for grain only to have this taken away.


2. Current period starvation - money invested for the future may dissuade donors from giving for current-period needs; they believe they have done their part.

To both of these I say, come to the Lord humbly and ask for direction. He will guide if there is too much accumulation; He will direct the monies to be used for other purposes. We must trust the Lord that He is working in donors' hearts and telling them where He wants them to invest.

Our job is to make our schools worthy of investment, communicate with donors and trust them to follow the Lord's leading. We cannot and should not attempt to engineer the giving.

If endowments are in your future, what should you do today?

1. Ask the Lord to assemble some people to help you think about the future needs of the school.


2. Pray for a vision for the school's future that balances current and future needs.


3. Remember that donors want to see us continue in our mission. That means that they may be more forward-looking than we are.