A Fundraiser's Dream - "Self-actualized Giving"

In the progression of becoming generous, givers go through phases of maturity. We start by giving because of obligation or even guilt. We progress through imitation and following others until the giver reaches the point where they give cheerfully without any concern for what others do. At this point the giver just does what they do out of the sheer joy of honoring the Lord and blessing His people. It's not quite with reckless abandon, but almost.

Yesterday, a donor and friend shared a story where she was blessed and thrilled by giving something precious away to a young person who she knows well would love to have this special gift.

The details are not important, but the steps in the thoughts and emotions are:

1. She has her passions - seeing young people enjoy photography especially for building the kingdom
2. She has provisions - a really good camera and and a heart for sharing.
3. She has a purpose - to see the next generation fulfill their goals for sharing the gospel in many media.

My friend has grown beyond the point of wanting to keep stuff or money for herself. She sees a need, prays and asks the Lord how she should respond, and then joyfully responds. She doesn't care what anyone else is doing or whether the need is large or small. She obeys the command to give out of her thankfulness for what Christ has given her.

As I heard her story, I was inclined to describe the needs of our school and parley that generosity into something good for me, but that would be manipulative. Instead, we celebrated God's goodness to us all and ended there.

Recognizing and celebrating the Lord's blessings is part of the work of the fundraiser.

If we are faithful in the small things...

The Donor's Bill of Rights - Part 2

Why is it that donors to Christian charities, such as schools and other ministries, have missed the opportunity to be blessed as they give to the gospel work of their choice?

This observation comes from seeing so many Christian schools and other gospel-based works employ a secular methodology. Here is what I mean.

Take the typical appeal letter that arrives in our mailbox on any given day. It has, in general, several standard components.

1. A greeting
2. The great work
3. The needs of the great work
4. Your opportunity to fund our needs

That is fine as far as it goes, but is "there's nothing really wrong with that" the standard?

This begs the question, "If the Lord has principles by which gospel ministry is done, then does He care about the way resources are raised?"

I believe the answer is a resounding "yes" and I am concerned that donors do not experience ministry when they give. Not only do the scriptures provide much guidance for the accumulation and use of money, they also teach how our hearts should be oriented as we give. If we give "God's way" then we should expect to be blessed in the process. It's a kind of growing in grace if you will.

What kind of ministry should a donor experience? Is that too much to ask of a school or crisis pregnancy center?

But, if the fundraising methods "work", then do we really care whether they are secular or not? A ministry can raise great sums with a secular appeal with a little Bible sprinkled in to sanctify or bless it. But, God will not be mocked. If a ministry pays lip service to God's provisions, why should he throw open the gates of heaven and bless it?

As a donor I want to see my local or national ministries flourish especially in times of economic stress. When they do I can see the Lord defying conventional wisdom and demonstrating that He is, in fact, the owner of everything.

Here is the continuation of last week's list:

Donor Right #6: Make the connection to the Gospel a regular part of our dialogue; let me know you are more than Christian in name only.

Donor Right #7: Show me good stewardship of how you spend money; get an annual audit or accreditation from ECFA. Also, let me know how you are leveraging your gifts to help other works that are similar to yours.

Donor Right #8: Remind me that accumulation is fleeting (and dangerous); I need to remember that I cannot take it with me

Donor Right #9: Get to know me personally; help me connect my own passions and provisions with Kingdom purposes.

Donor right #10: Show me the eternal consequences of this work; even more than the direct relief it provides.

If donors demanded more of ministries then maybe that would drive the ministries to seek the scriptures to learn how they should go about raising resources.

Then, and only then, should they expect to experience God's favor in His pouring out more from the heavenly treasure stores He controls.

If you believe this way of thinking is helpful please contact me and we can discuss where to go from here.

Saving Your Way to Prosperity

I know a company that was very good at centralizing common functions (accounting, personnel, etc.) between business units so that it could wring out redundancies; a practice also known as gaining synergies. This practice works for a period of time as the head counts and the corresponding costs are reduced. After awhile, the business must grow on its own merits to stay competitive.

Christian schools and other ministries have leaders who have business backgrounds and, when the financial times get difficult, tend to move quickly to the "slash expenses" mode to balance the budget.

Cutting expenses is easier and faster than raising funds or improving the "product". However, when we reduce expenses we are also eliminating some of the program or capabilities that caused people to come to the school in the first place. After all, we didn't intentionally hire non-productive overhead just so that it could be eliminated when the economic times get tough.

Here are a few questions that you might ask as you consider plans to "hunker down" or "circle the wagons" to achieve financial viability:

1. Is this a short-term or a long-term reduction? Do you plan to add this program or function back in the near future? Could it cost more to add later?
2. Is the current situation a statistical aberration? Or, is this a trend that you do not know how to correct?
3. How aware are the stakeholders? Have they been brought to the table to brainstorm ideas other than straight cost reduction?
4. Have you discussed this with other schools who seem to be strong and flourishing? Would you be willing to ask them for advice or counsel or prayer or help? Could you even partner with another school to combine a program, such as athletics, rather than eliminate it all together?
5. What if there is another school that needs something that you have? Would you be willing to help them?

Admittedly, these financial situations often seem to come up rather quickly. There may not be enough time to look at the more creative and complex ideas.

But, for the long-term good of the school (including morale), please look at solutions that do not cut out muscle from the school.

We can't save our way to prosperity every year.

Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"