Fundraising Quick Tips: Organic Fundraising - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Today's post is the first in a here-and-there series about fundraising--a subject few want to talk about and many see as a mere necessary evil in ministry. As a former "development officer" and now part-time fundraising consultant (Jesus salesman, panhandler, beggar-for-hire...all names my friends have called yours truly), I will now deign to offer my insights into this most hated activity and how you can stop despising it and transform fundraising into an integral, maybe even organic, aspect of your ministry.

Fundraising should be an organic part of your ministry. Scripture teaches that giving is just one of many acts of devotion to Christ and should evidence/be accompanied by total Christian living, (1 Cor. 13:3, 1 John 3:17). Mirroring this integrated approach, you should weave opportunities for folks to financially partner with you throughout your ministry relationships.

No, this doesn't mean simply adding more "donate now" buttons to your website. (You do use online giving, don't you?)

Biblical, organic fundraising also requires you to call folks more than just once-a-year to "hit 'em up" for more ministry cash. You should actually live out your love for your ministry partners by praying for them, ministering to them, and if they own a business or provide a service, actually ask them how it's going and pray about folks you might send their way, (see Gal. 6:2, Phil. 2:4).

But how do we make fundraising a more organic part of our ministry? A few ideas...

1) Put a link on your homepage to a testimonials section featuring folks who've given to the ministry and seen God move through their efforts. This helps build community and establishes giving as a vital part of the ministry's continued health. If you have audio or video, that's even better than simple written testimonies. If you only have written stories, include a picture of the giver and/or the group ministered to through their gift.

2) Don't just talk about giving at the end of your newsletters and emails. No more "Oh, and by the way, we need money." Start your correspondence with, or at least include in almost every communication, a story of the Lord's work in an individual or group through your ministry and thank everyone who gave to help make it happen.

3) Implement strategic volunteering throughout your ministry. One great way that the Holy Spirit builds up the Body of Christ through the "proper working of each part," is through folks doing more than stuffing/licking envelopes until their fingers bleed and their taste buds fail. Use your partners'/members' skills, not just their load-bearing capabilities.

Do you know a CPA or CFP? Why not ask her to give an hour a week to help with the books or, even better, plan your ministry's investment strategies?

Do you know a plumber or electrician? Why not approach him to fill that critical need of a remodeled bathroom for your outreach center/church, and couch it in terms of the potential ministry impact of their labor?

Do you know a handful of successful business owners with a solid biblical foundation (and I mean biblical)? Why not recruit them to prayerfully help you plan the future of your ministry?

This strategic volunteering should be preceded by your commitment to/clear communication about your desire to best utilize the many fellow workers God has brought your way, beyond their ability to write big checks. Don't accept their buy-off; prayerfully seek their buy-in. Now that's organic!

Next time I blog about fundraising, I'll share four key aspects of nearly every successful ministry communication. Feedback?