“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

Singer-songwriter Bill Withers won a Grammy for “Lean on Me,” his tribute to friendship:

Lean on me, when you’re not strong | And I’ll be your friend | I’ll help you carry on | For it won’t be long | ‘Til I’m gonna need | Somebody to lean on

These lyrics echo Solomon’s teaching “two are better than one.” This is especially true when it comes to fundraising. Fundraising is a difficult job; not everyone understands your challenges and pressures. You need a friend for mutual encouragement. When your friend is down, you can help them up; when you are discouraged, they can lift your spirits. Here are three friends to lean on.

An Inside Friend
Do you have a supportive colleague within your organization? Someone to be your sounding board, who gets your culture, and shares honest feedback. Find someone you trust who understands something about fundraising. You need a friend to listen to your frustrations and faithfully pray for you. You need someone who rejoices when God accomplishes something incredible and mourns when times are tough (see Rom. 12:15). If you are the executive, you need a board member who has your back when you face trials of many kinds.

An Outside Friend
This person knows and loves you and your organization but is one step removed from the palace intrigue. Their greatest value is their unbiased perspective. Outside friends can be your personal mentor, other development professionals, or a fundraising consultant. An outside friend can speak honestly about your situation and offer wisdom because they’ve been in your shoes. Which friend do you have on speed dial?

A Fundraising Friend
The best professional friend is a fundraising friend. This person stands shoulder to shoulder with you in your efforts. Board members make ideal fundraising friends especially when they actively identify, cultivate, and solicit their friends. They can join you on donor calls and share why they believe in your ministry. Perhaps you don’t have a friend with fundraising experience. Find someone who loves your ministry and is willing to learn. Recruit a major donor to introduce you to his or her circle of friends. When major donors get excited about a project, their ask changes from, “Will you give?” to “Will you join me?”
You need all three friends because “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecc. 4:12). We all need somebody to help us carry on. Will you be that somebody to lean on? What fundraising colleague can you encourage this week?

Think About This: Rudyard Kipling wrote a famous line in his poem, The Winners, “He travels the fastest who travels alone.” You are probably more familiar with the opposite proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” Fundraising isn’t take-the-money-and-run, it’s building long-term relationships with your ministry partners.

Response: Father, please forgive me for trying to succeed in my own strength. Help me find some friends to help us accomplish our goal together.

Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored three books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising, Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving, and Keep on Asking – Bold, Spirit-Led Fundraising. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for  Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations” (Isaiah 61:4).

Jesus quoted Isaiah 61 in his first sermon, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18). As followers of Jesus, you are the “they” of Isaiah 61 because God has called you to a ministry of reconciliation (see 2 Cor. 5:18). Whether it’s sheltering and feeding the homeless, saving an unborn child, rescuing a woman trapped in abuse, or training a student in God’s word; you have a high calling of fundraising.

Your fundraising efforts must produce consistent results so your ministry can reach its greatest impact. Unfortunately, many development departments have fallen into disrepair and need serious renovations. Consider these four strategies to revitalize your fundraising efforts.

Rebuild
Most nonprofits are vexed by bad data. Common issues are missing contact fields, outdated information, data entered in the wrong field, misspellings, and duplicate entries. Without real-time maintenance, your database can quickly fall into chaos. Download your data into a spreadsheet and use the “sort and filter” button on each column to highlight errors. Try sorting by street address, full names, or email address. Once you’ve updated your list, submit it to a service like truencoa.com which will run it through the USPS database to provide you with forwarding addresses and 9-digit zip codes. Rebuild your fundraising plan on accurate information.

Restore
It’s difficult to fix everything at once, but your top priority must be to reconnect with your key donors. Schedule personal visits with your Top 10/Next 20 and ask why they haven’t given in a while. Listen to their concerns and seek to restore their confidence. Sometimes, it means giving an overdue “thank you.” Sometimes you may need to be a peacemaker.

Renew
Renew your donor relationships by sharing a compelling reason to give again. What’s changed in your organization? If the old has passed, what new creation has come? Share your new plans with your insiders. “See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you” (Isa. 42:9).

Reconcile
Andrew, the new executive director, had no idea the previous director had created a toxic work environment. The team had suffered from verbal abuse, insults, and unending criticism. Andrew swiftly took charge, organizing meetings where he genuinely listened to the pain and grievances of both current and former employees. His kindness, compassion, and sincere requests for forgiveness became the talk of the organization. Donors who had written off the organization also heard glowing reports of Andrew’s Spirit-led approach and wanted to reengage. With his humble leadership, Andrew effectively rewrote the narrative and started a fresh ministry chapter.

Think About This: Isaiah prophesied about the positive things God’s people would accomplish. “Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings” (Isa. 58:12). Repair and restore with joy. You may need to change your business card.

Response: Lord, please help me serve with humility to fix what is broken in our organization.

Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored three books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising, Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving, and Keep on Asking – Bold, Spirit-Led Fundraising. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for  Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“Some of you wandered for years in the desert, looking but not finding a good place to live, Half-starved and parched with thirst, staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion” (Psalm 107:4-5 MSG).

When Eugene Peterson penned The Message paraphrase, he had no idea how his phrases in Psalm 107 would speak to fundraisers. Does this describe you? Are you in a fundraising desert “half-starved and parched with thirst, staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion?” Unfortunately, this describes many who raise funds. Asking for money is difficult and can be exhausting. Even the best fundraisers face dry spells and wonder why what they are doing is not producing results.

Hope
“Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God. He got you out in the nick of time;
He put your feet on a wonderful road that took you straight to a good place to live” (Psa. 107:6-7 MSG).
There is hope! Your financial condition might look desperate now, but you serve the living God – the “God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome” (Deut. 10:17). When you are in distress, you can call on him because he will answer you (see Psa. 86:7). Cry out to him, “because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people” (Isa. 43:21).

God’s Answer
So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves. He poured great draughts of water down parched throats; the starved and hungry got plenty to eat” (Psa. 107:4-9 MSG).
God’s answers to your fundraising challenges are perfect. If you need more donors, he can guide you to the right acquisition strategies. If you need more volunteers, he can lead faithful people to you. If you need a significant major gift, he can touch someone’s heart to say “Yes!” to your gift proposal. God can change your perspective and pull you out of your desperate condition. He can quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger. He can “put your feet on a wonderful road and take you straight to a good place to live” (vs. 9).

Timing
We give up too soon simply because we’re not getting the results we want right away. Learn to persevere. God’s timing is perfect. Often, he answers just in the nick of time! “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded” (2 Chron. 15:7).

Think About This: Before launching his boats into the Delaware, George Washington read to the raiding party an excerpt from Thomas Paine’s pamphlet “The Crisis” published two days earlier. “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” What a great application to fundraising!

Response: Lord, help me trust you when I’m on the brink of exhaustion. Help me realize the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph for you.

Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored three books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising, Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving, and Keep on Asking – Bold, Spirit-Led Fundraising. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for  Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:19-20).

We should “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Pet. 3:15). It’s also important to prepare for donor visits. Sometimes we worry, “what if I don’t say the right thing,” or worse, “what if I say something wrong?” Jesus instructed his disciples when they were called before the judge, not to worry about what to say or how to say it because it wouldn’t be them speaking, but the Spirit speaking through them. Here are five actions to prepare well for your next donor conversation.

Memorize
Donor visits should be conversations not presentations, but having a scripted donor pitch can help. Just like a preacher memorizes key phrases for an extemporaneous sermon, you should memorize essential information about your mission, vision, and project. Anticipate questions and write out your responses. This will help you speak with confidence and handle tough questions like a pro.

Internalize
Memorize some key phrases but use your own words. Rehearse your ask out loud with a friend to improve your delivery. Your conversations should be natural, not robotic. Showing you genuinely believe in your mission and programs boosts your credibility. Donors can sense if you have a passion and conviction for what your ministry does or if it’s just words.

Personalize
Tailor your approach to your donors’ interests and past giving patterns. The closer you align your appeal to your donors’ heart the more likely they will give generously. When it comes to effective solicitation, “one size doesn’t fit all.” Ask the right person for the right project for the right amount.

Prioritize
When planning donor visits, have specific outcomes in mind. Don’t just visit to visit. Identify the purpose for your conversation. Is it a discovery call to learn their interests? A follow-up call to answer their questions? A thank-you call to express appreciation? One important goal is to attentively listen to their giving heart. Another is to share your proposal and confidently ask for a specific gift.

Crystalize
Your donors will never forget a great story. A Gideon missionary was distributing New Testaments on a busy street corner. One person shouted they would take a bible if they could use the paper to roll their cigarettes. The missionary responded, “That’s fine, but promise to read the page first before you tear it out and smoke it.” A few months later, the same person approached the missionary on the same corner and shared, “I smoked my way through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and when I got to John, I trusted in Jesus!”

Think About This: Ultimately, you are not responsible for the outcome, you are God’s spokesperson to present your ministry to the best of your ability and ask for your donors’ support. Before your next visit, ask God for “what to say and how to say it.” Then let the Spirt speak through you.

Response: Lord, please help me prepare well and pray fervently.

Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored three books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising, Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving, and Keep on Asking – Bold, Spirit-Led Fundraising. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for  Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“You are those who have stood by me in my trials” (Luke 22:28).

One of the scenes during the Last Supper includes the disciples arguing about who would be the greatest in the kingdom. In response, Jesus taught them one last time about what it means to be a servant. Then he commended them for standing by him through all his trials. Some early followers had turned back because his teaching was too difficult to accept (see John 6:66), but these eleven had faithfully walked with him. Jesus’ words of affirmation seem ironic on the night all of them would scatter. Nevertheless, Jesus shared genuine appreciation for his remaining followers. Consider these ways to honor your donors.

Express Gratitude.

Jesus thanked his disciples for their loyalty. No doubt you have several donors who have supported your organization through challenging times. Have you thanked them recently? By expressing gratitude for their steadfastness, you will strengthen the relationship between your donors and your ministry. Some honor longtime supporters with trophies but receiving gifts is not everyone’s love language. One individual was given a custom-engraved crystal award but didn’t want to fly home with it because it took up too much room in her suitcase.

Challenge Them with a Big Ask.

Jim is a development director who genuinely cares for his donors who aren’t just names on his portfolio, but close friends. Bill and Mary had supported Jim’s ministry faithfully over the years. For one capital campaign, Jim challenged them to consider a $1 million gift. Even though Bill had the financial capacity, he resisted and told Jim, “I hope the fact that we can’t give this gift won’t harm our friendship.” Jim responded, “Bill, nothing could come between us. I am just grateful for the privilege of asking you for a gift of this size. Not everyone has this ability.”

Bill and Mary prayed about the gift. Two weeks later Bill called Jim and said, “Mary and I have been thinking and talking. God has been so good to us and we want to give that gift.” Jim expressed his incredible thankfulness for Bill and Mary’s generosity.

Offer Mutual Support.

Just as your donors have stood by you in difficult times you should encourage them when they’re going through rough waters. Perhaps you can visit them in the hospital, pray with them over a prodigal child, encourage them through a financial crisis, or mourn with them at the graveside of a loved one. As a donor representative you have the unique privilege of accompanying your ministry partners as they walk through dark valleys. By offering a listening ear and demonstrating care, you can build stronger bonds and show you value them beyond their financial contributions.

Several years later, Bill passed away. Jim was the first person Mary called. She sent her private jet to pick up Jim so he could fly to Florida and accompany her as they brought Bill’s body home. She did not ask her sons to accompany her—she asked Jim.

Think About This: When you care for donors experiencing difficult times, they will remember you when you experience difficult times. Whom are you standing by in their time of trial?

Response: Lord, help me honor my donors in genuine ways.

Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored three books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising, Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving, and Keep on Asking – Bold, Spirit-Led Fundraising. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for  Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom” (Song of Songs 2:15).

Little things can drive wedges between you and your donors. The Bridegroom warned his Bride to catch the little foxes that would spoil their vine. In a marriage, the little differences which attracted you and your spouse can become huge annoyances if you don’t apply love in liberal doses. Fundraising is similar. How many former donors are on your “Do Not Contact” list because of an offence? Watch out for these five little foxes:

Poor Communication

Every failed donor relationship can be traced back to a fundamental issue—lack of communication.

The true root problem is really the absence of attentive listening. Stephen Covey observed, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” We focus more on what we plan to say next instead of what the donor is saying. Foster successful donor relationships by listening more than speaking. Dedicate at least half of your donor conversations to active listening to glean vital insights into their core values and motivations.

Unmet Expectations

Donors believe you will use their gift for what you say you will. Unfortunately, when budgets get tight ministry leaders are tempted to find ways to apply designated gifts to undesignated budget items. These bookkeeping gymnastics may cover short-term budget needs but will often create long-term donor issues. When a donor’s gift is used for another purpose without their consent, they may feel betrayed, misled, frustrated, and distrustful towards your organization.

Lack of Empathy

Sometimes we focus so much on our programs and our financial needs we forget to show love and compassion. A donor shared the sad story of one trusted employee who had just embezzled $150,000. The donor representative was prepared to ask for $150,000 gift. Wisely, he kept the proposal in his folder for another day and focused on encouraging the donor in his loss. Be sensitive to the Spirit and “mourn with those who mourn” (Rom. 12:15).

Taking Donors for Granted

If every conversation you have with your donors is asking for money, you will quickly burn your relationships. Avoid treating your donors as mere ATM machines, expecting money to effortlessly flow out by pushing a few buttons. Treasure donors’ support, value their contributions, show gratitude, build relationships, and never underestimate their impact on your mission. Donors sense when you only appreciate them for what they have and what they can give, instead of who they are.

Thanklessness

One of the signs of the last days is people will be “ungrateful” (see 2 Tim. 3:1-3). Failing to express gratitude and appreciation for donors’ contributions cuts their motivation to continue supporting your cause. Acknowledging their generosity, providing heartfelt thanks, and demonstrating the impact of their donations are crucial in fostering long-lasting and meaningful donor relationships.

Think About This: The best way to keep these little foxes in check is with two little words: time and love. Spend time with your donors and genuinely love them. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

Response: Lord, please help me cultivate deep relationships with our donors.

Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored three books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising, Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving, and Keep on Asking – Bold, Spirit-Led Fundraising. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for  Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them” (Acts 16:6-10).

NASA uses the Go/No-Go decision making process to determine everything is cleared for launch. Critical details are checked and double-checked before mission control declares, “All systems are go!” Discerning God’s will can be confusing at times. We map out our strategic plans but sometimes things don’t progress as we hope. Paul’s experience at Troas is a perfect example of handling uncertainty in ministry.

No
In Paul’s first attempted to preach the gospel in Asia, the Holy Spirit prevented him. What happened? Could they not get passports? Did someone physically stand in their way? Ultimately, the Lord holds the key to the door, “What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open” (Rev. 3:7). When your first idea doesn’t work, keep trying.

No Again
Paul pivoted toward Bithynia, “but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.” Can you imagine the conversations among his traveling companions? Perhaps they questioned God’s leading; perhaps they questioned Paul’s leadership. Solomon counseled, “for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again” (Prov. 24:16). Every “no” gets you closer to a “yes.”

Go
That evening, the Holy Spirit gave Paul the vision of a man of Macedonia calling for help. A church hired an architect to design new facilities. The congregation gave positive feedback but wondered if the sanctuary plans were too large for the available parking spaces. To discern the Lord’s will, the elders proposed two Go/No-Go data points: (1) conduct a traffic study, and (2) move forward only if the elders had one hundred percent unity. God answered their prayers, but not like they thought. The study revealed the site did not have adequate parking spaces, and the elders voted unanimously to ask the architect to significantly rework the plans. God brought clarity. Yet, it took courageous leadership to pull back and start over.

Go Now
Once Paul had clarity, they “got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them” (Acts 16:10). Clare DeGraaf wrote in his book, The 10 Second Rule, “Just do the next thing you’re reasonably certain Jesus wants you to do and do it quickly before you change your mind.”

Think About This: How will you know which path to take? “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isa. 30:21).

Response: Father, please guide us on your path. Help us listen for the Spirit’s voice to know the right next step.

Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored three books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising, Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving, and Keep on Asking – Bold, Spirit-Led Fundraising. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for  Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you” (Leviticus 26:8).

You know the adage, “It takes money to make money.” The Pierce Family Foundation in Chicago surveyed ninety nonprofit organizations to learn the number of fundraisers they employ per dollar raised. They discovered it takes one full-time staff person to raise $500,000. How many fundraising staff do you need to be successful? God promised if Israel followed his commands, he would help them accomplish much more than they could in their own strength. When they were obedient, the math was 5 to 100 and 100 to 10,000.

Five
“Five will chase a hundred.” Which five will you hire? As executive director, you are the number one fundraiser. Your first hire should be an administrative assistant to help you manage your donor portfolio. Secondly, hire a development director who spends most of his or her time outside the office visiting donors. For every subsequent hire you should ask, “Are they adding overhead or gift income?” One rule of thumb is a gift officer should raise their salary in the first year, double it in the second, and triple it in the third.

One Hundred
If “one hundred of you will chase ten thousand,” should you hire one hundred fundraisers? Universities have an army of major gift officers, grant writers, researchers, a marketing team, event planners, plus all the latest software to track every gift and every gift officer’s next move. Whether your organization has dozens of fundraisers or just you—fundraising is still identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors.

Two
Moses’ math was, “How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had surrendered them?” (Deut. 32:10). Moses warned if Israel disobeyed, only two enemies could defeat them. The opposite is also true. Two will put ten thousand enemies on the run. The same principle works for you. Two can accomplish much. “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven” (Matt. 18:19).

One
Joshua encouraged Israel with this promise. “One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised. So be very careful to love the Lord your God.” (Josh. 23:10-11). Don’t be discouraged if you’re all alone. God can multiply your efforts. Helen Keller said, “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”

Think About This: God promised an abundant harvest for obedience, “You will still be eating last year’s harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new” (Lev. 26:10). God can bless you with so much abundance you will have to make room for all the new money!

Response: Father, we don’t have one hundred fundraisers. Please guide us with the Spirit’s power and direction to multiply our efforts.

“Fundraising Staffing Survey.” n.d. Pierce Family Foundation. https://www.piercefamilyfoundation.org/resource/fundraising-staffing-survey/

Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored three books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising, Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving, and Keep on Asking – Bold, Spirit-Led Fundraising. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for  Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

As a Christian ministry, should you fundraise like the world fundraises? Jerry Panas (1928-2018) was the premier fundraiser of modern times. He wrote 20 books including such classics as ASKING, Mega Gifts, and Born to Raise. Soak in three of his quotes, “Little of consequence would ever have been accomplished in this world without someone having had the courage to ask,” “The true art of asking lies in listening,” and “Only three ingredients are needed to be a successful fundraiser: Hard work, hard work, and hard work.” Read everything can from Panas because all truth is God’s truth.

As Christian fundraisers, our methods go beyond what the world has to offer because they have divine power to demolish strongholds. Overcoming the love of money and the deceitfulness of riches are fundraising strongholds. We have an advantage over the world because when a donor gives to our ministries, they reap eternal rewards. Consider these four perspectives.

Faith
Ultimately, generosity is not a financial decision, it’s a faith decision. Both the asker and the giver must have faith God will provide for their needs. Secular fundraising professionals can only appeal to their donors based on how a potential gift might alleviate human problems. We can appeal to our donors with the truth that their gifts will make a physical and eternal difference in the lives of those we serve.

Hope
Paul teaches in 1 Timothy 6:17, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God.” We have the privilege of challenging our donors to place their hope in God by laying up “treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age” (1 Tim. 6:19).

Love
Consider this scene from Mark 10:21 about the rich young ruler, “Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’” This young man’s riches prevented him from laying up treasure in heaven. Jesus loved him by challenging him to generosity which can only come from a heart changed by love.

Prayer
It goes without saying that fundraisers should be prayer warriors. “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray” (James 5:13). Seriously, when it comes to your fundraising efforts you should “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Eph. 6:18). The strongholds of greed and selfishness will not be demolished without prayer.

Think About This: Jerry had a sign on his desk, “If you can read this… you are not out calling on prospects.” That’s great advice for everyone who raises money!

Response: Father, help me learn as much as I can from successful fundraisers then remind me you are the final authority. “I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes” (Psa. 119:99).

Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored three books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising, Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving, and Keep on Asking – Bold, Spirit-Led Fundraising. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for  Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“He called together the priests and Levites and said to them, ‘Go to the towns of Judah and collect the money due annually from all Israel, to repair the temple of your God. Do it now.’ But the Levites did not act at once” (2 Chronicles 24:5).

Joash became king at age seven and ruled for forty years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. During his reign, the Temple developed some serious deferred maintenance issues, so he ordered the priests and Levites to collect gifts and make the repairs. His instructions were crystal clear, “Do it now!” Unfortunately, the Levites procrastinated and never started the work. Do you have a project you’ve never finished? How do you recover from a stalled capital campaign? King Joash offers four answers.

Transparency
After sixteen years, King Joash called Jehoiada the chief priest to give an account of the project. His investigation uncovered negligence, misappropriation of funds, and even theft. “Now the sons of that wicked woman Athaliah had broken into the temple of God and had used even its sacred objects for the Baals” (2 Chron. 24:7). Sadly, many Christian organizations have been rocked by poor financial management or even fraud and embezzlement. Make sure you have internal controls and accurate accounting. Donor trust is built on reliable financial information.

Accountability
The best way to regain donor confidence is to acknowledge what went wrong and explain why it happened. Ben Franklin said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” King Joash wasn’t happy about the delays and excuses, so he appointed his royal secretary to collect the gifts, purchase supplies, and hire masons and carpenters to start the work. To rebuild trust, your ministry may need to replace some irresponsible employees with responsible ones.

Integrity
If a project is delayed because of poor planning, leadership changes, plan revisions, or any other reason, donors begin to question the ministry’s credibility. When you raise money for a project, you raise donor expectations their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given. Fundraising demands integrity. Did you use the funds how you said you would, or did you divert them to another project? “The men in charge of the work were diligent, and the repairs progressed under them. They rebuilt the temple of God according to its original design and reinforced it” (2 Chron. 24:13).

Participation
King Joash addressed the internal problems then called the people to bring their gifts to the temple and deposit them in a chest he had made. “All the officials and all the people brought their contributions gladly, dropping them into the chest until it was full” (vs. 10). They collected “a great amount of money” and hired workmen to restore the temple. Generosity grows when donor confidence grows. The people were so generous the priests made more articles for the temple with the additional funds.

Think About This: People will rally to your cause when you take responsibility for your mistakes, communicate a clear vision, and outline a clear path to accomplish your vision.

Response: Father, help us always “be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone” (Romans 12:17).

Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored three books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising, Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving, and Keep on Asking – Bold, Spirit-Led Fundraising. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for  Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.