“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

Elijah prayed and it did not rain for three and a half years. Imagine forty-two months without rain—rivers dwindle to a trickle, lakes evaporate, crops fail, livestock die of thirst, and hope slowly fades. Elijah prayed again and “the heaven gave rain and the earth produced its crops” (James 5:18).  It wasn’t a quick “bless the missionaries” prayer. Seven times he prayed and asked his servant to look to the sky for answers. Six times the servant saw nothing, but the seventh time he saw “a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea” (1 Kings 18:44). God opened the windows of heaven because of Elijah’s persistent prayer.

Are you experiencing a budget drought? You need P.U.S.H Fundraising—Pray Until Something Happens. Often, we stop praying after one or two anemic prayers, but God answers when we persevere. Sure, you pray to meet your budget, but do you pray for the individuals who can help you meet your budget? If you only know your donors by their I.D. numbers, you can only pray in generalities. But if you know your donors intimately, you can pray with understanding. Paul prayed these requests for the Colossian believers (see Col. 1:9-10).

Know God’s will. “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (vs. 9).
Knowing and doing God’s will is top of mind for every believer who wants to wholeheartedly serve the Lord. Your ministry partners need knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to make good stewardship decisions.

Live worthy. “Live a life worthy of the Lord” (v.10).
To walk worthy means our actions match our words. Sincere believers don’t say one thing and do another. Wealth comes with many temptations. Unfortunately, many “have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Tim. 6:10). Pray for your ministry partners to live their faith, not merely profess it.

Please God. “Please him in every way” (v. 10).
In the last days, people will be “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:4). Pray your donors will not be swayed by “the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things” (Mark 4:19). Your donors need wisdom to please the Lord in their money management, especially their giving.

Bear fruit. “Bearing fruit in every good work” (v 10).
Jesus taught, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Pray your ministry partners will remain in Christ and bear fruit that lasts. Hudson Taylor said, “The Lord’s work done in the Lord’s way will never fail to have the Lord’s provision.” In response Francis Shaefer observed, “The Lord’s work done in human energy is not the Lord’s work any longer. It is something, but it is not the Lord’s work.”

Think About This: If God answered all your prayers, would it change the world and your ministry partners, or just your budget?

Response: Father, please help me pray specifically for our donors to seek your will and bear much fruit through their generosity.

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 At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared” (Exodus 23:20).

As Moses and the Israelites embarked on their journey to the Promised Land, the Lord sent his angel to ensure they arrived safely at their destination. God was very intentional about Israel’s steps forward and he’s also concerned about your next ministry steps. It’s important to have a clear vision, a sound strategic plan, and strong follow through, but how do know you’re headed in the right direction? God sends his angels to guide you to where he wants you to go.

Send
God’s billions of angels stand ready to serve him (Psa. 130:2). One of their assignments is to serve the redeemed, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14). The Lord sent an angel ahead of Israel to keep them on the right path. If his angel guided Israel corporately, you can be assured his angels are actively involved in your mission. He will lead you to the right ministry partners and prepare them to give generously.

Guard
You are in a spiritual battle with many adversaries. Praise the Lord, he didn’t leave you to fend for yourself. His unseen soldiers are protecting you from spiritual attacks. Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den for his obedience, but God sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions (Dan. 6:22). God has an eternal purpose for every trial your ministry faces. You might feel surrounded by enemies, but God can silence their voices.

Bring
King Herod threw Peter into prison for preaching the Good News. So, the Lord dispatched an angel to plan a divine jailbreak (see Acts 19). He woke Peter, removed his chains, led him past the guards, and opened the iron gate. The church was fasting and praying but was shocked when Peter showed up at the door. This miraculous rescue emphases the important role prayer plays in your success and how angels deliver answered prayers. You must recruit a team of supporters who will faithfully pray for you.

Prepare
God successfully brought Israel to the Promised Land and has an important role for your ministry to fulfill in his kingdom. He has people for you to serve, and donors prepared to partner with you. One of our greatest enemies is discouragement. Elijah experienced burnout from his spiritual battles with the prophets of Baal. He ran away from Jezebel one hundred and fifty miles and fell totally exhausted beneath the broom tree (see 1 Kings 19:1-7). An angel came and ministered to him with food, water, and sleep. Ministry, especially fundraising, can be discouraging. Are you spiritually exhausted? God can strengthen you when you’re too tired to keep going.

Think About This: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Heb. 13:2). Everyone wants a fundraising angel to appear out of nowhere with an incredible gift. Occasionally, God provides miraculous gifts. Love the strangers in your world, one might be an angel.

Response: Lord, thank you for sending your angels to strengthen our team and help us accomplish your goals.

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 At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“I will drive him like a peg into a firm place; he will become a seat of honor for the house of his father. All the glory of his family will hang on him: its offspring and offshoots—all its lesser vessels, from the bowls to all the jars” (Isaiah 22:23-24).

Eliakim son of Hilkiah was a servant of King Hezekiah whom the Lord promoted to the throne. Isaiah described Eliakim as a peg driven into a firm place. Householders hung their kitchen utensils on pegs in the wall. Something on its peg was in its proper place ready to be used. This unusual image illustrates the importance of preparing major donors who are ready to support your ministry.

Open/Shut
Isaiah gave Eliakim the keys of David meaning “what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open” (Isa. 22:22). John used the same description for Jesus Christ (Rev. 3:8). When the Lord opens a door for your ministry, no one can shut it—yet many will try to stand in your way (1 Cor. 16:9). Major donors can help you unlock opportunities that others can’t. Share your passions for what you believe God is prompting you to solve. Help them see how they can lay up treasures in heaven by partnering with you.

Hang On
Firm pegs illustrate security. Eliakim was a strong leader on which Israel could rely. Having trusted major donors by your side gives you confidence to tackle new opportunities. If your key supporters endorse your direction, then you will succeed. Who will stand with you to open your next ministry door? Identify those major donors in a feasibility study as you consider a capital campaign.

Large/Small
Everything was held by a peg—from the large pans and pots to the small bowls and cups. Don’t think that just because you’re not a big ministry major donors won’t be interested in what you do. Major donors have room for more than one ministry on their giving list. Giving is based on relationships. Concentrate on identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major donors already in your constituency.

Go Away
Eliakim was a “peg in a firm place” for a season. Eventually, he was broken off when Judah was finally sent into captivity (Isa. 22:25). Sometimes, when a major donor adopts a ministry, the ministry relies too heavily on that single donor. A major donor had given $600,000 annually to a Christian school for more than ten years. One day, he decided to shift his giving priorities to other interests forcing the school to scramble to make up the lost revenue. Find more than one firm peg to hang onto.

Think About This: Robert Pierpont, from the Fund Raising School at the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, observes that in a capital campaign the ten largest gifts set the pace for success. If you don’t secure key leadership gifts, you can’t find enough small gifts to fill the gap. Pierpont remarked, “Once the big-gift-first sequence has been seriously violated, the entire program is in jeopardy.” Focus your efforts on finding firm peg donors and hang your capital campaign on them.

Response: Father, please bring us key supporters who will partner with us to fulfill your mission.

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 At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success” (Ecclesiastes 10:10).

Abraham Lincoln said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.” Solomon and Abe understood the value of sharp tools. If your ax is dull, it takes much more time and energy to accomplish your task. This principle applies directly to fundraising. You can work hard but success comes to those who have sharpened their skills. Here are five ways to hone your fundraising chops.

Learn on the Job
God called Isaiah to become a prophet, “Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword” (Isa. 49:1-2). Isaiah didn’t go to prophet’s school, God put his words in Isaiah’s mouth. If God has called you to fundraising, he will teach you what to say and how to say it (see Matt. 10:19-20).

Read a Book
Libraries are filled with great fundraising books and articles. Immerse yourself in Scripture so you can encourage donors, “to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share” (1 Tim. 6:18). Major Donor Game Plan by Pat McLaughlin shares practical insights from 40 years of fundraising that will encourage you to ask boldly. Henry Nouwen’s classic, The Spirituality of Fundraising, will help you see asking and giving as acts of faith with eternal value.

Take a Class
There are many educational degrees, certificates, and informal workshops available for fundraising. One option to consider is the Certified Christian Nonprofit Leader (CCNL) program from Christian Leadership Alliance. The training covers all aspects of leadership with a third of the required courses focused on fundraising.

Find a Friend
Fundraising is a high pressure job. Praise the Lord if you have a supportive board who actively participates in your fundraising efforts. If you feel alone, you need a fundraising friend with whom you can pray, share ideas, and encourage one another. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another,” (Prov. 27:17). Find a mentor and learn from their fundraising success.

Hire Help
Solomon didn’t have the skilled workers he needed to build the Temple, so he turned to Hiram for help. “So give orders that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. My men will work with yours, and I will pay you for your men whatever wages you set. You know that we have no one so skilled in felling timber as the Sidonians.” (1 Kings 5:6). Solomon was wise to seek help in areas where he had no experience. Cutting down trees takes wisdom, skill, and insights that only come from experience. If you’ve never asked for money, hire an expert who can show you how to ask. It’s money well spent that will yield lasting results.

Think About This: Asking is a skill you learn by doing. Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. Sharpen your message by rehearsing your presentation with a friend or in a small group.

Response: Lord, please sharpen my fundraising skills. Make me “useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work” (2 Tim. 2:21).

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 At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“We constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

Thessalonica was a brief, but productive stop on Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-8). The unbelieving Jews were so jealous of the gospel’s success, they ran Paul and Silas out of town. Though he left abruptly, he kept thinking about and praying for these friends and sent Timothy back to check on them (1 Thess. 3:1-2). We can learn much about our donor relationships from Paul’s relationship with the Thessalonians.

Donor-Focused
We can hear Paul’s heart for these believers in the language he used. In 2 Thessalonians 1, he emphasized “you” and “your” seventeen times to express his love. He thanked God for them (vs. 3), boasted about their faith (vs. 4), gave them hope in God’s justice (vs. 5-10), and “constantly prayed for them” (vs. 11). Paul’s writing style should prompt us to incorporate more “you” phrases in our writing and conversations. Consider these phrases, “Your help is needed now more than ever,” or “You can fan the flames of revival,” or “We know you want to make a difference,” or “Your gift will last beyond your lifetime.” As you design marketing materials, focus on your donor—not you.

God-Focused
The Thessalonian believers were suffering under great persecution. Twice Paul asked God to make them “worthy of his calling” (vs. 5, 11). What an incredible encouragement it must have been to know that the Apostle Paul was constantly praying for them. Your donors are also experiencing trials of many kinds and you have the privilege of praying for them. Point them to the cross. Pray that God will bring relief and glorify himself (vs. 6, 12).

Donor Success
Paul prayed for God’s favor for his friends. Your donors desire to be good stewards of the resources God has given them. Paul prayed that their every good desire and every deed prompted by faith would become a reality. Know your donors well enough so you can pray effectively for their concerns. Pray for their businesses to thrive, their investments to yield amazing returns, and God’s blessing for a bountiful harvest. As they succeed, they will have more capacity to be generous.

Your Success
When Paul collected money for the poor in Jerusalem, he was reluctant to ask the Thessalonians because they were experiencing extreme persecution and poverty (2 Cor. 8:2). They surprised him and insisted that he receive their gifts so they could join him in serving others (2 Cor. 8:1-4). Generosity is not connected to a person’s net worth, but their heart. Cheerful givers want to make an eternal difference with their gifts (2 Cor. 9:7).

Think About This: Henry Blackaby wrote in Experiencing God, “Find out where God is at work and join him there.” When your donors see God working in your ministry, they will want to join you. Invite them to give, even if they are going through tough times.

Response: Lord, please teach me how to use more “you” language in our materials. May our donors experience the joy of giving through our ministry.

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 At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die” (Genesis 27:4).

Isaac asked his oldest son Esau to go hunting and prepare his favorite meal so he could bless him. Rebekah overheard Isaac’s intentions and schemed with Jacob to trick Isaac and steal Esau’s blessing. This epic scene teaches five fundraising principles:

Prepare what your donor likes
Isaac had a taste for wild game and loved Esau because he was an outdoorsman extraordinaire (Gen. 25:27). Evidently, in addition to his hunting prowess, he was also a master griller. Do you know your donors’ tastes? What motivates them to give? What would inspire them to give more? If you haven’t listened well, you might present the wrong opportunity. If your donor is a huge sports fan, he or she might not be enthusiastic about a new fine arts building. Learn their favorite meal and keep serving it.

Ask for help
Rebekah loved Jacob and helped him prepare the meal. Jacob spent time in the tents and probably was a decent cook, but no one cooks like mom. The best donor research is asking a family member or close friend what your donor likes and how much might they give. Not every relative will reveal this information because they would rather enjoy the inheritance themselves. Those with a giving heart can help you craft the perfect ask to accomplish the donor’s giving priorities.

Always be truthful
Isaac’s eyesight was failing but he still had his sense of smell, touch, and hearing. So, Rebekah had to make Jacob feel and smell like Esau. She dressed him in Esau’s clothes and put goatskins on his hands and neck. Deception has no place in your fundraising plan. Present your ministry with integrity. If you don’t have the capacity or desire to fulfill your donor’s intentions for their gift, try to convince your donor to align their gift with your plan, or graciously turn it down.

Realize others are also cooking
Esau took his time finding, dressing, and grilling his wild game, not realizing that he was racing against Rebekah and Jacob. Your nonprofit is competing with multitudes of other great projects vying for your donor’s attention. When you have a need that matches your donor’s interest, gather all the information you think they need and go ask. Don’t delay. If you don’t ask, another ministry will.

Don’t miss out
When Esau finally presented his meal, he and Isaac realized what had happened. Esau was distraught and begged his father for a blessing but there was nothing left. “Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done” (Heb. 12:17). Esau’s rejection is a stark reminder of how important it is to proactively identify, cultivate, and solicit your donors while you still have an opportunity.

Think About This: Important conversations often happen during meals. Restaurants aren’t the best place to ask because there are so many distractions. Instead, ask at your donor’s kitchen table.

Response: Father, please give me insight to present the right project to the right person.

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 At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg” (Luke 16:3).

The shrewd manager in Jesus’s parable had mismanaged his master’s resources and was about ready to lose his job. He devised a cunning plan to offer discounts to his master’s creditors so they would owe him a favor when he was unemployed. His excuse for his scheme was simple—he wasn’t strong enough to dig ditches and he was ashamed to beg. Many nonprofit leaders can rattle off their reasons for not fundraising, “I’m too busy with other responsibilities,” “It’s not my job,” or “I’m not gifted with a fundraising personality.” Perhaps the real reason is, “I feel like fundraising is begging and I’m ashamed to beg.” Fundraising isn’t begging; it’s a higher calling. Jesus taught, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9).

Worldly Wealth
John Wesley’s simple money lesson was “Make all you can, save all you can, and give all you can.” As a fundraiser you can influence believers to make good stewardship decisions. Your donors are in various stages of their Christian walk. Some understand their responsibility to wisely manage God’s resources. Unfortunately, others struggle with “the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things” (Mark 4:19). Having money is not a sin, using it selfishly is.

Gain Friends
What does it mean to “use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourself” (Luke 16:9)? Whom are these friends? Jesus explained in Matthew 25:35-36, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” You must introduce the least of these brothers and sisters to your donors.

Eternal Dwellings
What joy to hear the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matt. 25:21). Imagine all the people in heaven who will thank your donors because of their generosity—those who were given something to eat and drink, had shelter and clothes, were cared for when they were sick, and were encouraged when they were in prison. You can help your donors experience this future blessing by asking them to participate in your mission now.

Love Money
“You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13). God knows every heart; what he values and what we value can be two different things (Luke 16:15). Asking for a gift prompts your ministry partners to assess their priorities. Are they serving God or money? If they don’t give, it might be because it’s not the right project, the right amount, the right timing, or perhaps the Spirit is directing their gift to another ministry.

Think About This: Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel (Rom. 1:16). We should not be ashamed to ask our ministry partners to help advance the Gospel through their generous gifts.

Response: Father, help me challenge our donors to value what you value.

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 At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” (2 Samuel 23:15).

The Philistines were a constant thorn in David’s side. To add insult to injury, they set up shop in his hometown, Bethlehem (1 Sam. 16:1). David dreamed of a different future and commented how wonderful it would be to again enjoy a cool drink from the well by the city gate. He didn’t have to say it twice. His three mighty men heard his desire and executed a flawless extraction mission to retrieve a skin of water from behind enemy lines. When they presented the water to David, he realized the risk they took to fulfill his dream and poured it out to the Lord as a drink offering. How can you cast a compelling vision to inspire your ministry partners to action? Consider these four principles.

Leadership
Simon Sinek, in his book Start with Why, shares the story of two stonecutters. One hates his job and complains about lifting stones every day in the hot sun. Another replies, “I love my job! Sure, its backbreaking work but I’m building a cathedral!” Why do these two men with the exact same job have opposite perspectives? One caught the vision, one didn’t. David inspired his followers to a higher cause. Are you inspiring your donors to accomplish something that will last beyond their lifetimes?

Relationship
David didn’t release a statement to the press; this was quiet conversation with his close friends. Have you ever had a “dream” conversation with your close major donors to let them know what God is laying on your heart? Don’t take your ideas to your major donors wrapped up nicely in a bow. Invite your key friends into the conversation while you’re still formulating your ideas. Let them imagine the future with you.

Stewardship
David had proven himself on the battlefield and earned the respect of his followers. Trust is a critical component of leadership and followership. People must believe that you will do what you say you will do. Leadership is influencing others. As Spider-Man learned, “With great power comes great responsibility.” As a leader you have great influence over your donors’ giving priorities. Make sure your vision is worthy of their sacrificial giving.

Worship
These men risked their lives to bless David with a remarkable gift. The only thing David could do was to reflect the glory back to God. This is exactly how we should respond when people give sacrificially. “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else” (2 Cor. 9:13).

Think About This: John Quincy Adams, said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” Inspire your donors to dream more, learn more about God’s vision for your ministry, give more, and become a vital part of your future. 

Response: Lord, please help me understand your vision for what you want us to accomplish. Help me share it effectively with my ministry partners.

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 At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt” (Exodus 1:8).

Joseph saved Egypt by saving grain during the seven good years of plenty and wisely managing the food supply during the seven years of famine. Many lives were spared because of his good stewardship (see Gen. 50:20). Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. Joseph and his generation died. Pharoah died and a new Pharoah came to power. He saw the children of Israel as a growing threat and forced them into slavery.

Donor support doesn’t automatically pass from one generation to the next. Psalm 37:26 reminds us that the righteous, “are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.” Major donors often raise generous children, but if your ministry means nothing to those children, they will be a blessing to another charity. How can you keep the children of your major donors engaged after their parents or grandparents have passed to Glory? Consider these four strategies.

Include Them
If you’re not a school or university, you might not know the sons and daughters of your key donors. Major donors have many giving interests. Some do a great job of teaching their children to be generous and include them in their giving decisions, but many children and grandchildren are disconnected from your ministry. Encourage your donors to invite them to events. When they attend, introduce yourself and get to know them.

Interest Them
Everyone has personal giving motivations. The fact that their parents or grandparents supported your ministry is a plus, but retaining the next generation requires you to discover their individual giving interests. Perhaps your major donor loves sports, but the kids are interested in music. Discover what moves your younger donors and align your asks with their hearts. They might give a token gift for old times’ sake but could give an amazing gift to fund their passions.

Involve Them
Today’s donors are different than donors of the past. This generation doesn’t just want to give money, they want to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty with their time, talent, and treasure. They want to see results and are not necessarily loyal to institutions. Take advantage of this attitude and find ways to connect these donors with your ministry. Involved donors are generous donors.

Inspire Them
If you’re going to cultivate and keep the next generation of major donors, you must capture their hearts and minds. You must reinvent yourself with a “This is not your grandparent’s charity” attitude. Honor the past but take new ground for Christ. New problems need creative new solutions. In what innovative ways are you solving today’s problems?

Think About This: One Christian university developed an endowment strategy to attract younger donors. They ask major donors to establish an endowed scholarship in their children’s name. The minimum for this endowed scholarship is $25,000 and can be funded over five years. Donors provide the initial monies for this endowment with the goal of encouraging their son or daughter to continue giving to the scholarship. Essentially, they are helping their children create their own legacies.

Response: Father, please give us creative ideas to challenge the next generation of major donors to partner with us.

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 At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land” (Exodus 23:29-30).

Fundraisers live to make things happen right now. A fundraiser’s most thrilling moment is identifying, cultivating, and asking a major donor for a leadership gift to fund an incredible project. Praise God for people he has blessed with significant resources who can give game-changing gifts. As exciting as these moments are, we should be just as thankful for steady progress toward our fundraising goals. As Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses reminded them success wouldn’t happen overnight. Four truths emerge from this text.

God’s Sovereignty
God had reasons for not conquering the land right away. He is compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love and wanted to give the people living in the land more time to repent (Gen. 15:16). Israel always got into trouble when they were impatient. “But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold” (Psalm 106:13). God has a perfect plan for your donors. He can change hearts and make them “favorably disposed” to generosity (Ex. 12:36). Don’t rush ahead of the Spirit.

God’s Reasons
The Lord didn’t allow Israel to take immediate possession of the land because they weren’t equipped to manage the resources. Why doesn’t God dump millions of dollars in your lap? Would you even know what to do with a $100 million gift? You’re thinking, “Probably not, but I’d like to try.” Not every organization has the leadership, strategic plan, and ability to wisely manage large gifts. Major donors give to trustworthy ministries who have a track record of good stewardship.

God’s Methods
Joshua didn’t conquer the land in his own ability. He was only successful when he followed the Lord’s instructions—think Jericho. When he ignored the plan, he failed—think Ai. God used Israel but he also used his angel (Ex. 23:23), his terror to throw enemy nations into confusion (Ex. 23:27), and even hornets (Ex. 23:28). We take credit for our fundraising efforts, but God uses many tools to accomplish his purposes. Without God’s blessing, we will accomplish nothing of eternal value.

Our Capacity
How can you prepare to manage a multi-million dollar gift? By faithfully caring for the donors God has given you right now. Jesus taught, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:10-11). If you don’t care for your current donors, why would God give you more?

Think About This: God didn’t drive out Israel’s enemies in a single year, but he did promise to drive them out (Ex. 23:30). Major gifts aren’t instantaneous, but only happen after your donors believe you will make an eternal difference with their gift.

Response: Lord, help me take the next little steps to love my donors and wait for your plans to unfold.

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 At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.