“She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Mark 14:8-9).

The most remembered gift ever given lasted for only a moment. Six days before Passover, Simon the Leper invited Jesus to his home for supper. The guest list included the disciples, his recently resurrected friend Lazarus, along with Martha and Mary. As they reclined around the table, Mary approached Jesus with a bottle of expensive perfume, broke it, and poured it on his head and feet. Her act of worship is a beautiful lesson in generosity. Donors give estate and endowed gifts because they want their legacy to last for generations. We still remember Mary’s extravagant gift and everyone’s reactions to her generosity.

The Disciples Questioned
Sacrificial giving sparks opinions and everyone has one. All the disciples criticized Mary, not just Judas (see Matt. 26:8). They felt her extravagance could have been used in better ways like giving to the poor. Giving is spiritual warfare. Satan hates generosity and will throw flaming arrows (even comments from friends) to discourage donors from giving. Pray for your ministry partners as they consider significant gifts, because others will try to talk them out of it.

Judas Coveted
Judas voiced his opposition, but he didn’t care about the poor. He was looking out for himself as he held the bag and had embezzled many times (see John 12:6). Sadly, some adult children don’t want their parents or grandparents to be generous because more money for ministry means less for them. Encourage your ministry partners as they navigate difficult family dynamics. Be wise when you sense opposition from family members and encourage your donors to include their own attorney in any gift decisions.

Jesus Defended
Jesus rebuked his disciples for criticizing Mary’s extravagant gift. “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me” (Mark 14:6). Some donors give because you offer to name something in their honor. Mary wasn’t looking for praise, she gave lavishly because she realized how much God had lavished on her (1 John 3:1). Inspire your donors to give beautiful gifts that will last beyond their lifetimes.

Simon Worshipped
Simon the Leper hosted Jesus in his home. That’s unusual because lepers lost all their possessions and were forced to live outside the city. Jesus healed Simon and restored every aspect of his life. One of the side effects of leprosy is the loss of smell. When Mary broke her perfume flask, the house was filled with its fragrance (John 12:3). Simon could smell and enjoy her generous gift. Help your donors realize all the lives they touch through their generosity.

Think About This: “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial” (John 12:7). Mary saved this special gift for this special occasion. Donors are saving to give a special gift. Why will they give it to you?

Response: Father, help me communicate our ministry story in such a compelling way that our ministry partners will be motivated to give an extravagant gift.

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 two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. 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.

“Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said” (Joshua 14:12 NKJV).

Moses sent twelve spies into the Promised Land to see if it really was flowing with milk and honey (see Num. 13). They brought back amazing stories and a single cluster of grapes so enormous two of them had to carry it on a pole between them. Despite the abundance, ten spies focused on the giants, and saw themselves as grasshoppers in comparison. Joshua and Caleb saw things differently. Caleb proclaimed, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Num. 13:30). Unfortunately, their enthusiasm couldn’t overcome the bad report the other ten spread throughout the camp. As a result, the Israelites refused to move forward by faith, and God forced them to wander in the wilderness for forty years.

Fast forward forty-five years. Joshua has conquered the land and is dividing the spoils among the tribes, when Caleb comes forward to collect the inheritance Moses had promised. Caleb’s faith encourages us to take on fundraising challenges that others deem impossible.

Different Attitude
Caleb was an exceptional leader because he had a different attitude (see Num. 14:24). Everyone else was worried about the BUGs (Big Unfriendly Giants) in their fortified cities and talked themselves out of victory before they even started. Caleb didn’t deny the challenges, he just saw them as opportunities. Successful fundraising requires a positive outlook. Donors aren’t eagerly waiting for you to ask them for money. Don’t talk yourself out of asking by thinking, “this major donor will never give to our project.” If you don’t ask, you’ll never know how they will respond.

Wholehearted
Steve Jobs made this observation, “You have to be burning with an idea, or a problem, or a wrong that you want to right. If you’re not passionate enough from the start, you’ll never stick it out.” Caleb “followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly” (Josh. 14:14). He stayed passionate about claiming his inheritance. As a fundraiser, do you believe in your ministry? If you are not passionate, why will your donor be? Is fundraising a calling, or merely a job? Fundraising is no place for the halfhearted.

Divine-Human
You won’t be successful through your own efforts. Fundraising is a divine-human effort. The Lord must turn hearts toward your ministry, but you must ask for the gift. “The Lord caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for” (Ex. 12:36 NLT). Caleb trusted in the Lord, rolled up his sleeves, and started fighting giants, “the Lord helping me, I will drive them out” (Josh. 14:12).

Think About This: If you have a fundraising dream but others don’t, pray that God will lead new people to your ministry who will catch your vision.

Response: Father, please give me the fundraising mountains you’ve promised. Give me strength and perseverance to keep asking. Give me faith like Caleb.

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 two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. 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 how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains” (James 5:7).

Fundraisers can learn valuable lessons from farmers. Both occupations require hard work to prepare the ground, sow seed, and wait patiently for the harvest. Consider these applications:

Patience
Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” Sowing and reaping take time. Fundraisers have urgency because of the great ministry needs or budget pressures, but a wise fundraiser is patient and realizes that it takes time for donors to consider your gift request. Fundraising is a marriage between your ministry partner and your mission. Most people don’t propose to their future spouse on the first date. Likewise, you shouldn’t ask for a six or seven figure gift on your first visit. Slow down and build a strong relationship. Be faithful to sow the seeds of how your ministry is making an eternal difference.

Hard Work
Paul encouraged Timothy to learn ministry work ethic from the “the hardworking farmer” (2 Tim. 2:6). Farmers work from sunrise to sunset in all kinds of weather. Lazy farmers don’t last long. Solomon observed, “A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring has nothing to harvest in the fall” (Prov. 20:4 MSG). Farming is not a 9 to 5 job, neither is fundraising. It takes discipline to keep calling donors who don’t return your calls. It’s much easier to make excuses than to invest in the hard work of identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors. All too often, we give up too soon. Keep sowing the seed if you hope to reap a harvest.

First to Receive
Paul continues his lesson to Timothy, “The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops” (2 Tim. 2:6). The farmer works for the benefit of everyone else and he should reap some of the benefits first. If he is not strong and healthy from the food he produces, he will be unable to share future harvests with others. This has an interesting application to fundraising. Your ministry should make the development department a budget priority, not an afterthought. If you don’t provide your fundraising team with the tools and resources to be successful, your entire ministry will suffer.

Faith
Farmers plant and trust God for the results. You are not just trusting God for the right moment to ask your prospective donor; you are also trusting him for the autumn and spring rains to soften hearts. When you wait on the Lord for his harvest, he promises abundance. “The time will come,” says the Lord, “when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested” (Amos 9:13 NLT). Pray that the Lord will bless you with more gifts that you can handle!

Think About This: “For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations” (Isa. 61:11). As fundraisers we must work hard, but ultimately it is the Lord who produces the harvest.

Response: Lord, help me sow faithfully and wait patiently for your harvest.

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 two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. 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.

“When a farmer plows for planting, does he plow continually? Does he keep on breaking up and working the soil?” (Isaiah 28:24)

Fundraising and farming share many similarities. Farmers must sow seed on fertile ground, provide the plants with plenty of sunshine and water, remove life-sapping weeds, and patiently wait for the harvest. Isaiah portrays God as a heavenly farmer who plants and brings forth an eternal harvest by his great wisdom. His parable applies to fundraising in three ways.

Know when to stop cultivating
When farmers prepare the ground, they are careful not overwork the soil. Modern farming techniques such as low-till or no-till keep soil disturbance to a minimum. At some point, a wise farmer stops plowing the ground and sows the seed. Yet, some fundraisers are always in cultivation mode. They look for one more conversation, one more visit, one more event before they are ready to ask. It sounds spiritual to keep preparing the ground because you think the donor needs more time, but if you don’t plant seed, you won’t reap a harvest. If you don’t ask, you won’t receive.

Choose the best plants for the soil
A wise farmer knows which plants thrive in which soil type. Are you planting caraway, cumin, wheat, barley, or spelt? (see Isaiah 28:25). Caraway prefers cool weather, cumin requires full sun, and fertile, well-drained soil. Wheat likes lots of sunshine and warm weather. Barley can tolerate somewhat alkaline soils. Spelt can be grown on poorly drained, low fertility soils. Your donors also have individual interests. Perhaps they are motivated to help the homeless, scholarship an underprivileged child, or give to enhance your technology. Some donors like bricks and mortar projects, some don’t. Ask the right donor the right gift amount for the right project.

Use the appropriate tools
“Caraway is not threshed with a sledge nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin; caraway is beaten out with a rod and cumin with a stick” (Isa. 28:27). Caraway and cumin produce delicate seeds that are used as spices. The farmer would crush the seeds if he used a sledge or rolled over them with his cart. Instead, he chooses the right tools to protect the grain for the greatest yield. Cash gifts are not always the best way for your donor to give. Perhaps it would be better for them to transfer an appreciated stock, give real estate, make an in-kind gift of goods or services, or donate tangible property like rare books, works of art, or valuable collectibles. Use the right tools to help your ministry partner maximize their gift.

Think About This: Farming requires great knowledge, so does fundraising. How does the farmer know when to plant and when to harvest? Isaiah 28:26 says, “His God instructs him and teaches him the right way.” How do you know when to stop cultivating and ask for a gift? The Spirit will lead you to say the right words at the right time.

Response: Father, give me wisdom and skill to sow seed and reap a bountiful harvest. I’m grateful for your provision for our ministry because, “All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent” (Isa. 28:29).

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 two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. 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.

“You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results” (1 Thess. 2:1).

Paul spent three weeks in Thessalonica proving why Jesus had to suffer and rise from the dead. Some Jews believed, along with some God-fearing Greeks, and several prominent women. The Jewish leaders were jealous of Paul’s success and recruited some bad dudes from the marketplace to start a riot which forced Paul and Silas to escape during the night (see Acts 17:1-9). Paul was only in town for a brief time, but he developed some deep friendships and successfully planted a church.

Cultivating friendships is a vital step in fundraising, yet it doesn’t have to take years and years or even months to establish meaningful relationships with major donors. Let’s apply five fundraising principles from Paul’s experience.

Love
Sincere friendships are built on love. Paul expressed, “Because we loved you so much, we are delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well” (1 Thess. 2:8). Paul didn’t just talk about love, he lived it. You can feel it when you’re the presence of a ministry leader who really loves you. Be that person. You can also tell if someone is insincere.

Genuineness
The believers in Thessalonica knew Paul was the real deal. His motives were pure, he never tricked them, never used flattery, never put on a mask to cover up greed, or sought praise from anyone (1 Thess. 2:3-4). Unfortunately, Christian ministries are full of posers. Be transparent in your finances, relationships, board decisions, and plans.

Hard Work
Paul had a reputation for diligence. “Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone” (1 Thess. 2:9). Your donors have worked hard for what they have, and they appreciate ministry leaders who also work hard. Ministry partners notice if you have a reputation of sticking with the job until it’s done or taking extended sabbaticals.

Prayer
Imagine how encouraged you would be if Paul wrote this note to you, “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 Thess. 1:11). Do you pray for the success of your donors’ business endeavors? Have you encouraged them recently?

Answers
In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Paul answered some deep eschatological questions about the antichrist. How amazing that Paul’s discipleship curriculum included a section on prophecy. “Don’t you remember that when I was with you, I used to tell you these things?” (2 Thess. 2:5). This should encourage you to have deep conversations about your ministry’s mission and vision. Don’t shy away from difficult topics. Iron sharpens iron and your key donors look to you for answers to tough questions.

Think About This: Everyone wants their major donor relationships to move fast, but few are willing to invest in the hard work of building trust. Be intentional about every major donor move.

Response: Father, thank you for our faithful donors–old and new. Give me wisdom to identify, cultivate, and solicit new 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 two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. 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.

“When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves—praise the Lord!” (Judges 5:1).

God appointed Deborah as a Judge to lead the Children of Israel through a desperate time. She wrote a song describing six types of people she recruited to join her army. Your board members and volunteers fall into these six categories. Here are the final three:

Followers Who Stand Strong (Judges 5:18)
Thankfully, Deborah had a few tribes who not only showed up for work but excelled. “The people of Zebulun risked their very lives; so did Naphtali on the terraced fields” (Judges 5:18). It’s rare to find followers who will risk their lives for your organization. Paul wrote a stellar recommendation to the church in Philippi about Epaphroditus, “welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me” (Phil. 2:29-30). Every organization needs people who are willing to risk life and limb to advance its cause.

Followers Who Are No Shows (Judges 5:23)
It would be wonderful if everyone in your army was a Zebulun or Naphtali, but unfortunately that’s not the case. In Deborah’s victory song, she wrote a scathing rebuke against some volunteers who didn’t even show up. “Curse Meroz,’ said the angel of the Lord. ‘Curse its people bitterly, because they did not come to help the Lord, to help the Lord against the mighty’” (Judges 5:23). You’ve probably cursed a few people under your breath who said they were coming but didn’t. This is the only time Meroz is mentioned in the Bible and the only thing we know about them is they didn’t help — not the way you want to be remembered for eternity. Solomon warns about putting your confidence in someone who cannot be trusted, “Depending on an unreliable person in a crisis is like trying to chew with a loose tooth or walk with a crippled foot” (Prov. 25:19, GNT).

Followers Who Drive a Stake in The Ground (Judges 5:24-27)
Deborah won the battle through the efforts of an unlikely hero. Jael wasn’t a skilled archer or a mighty warrior, she was just a willing volunteer who used what she had to make a difference. The King of Sisera fled the battlefield and came to Jael’s tent looking for a place to hide and rest. Jael welcomed him in, gave him some warm milk to help him sleep, and proceeded to drive a tent stake through his skull into the ground. What a powerful scene! Unlike Deborah and Jael, our enemies aren’t people but philosophies that oppose the truth (2 Cor. 10:3-4). You need a few core people surrounding you with their shields of faith to protect you from “the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Eph. 6:16).

Think About This: Years from now what people sing about your organization will be based upon the quality of team members you recruit today. Recruit courageous volunteers who will face issues head on.

Response: Father, bring us faithful partners who will stand with us. Give us courage to speak the truth in love in every situation.

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 two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. 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.

“When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves—praise the Lord!” (Judges 5:1).

A humorous Chinese proverb says, “He who thinks he leads, but has no one following him is only taking a walk.” Leading and following sound like simple concepts, but they are incredibly complex. It’s beautiful when it works, but all too often leaders and followers don’t work well together. God appointed Deborah as a Judge to lead the Children of Israel through a desperate time. She wrote a song describing six types of people she recruited to join her army. Your board members and volunteers fall into these six categories. Here are the first three:

Followers Who Show Up (Judges 5:14-15)
Deborah praised five tribes who joined her and General Barak as they marched against the King of Sisera. Faithfulness is a prime quality for each volunteer – groundskeepers who mow the lawn, board members who set the strategic vision, and donors who give sacrificially. Showing up is 80 percent of volunteering. How can someone serve effectively if they only attend half the time? “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2). Do you honor the faithful volunteers who serve the Lord in your organization? A little appreciation will go a long way in motivating your team to keep fighting the good fight.

Followers Who Second-Guess (Judges 5:15-16)
Deborah chided the tribe of Reuben for “much searching of heart.” They must have labored over their decision to help Deborah because she mentions it twice. Indecision was their decision. Salespeople encounter buyers who question everything to find reasons for delaying their decision. No doubt, those who serve this type of customer want to scream, “Make a decision already!” Volunteer recruitment is similar. Asking questions about the job is healthy. You want volunteers to know and agree with your expectations. However, some people get stuck in “analysis paralysis” and never decide. Like Reuben, there is “much searching of heart.” When you encounter this person, it’s best just to move on to your next candidate.

Followers Who Go Sailing (Judges 5:17)
The tribes of Gilead, Dan, and Ashur were distracted with life. Deborah questioned, “Why did Dan linger by the ships and why did Asher remain on the coast?” Don’t get the image that these tribes were sailing along the French Riviera, rather they were focused on work. In the parable of the four types of soil, Jesus taught about the seed that fell among the thorns, “the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful” (Matt. 13:22). There are many cares of this world that distract volunteers from focusing on your ministry: kids, school, work, church, marriage, bills, health, in-laws, outlaws – the list goes on and on. Perhaps the biggest thorn is the deceitfulness of wealth. Some are too busy growing their business to devote any time to serve the Lord with you.

Think About This: Deborah couldn’t win the battle by herself. Neither can you. Ask God for discernment to recruit volunteer leaders who will follow.

Response: Father, please give us faithful ministry partners as we “strive together for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27).

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 two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. 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 am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5).

There was no one like Timothy. He had a son-father relationship with Paul (see Phil. 2:22), accompanied him on missionary journeys, and became the pastor of the church in Ephesus. Long before he met Paul, Timothy’s faith journey began through the godly influence of his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois. They lived their faith out loud, and Timothy followed their examples.

Parents and grandparents are key partners in Christian education. Many Christian schools host Grandparents’ Day to honor them. It provides a great opportunity to see their grandchildren in class and love on them. Grandparents can get involved in five important ways.

Pray
Grandparents are prayer warriors. They already pray for God’s blessing on their grandchildren, and they will faithfully pray for your prayer requests. Give them specific needs and let them know how God answered their prayers. If you are considering a building campaign, encourage them to ask God for wisdom and the resources to accomplish your goal.

Encourage
One school organizes an encourager’s campaign. They send blank note cards to their grandparents asking them to write an encouraging note to their grandchildren which will be delivered during finals week. The notes encourage both grandchildren and grandparents. The school asks for a donation but emphasizes a gift is not required. Ninety-five percent of the cards are returned with a gift.

Serve
Grandparents can serve as faithful volunteers. They can read to elementary classes, help with science projects, chaperon field trips, or assist with music or athletics. Take note of special interests and find creative ways to get people involved. When grandparents see first-hand the impact you are making and the needs you have, they are more likely to give generously.

Give
Grandparents typically have more resources than their children who are still trying to build their wealth. Help them understand the many ways their gifts could impact the next generation. Build donor loyalty by asking them to give to your annual operating fund or to other current needs, then ask them to participate in a significant way in your capital projects.

Remember
Legacy gifts can make a substantial impact by providing seed money for a capital campaign or funding an endowment. Have you ever specifically asked a grandparent to remember your school in their will? It’s one thing to ask in a group setting or mention estate planning in your marketing materials, but it is much more effective to meet your grandparents face to face and boldly ask.

Think About This: Colleges seem to be at a disadvantage with grandparent strategies. Some host a Grandparent’s Day but most don’t know many grandparents by name. Ask your students for their grandparents’ contact information by referencing 2 Timothy 1:5 as your reason. Frame it like this, “The faithful prayers of your grandparents are the reason you are a student at our college/university, we want to thank them for their godly influence in your life by sending a gift, please share their names and addresses.”

Response: Father, please give us creative ideas to involve our grandparents as true 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 two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. 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.

“For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand” (2 Corinthians 1:13).

Humorist Will Rogers once said, “The minute you read something that you can’t understand, you can almost be sure that it was drawn up by a lawyer.” Unfortunately, some fundraisers send confusing messages to their donors. A ministry embroiled in several controversies sent a letter to their key constituents reassuring them that everything would be alright. A savvy major donor noted that their letter, “said something without saying anything.” Peter noted that Paul’s “letters contain some things that are hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:16). Here are five thoughts to improve your communication skills.

Clear
Good communication is more than proper punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure. Ask yourself what you’re trying to say. If your thinking is fuzzy your writing will be incoherent. Clear thinking produces clear writing. When you are writing your case for support, an appeal letter, a newsletter, or a marketing piece, carefully choose words that most accurately express your meaning. Write in active voice, not passive. Replace vague words with specific words that precisely and shortly convey your meaning.

Concise
Thomas Jefferson famously said, “The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” Eliminate unnecessary phrases like, “in order to,” “in the event that,” “in the process of”, or “needless to say.” Cut filler words that add no meaning or value to a sentence. Rewrite paragraphs to remove repetitive phrases. Get rid every of rogue “that” that sneaks into your copy.

Compelling
Tell your mission story with passion. How does your ministry meet critical needs? The best way to illustrate your impact is to tell a story. Congregants tend to nod off during a deep theological dissertation, but when the preacher illustrates the point with a real-life story, the crowd perks up. Compelling copy uses emotion to pull the reader into the story, offers the solution, creates urgency, and finishes with a strong call to action.

Christ-focused
Help your reader understand the eternal value of your work. Why is your ministry different from secular organizations who also teach children, give hope to the homeless, train the next generation, or provide disaster relief? The good news of the Gospel should separate your story from others who only do good deeds. Share your ministry stories of changed lives.

Check
You can write the best copy of your career, but if you let a misspelled word or incorrect grammar slip past, your message suffers. Let your draft sit for a while before you edit. Read your content out loud and change anything that doesn’t make sense or causes you to stumble over. The best editing strategy is to use your red ink pen to cut and simplify.

Think About This: John 16 records a difficult conversation between Jesus and his disciples. He was explaining his death and resurrection, but they weren’t grasping the concept. Finally, in John 16:29 they got it, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.” You may have a complicated message to share. Be patient and keep explaining it until your audience understands.

Response: Father, give me the ability to clearly communicate our story so many people will 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 two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. 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.

“A gift opens the way to the giver and ushers the giver into the presence of the great” (Proverbs 18:16).

Lockpicking Lawyer is a fascinating YouTube content creator who opens “unpickable” locks. One viewer sent him a lock that his local locksmith had opened with an angle grinder. This sparked a heated debate as the viewer claimed the Lockpicking Lawyer could have picked it and the locksmith argued that his videos were bogus. So, they sent the lock with a challenge that if Lockpicking Lawyer could pick it faster than an angle grinder could cut it, the locksmith would refund $75 to the viewer. Challenge accepted. It took two minutes and fourteen seconds to cut the lock. Lockpicking Lawyer picked it in 28 seconds.

One frustrating reality for every fundraiser is the inability to open a major donor door. Every attempt to reach a prospect feels more difficult than breaking into Fort Knox. Solomon reveals that the key to connecting with any major donor prospect is to offer a gift.

A Personal Gift

Who doesn’t like to receive a gift? When choosing a gift, don’t default to SWAG (Stuff We All Get) that you hand out at a conference. Get more creative than pens emblazoned with your logo. Consider your prospect’s interests. What unique gift would your potential donor appreciate that reminds them of your ministry whenever they see it? Perhaps you could share something special from one of your noteworthy alumni.

An Opportunity Gift

Notice if your prospective donor has any special interest or expertise and invite them to share it. Perhaps your business prospect could give a workshop, teach a class, or be a guest speaker. One prospective donor has an interest in revolutionary war history and makes presentations dressed as George Washington. A savvy head of school has invited him several times to speak to the upper elementary classes. For this prospect, it is a gift to be invited to share his passion.

An Honor Gift

Pay attention and acknowledge news about your prospective donor. It could be as simple as sending a note of congratulations about their business success, job promotion, or personal accomplishment like a hole-in-one or being featured in the media. One college invites their prospective donors to a banquet in their honor and presents them with an award acknowledging their contributions to the community.

The Gift of Prayer

One simple way to make a meaningful connection is to offer to pray for your prospective donors. You may never have met that person but offering to pray may open a door for a future conversation. Perhaps they or a family member have experienced a personal tragedy and your offer to pray brings comfort and encouragement. Perhaps they’ve experienced great success and your prayers will remind them to give glory to God. The key is connecting with them spiritually.

Think About This: The greatest gift you could ever give your prospective donor is the gift of the good news. Perhaps you could share a book, music, or video from your ministry that includes a gospel presentation.

Response: Father, please give me wisdom to choose the best gift that will open major donor doors. Thank you for sharing the greatest gift, your Son, Jesus Christ.

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 two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. 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.