Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it” (Acts 8:26-29).

Philip had an amazing assignment from the Lord to travel from Jerusalem to Gaza for a divine appointment with an Ethiopian eunuch who had been worshipping at Passover. This wasn’t an ordinary traveler; he was the treasurer for the queen of the Ethiopians. The Spirit prompted Philip to ask him if he understood the passage he was reading from Isaiah and the eunuch invited him to ride along in his chariot. Philip shared how the Messianic prophecies pointed to Jesus’ life, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection. He was explaining baptism when they came to a body of water, the Ethiopian asked to be baptized as a testimony of this faith in Christ. Fundraising is like evangelism—the Spirit must lead us to the right person, guide our conversations, and prompt that person to respond.

Direct Your Path
No doubt your fundraising to-do list is chocked full of important letters to write, brochures to design, social media posts to create, events to plan, and meetings to attend. Have you left room in your calendar for the Spirit to guide you to major donors? Philip was going about his day when an angel moved him to start walking. Dan, a major gift representative, starts his day by praying for the Lord to direct his path.

Lead You to the Right Donor
The Lord led Philip to the eunuch, and he can lead to you the donor who can partner with you. As Dan left his home, he was prompted to visit Barb, even though it was an hour and a half out of his way. She met him at the door, and he was surprised to learn that her husband had passed away two days earlier. Because he listened to the Spirit’s prompting, Dan was able to comfort, share Scripture, and pray with Barb.

Help Your Donor Rejoice
God used Philip to encourage the Ethiopian eunuch to place his faith in Christ and obey the Lord in baptism. The eunuch was so excited that he went “on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39). Dan and Barb became close friends. Barb gave joyfully to many ministries and blessed Dan’s ministry with several generous gifts. It’s amazing to think that their relationship started because of a Spirit-led detour.

What divine donor appointment does God have for you?

Response: Father, help me listen to your voice. Lead me to people I can encourage even if it takes me out of my way.

Think About This: If Philip would have had more time to disciple the Ethiopian eunuch, he would have taught this earthly treasurer the importance of laying up treasures in heaven (see Matthew 6:19-20).  Are you teaching the joy of generosity?

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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.

Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?  Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (Exodus 4:10-12). God called Moses to rescue his people from Egypt. Moses had lots of questions, “Who am I that I should go?” (Exodus 3:11). “What will I tell the Israelites?” (Exodus 3:13-17). “What if they don’t believe me?” (Exodus 4:1). God answered each concern and gave Moses three miraculous signs to prove he was on God’s mission. Finally, Moses pulled out his last wimpy excuse and claimed that he could not speak. God was not amused and retorted, “Now go; I will help you speak and teach you what to say” (Exodus 3:12). If God has called you to leadership, like it or not, he also called you to be the number one fundraiser for your ministry. You can make lots of excuses explaining why you don’t have right personality, skill set, or enough time. But the fact remains—major donors want to talk with the boss and the donor buck stops with you. Learn three fundraising truths from Moses. “Now go” You can accomplish many fundraising tasks sitting behind your computer screen, but to engage major donors you must go see them face-to-face. Video conferencing is a wonderful fundraising tool that gives you opportunities to invite donors on virtual tours of your ministry or introduce them to team members on the other side of the world. As cool as technology is, it’s no substitute for a warm handshake, enjoying a meal together, and sharing a heart-to-heart conversation.  “I will help you speak” Talking with major donors can be intimidating. These people make important business decisions every day, ask tough questions, and have high expectations. Moses was intimidated by Pharoah, “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?” (Exodus 6:30). Don’t be unnerved, God can give you courage to approach them. “I will teach you what to say” The Lord gave Moses exactly what to say and how to say it. Actually, Pharaoh was the one who was afraid, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh” (Exodus 7:1). A campus evangelist who works with grad students once observed, “These students are brilliant in their fields of study, but they are babes when it comes to Scripture. I used to be intimidated to share Christ, but now I’m confident.” God can teach you what to say to major donors. Response: Father, please forgive me for my reluctance to talk with major donors. Give me courage to go, share what you are accomplishing in our ministry, and ask for their financial support. Think About This: Interestingly, Stephen preached that “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action” (Acts 7:22). Moses claimed that he wasn’t eloquent, but that wasn’t true. Perhaps your excuses for not fundraising are also not true.

“This Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him” (Ezra 7:6). “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). Ezra wasn’t trained as a fundraiser. He had devoted himself to studying, keeping, and teaching God’s word. Teaching was his first love, and he was good at it, but the Lord assigned him another job. God led the Israelites back from Babylon in three waves: (1) Zerubbabel traveled to Jerusalem in 528 BC to rebuild the temple, (2) Ezra returned 80 years later to rebuild the people by teaching the Law of God, and (3) Nehemiah came 14 years after that to rebuild the wall. Study Ezra had spent his life studying the Scriptures. As a boy, he studied how God had rescued his people from Egypt. On the night of Passover, Moses instructed the people to ask the Egyptians for silver and gold; the Lord made the Egyptians “favorable disposed” to give them everything they asked (see Exodus 12:35-36). Your job as a fundraiser is simply to ask. God is responsible to prompt people to give. Live Ezra didn’t just study the Scriptures, he obeyed them. Ezra’s assignment was to ask King Artaxerxes for silver and gold to buy offerings to sacrifice (Ezra 7:15-17), so he courageously stood before the king, his advisors, and all the king’s powerful officials (Ezra 7:28). Think about how intimidating it would have been to share God’s message with the most powerful man in the world! Perhaps he was encouraged by the Israelite’s story. The result was the same–the king gave him everything he asked. Teach Ezra’s message was so compelling and so effective that King Artaxerxes insisted Ezra immediately return to Jerusalem to teach the Law of God to everyone throughout the Trans-Euphrates. “Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven. Why should his wrath fall on the realm of the king and of his sons?” (Ezra 7:23). Your message must be compelling to motivate your ministry partners to act. Ask Ezra asked the king, his advisors, and officials, and they responded with “650 talents (24 tons) of silver, silver articles weighing 100 talents (3.75 tons), 100 talents of gold (3.75 tons), 20 bowls of gold valued at 1,000 darics (19 lbs.) and two fine articles of polished bronze, as precious as gold” (Ezra 8:26-27). In today’s value, Ezra asked and received approximately $20 million in silver and $214 million in gold! Not bad for a seminary grad! How could God use you as a bivocational fundraiser? Response: Father, forgive me for using the excuse, “fundraising is not my job.” Give me courage to fulfill my role to ask our ministry partners for their generous support. Think About This: Ezra wasn’t a successful fundraiser because of his personality, experience, or even his skill. He succeeded because “the hand of the Lord his God was upon him” (Ezra 7:6). Have a Spirit-led fundraising week! Ron

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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 rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it” (Philippians 4:10).

The Philippian believers faithfully supported Paul from his early days in ministry on his mission to share the gospel with the Gentiles. He appreciated their partnership, “it was good of you to share in my troubles” (Phil. 4:15). In fact, they were the only church who supported him (see Phil. 4:15). More than once they sent him gifts to meet his needs. For some reason, their support lapsed but finally they were able to give again. Paul wrote the Philippians to thank them for renewing their concern for him. How can you re-engage donors who’ve stopped giving?

LYBUNTS and SYBUNTS
LYBUNT (pronounced “lie-bunt”) are donors who gave Last Year But Unfortunately Not This. SYBUNT (pronounced “sigh-bunt”) refers to donors who have given Some Year But Unfortunately Not This. Call your lapsed donors and love on them, “We’ve noticed you haven’t given in a while. If you don’t mind, could you let us know why? Your feedback can help us better serve donors like you in the future.”

No Opportunity
When donors lapse, we immediately assume they’ve lost interest in our ministry. Perhaps that’s true, but in this situation the Philippians wanted to give but had no opportunity. We tend to look at lapsed donor reports without considering why our donors have stopped giving. Perhaps they are struggling with their health, experienced a financial downturn, or simply overlooked your appeal.

Opportunity
How did Paul know the Philippians were concerned, but couldn’t give? He prayed for them regularly, perhaps he heard news from the brothers and sisters traveling to and from Philippi. When your donors don’t hear from you, they forget you. It boils down to a communication problem—out of sight out of mind. Lapsed donors present you with an opportunity to reconnect.

Unsubscribers
You can be notified when someone on your email list unsubscribes. It’s a good indication that a donor may be losing interest. How do you respond? One ministry emails their unsubscribed donors asking if anything is wrong. It seems a little big brotherish, but you may rewin a friend. Here’s how one person responded, “To be honest (I regret to admit this, ha) I was mindlessly just cleaning up some email when your message came through, so I promise it was not an overly intentional unsubscribe on my part.”

Renewing Lapsed donors
When you’ve tried to reach a lapsed donor but haven’t connected, write a handwritten note thanking them for their contributions and the impact they have made. Express your hope that they will join you in the future and how deeply appreciative you are of everything they’ve given.

Response: Father, forgive me for not making the extra effort to reach out to my lapsed donors. Prompt me to show love and concern for their well-being.

Think About This: People stop giving because they feel distant. Paul wrote, “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.” The Philippian believers weren’t giving to a ministry or a cause, they were giving to a person. How can you become a real, live person to your donors?

Have a Spirit-led week!

Ron

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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 I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action” (2 Corinthians 9:2).

The church in Jerusalem was suffering under persecution and famine, so Paul organized a relief effort and asked all the churches in Asia to share with their brothers and sisters. The believers in Corinth were quick to give and promised more. Paul told of the Corinthians’ generosity everywhere he went. The Macedonian churches were so motivated by the Corinthians’ gift that they surprised Paul with a generous gift of their own.

Major donors want to partner with your ministry, but they don’t want to feel that they are the only ones. Matching, challenge, and leadership gifts are effective tools to encourage others to give. Sometimes ministries incorrectly use these terms interchangeably and cause donor confusion.

Matching Gifts
Donors often wonder if matching gifts are real, or if the donor will give the entire amount anyway. Major donors often propose to match the total gifts raised within a certain time frame, effectively doubling their gift. The donor typically offers a maximum amount they will match. One major donor frames his gift this way, “I’m happy to send you $50k this year. Just tell me what projects you want me to designate and whether you want me to make my contribution contingent upon a match.”

Challenge Gifts
A matching gift is conditional upon the gifts of others; gifts can be matched until the goal is reached. Challenge gifts are given when the entire challenge is met—it’s an all or nothing scenario. One foundation only gives challenges gifts and gives the ministry exactly twelve months to achieve the goal or the challenge grant is withdrawn. If a match creates urgency with donors and gift officers, then a challenge grant is a match on steroids.

Leadership Gifts
It’s important to be accurate in your terminology. If the donor plans to give the match/challenge gift regardless of what other donors do, then their match/challenge is illusionary. On the other hand, leadership gifts are given no matter what others do. Major donors give generously to set the pace hoping that others will catch the vision. These key seed gifts are critical to your capital campaign success. When someone shows courage to lead; others follow.

Follow Through
Meanwhile, back in Corinth, the church was slow to follow through with their promised gift, so Paul penned 2 Corinthians to spur them into action and sent the brothers to collect (2 Corinthians 8:16-24). The Corinthians didn’t give their gift to prompt others, but Paul spoke of it everywhere he went and generated enthusiasm and generosity. Some major donors see match/challenge gifts as manipulative and refuse to participate; others only give this way. These strategies can motivate your major donors to inspire generosity in others.

Response: Lord, give me wisdom to know if I should present a match, challenge, or leadership gift opportunity to my major donors to encourage others to give.

Think About This: Encouraging others to give is a two-way street. Both large and small donors can encourage each other by their generosity.

Have a Spirit-led week!

Ron

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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.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-9). John D. Rockefeller, Jr. once remarked, “Never think you need to apologize for asking someone to give to a worthy object, any more than as though you were giving him an opportunity to participate in a high-grade investment. The duty of giving is as much his as is the duty of asking yours.” Rockefeller realized that both the giver and the asker have important functions. He may not have realized it, but each member of the body of Christ also has an important function. How does your spiritual gift enable you to be a more effective fundraiser? Prophesying The gift of prophecy is the gift of public speaking. Moses claimed he didn’t have it; that’s why God gave him Aaron (Exodus 4:10-17). If you have the spiritual gift to ask from the podium, ask in accordance with your faith. Serving In Acts 6, the apostles asked for help so they could focus on preaching. They chose seven deacons to wait on tables. You may not lead, but you can help by recording donor information, stuffing envelopes, making phone calls, delivering thank you gifts, and many other tasks. Teaching The greatest teaching tool is storytelling. Learn your ministry story well and teach others. Share the eternal impact your ministry is making and how your donors can be an integral part. Encouraging Barnabas was called “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). One way he encouraged the church was by selling a field and bringing the proceeds to the apostles. Perhaps your gift of encouragement can prompt your donors to be generous. Giving Every fundraiser wants to discover donors with the gift of giving! We are all called to give, but thankfully God has blessed some with the supernatural ability to be generous. Pray that the Holy Spirit will connect your need to ask with your donor’s need to give. Leading If God has called you to lead, how does this spiritual gift empower you to lead your fundraising efforts? The gift of leadership is the ability to organize, motivate, and make something happen. You will bless your ministry if you become the number one fundraiser. Showing Mercy The gift of mercy shows compassion to hurting people—those in jail, the hospital, the rescue mission, or on the street. These needs seem obvious, but your donors may be hurting on the inside. How can you show them compassion? Are you using your spiritual gift for fundraising? Response: Father, help me apply my spiritual gifts to my fundraising efforts to make the greatest impact for our ministry. Think About This: Is asking a spiritual gift? Perhaps it’s related to the gift of evangelism. Like evangelism some are uniquely gifted, but we are all called to share the gospel. You might not have the gift of asking, but you still need to ask. Have a Spirit-led week! Ron

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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.

“Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives” (Titus 3:13-14).

You don’t typically see an appeal letter pleading with you to help your local attorney. They don’t seem to have the same needs as widows or orphans—but here it is. Paul wrote Titus and the church in Crete to help Zenas the lawyer (and Apollos) who were on a mission from God to accomplish something significant. This passage teaches four important fundraising principles:

1. People Give to What You Ask

Paul instructed Titus to urge the people to give anything and everything they could to help Zenas and Apollos on their journey; the people responded. Your ministry partners will respond to your specific asks. If you ask for capital needs, they will respond. If you have an urgent budget need, they will respond. Even if you have a debt need, they will respond. Your job is to clearly tell your story, ask for what you need, and allow the Holy Spirit to prompt your donors’ hearts to give generously.

 2. People Give to People

Apollos was a dynamic preacher who was Paul’s co-laborer and friend (Acts 18:24). Zenas was probably a Jewish scholar who had converted to Christianity. Paul had recruited them to help him in an urgent matter. Paul didn’t ask the church to give to a fund; he asked them to give to people. You are not asking your ministry partners to give to a building; you’re asking them to give to the people who serve other people inside and outside the building.

3.  People Give to Urgent Needs.

There is nothing like a sense of urgency to motivate donors to part with their hard-earned cash. Urgency is why people give so generously when a natural disaster occurs. Help your donors understand the consequences of not giving. What key ministry opportunities will be lost if your project isn’t funded right now? Use words like “today” and “now” to covey urgency. Let them know the immediate impact their gift will make.

4.  People Must Learn Generosity.

We are all called to give, but some have the spiritual gift of giving and are divinely wired to give. All of us need to learn how to lay up treasures in heaven and “take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:19). Paul charged Titus to teach his people how to give by giving them a tangible project. Generosity, like every other spiritual discipline, requires intentionality and simple obedience.

Response: Father, teach me how to be generous. Show me how I can teach others to be generous. Give me boldness to ask them for everything we need.

Think About This: Generous giving produces at least two outcomes: 1) it meets urgent needs, and 2) it provides an opportunity for the giver to grow in the grace of giving. Paul plainly states that those who don’t learn generosity will lead unproductive lives. You have an urgent need to ask and receive, and your ministry partners have an urgent need to give.

Have a Spirit-led week!

Ron

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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 dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth” (Genesis 8:11).

For 40 days and 40 nights, God brought judgment on the earth. Rain poured down from heaven and the waters of the deep were released. When it stopped, Noah opened the window he had built and dispatched a raven for an aerial reconnaissance mission. The raven flew back and forth across the waters and never returned. Then Noah sent out a dove to see if the waters had gone down; it could find no place to perch so it returned. Seven days later, Noah again released the dove to see if the water had receded. This time the dove brought back an olive leaf in its beak—a small symbol of hope. This amazing account can teach us four truths about the major donor doves who support your work.

Donor Doves Test Your Assumptions.

How do you know when to move forward with your strategic plan? What indicators do you look for? One important strategy is listening to your key major donors. These people know and love your ministry and your constituency. They listen to the Spirit and they listen to those who are impacted by your ministry. Their feedback about the timing and circumstances for stepping out of the boat is invaluable.

Donor Doves Are Loyal.

Some donors and even board members act like the raven Noah released. He got out as quick as he could and never came back. When you’re ready to launch a capital campaign, you will discover who your friends really are. Some leave because they know your new initiative will cost them time and money. “They left us, but they were never really with us. If they had been, they would have stuck it out with us, loyal to the end” (1 John 2:9, MSG).

Donor Doves are Honest.

Be wary of “yes men” who rubber stamp your every idea. Winston Churchill declared, “If two people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary.” Gather people around you who will speak truth into your situation. The dove returned with nothing. Honest feasibility studies are a gift. If you don’t have the financial support for your idea, it’s critical that you know before you start a campaign so you can correct your deficiencies.

Donor Doves Give Hope.

The second time Noah released the dove, it returned with a fresh olive leaf in its beak. Imagine the joy and hope Noah and his family felt after spending 150 days in the ark! Donor doves give you a little ray of hope when you face the future. Maybe they give seed money to underwrite your feasibility study or pay for your initial architectural drawings. Their early support can give you confidence to move forward.

Response: Father, I praise you for those key donors to our ministry that come alongside and give us hope when we need it.

Think About This: The presence of Holy Spirit is depicted as a dove (Matthew 3:16). Find donors who will encourage you to listen to the Spirit’s voice about the right next step for your ministry.

Have a Spirit-led week!

Ron

If this devotional encouraged you, please forward it to a friend!

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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.