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Fundraising Verse of the Week, Major Donors

What Major Donors Want

by Ron Haas
November 10, 2020

The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” (Nehemiah 2:4-5)

Nehemiah had prayed and planned for this moment with King Artaxerxes. When your major donor opens the door for your proposal, you must boldly share your heart and how they can make a difference that will last beyond their lifetime. We know what we want, but what do your major donors want from you? Many donors are frustrated with ministry leaders who don’t make sound business decisions. One donor who gives significantly to the kingdom looks for at least four critical qualities in a ministry leader.

Clear Thinking. Effective fundraising starts with a clear, compelling case for support based upon sound research. Some ministry leaders make decisions on a hunch, but God has given you a mind to think carefully about your steps. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” (Luke 14:28).

Good Judgment. A businessman who served on a board became increasingly frustrated with the way the executive director overspent the budget then desperately turned to donors for help. The businessman/board member raised red flags at every meeting, but the other board members gave into the leader’s whims. Finally, the board member left; he couldn’t stand to see the ministry he loved destroyed by bad decisions.

Competence. One major donor evaluated a leader’s track record and concluded, “He’s a nice guy who genuinely wants to help people, but he’s somewhat incompetent.” Donors who have this attitude about your ministry’s leadership may stop giving and wait for the next leader, or they may maintain status quo giving, but they certainly won’t give sacrificially.

Diligence. Laziness is a cardinal sin. Donors can understand if you fall short of your projections, but they don’t understand if you don’t give 110% percent to achieve your goal. Major donors accomplished success in business because they worked hard and have little sympathy for those who seem to coast. “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” (Proverbs 14:23).

Effective leaders are rare in the nonprofit would—or in the for-profit world for that matter. If God has called you to leadership, evaluate yourself to see how you match up with these donor expectations. If God has called you to follow, determine to “lead up” and help those above you live out these characteristics. Your donors will notice and thank you. Which of these traits will you enact today?

Response: Father, I want to be an effective leader. Please give me your clear thinking and good judgment. I pray for competence and diligence to serve you to the best of my ability.

Think about this: The king granted Nehemiah’s request because he believed in him. How can you build trust with your donors?

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

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.

Fundraising Verse of the Week, Team Building

Share Your Fundraising Load

by Ron Haas
November 4, 2020

The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone” (Numbers 11:16-17).

Moses was having a difficult time. The Children of Israel were complaining again; this time it was about the menu. Moses had reached his limit and cried out to the Lord essentially saying, “I can’t do this by myself. The burden is too great for me. Kill me now!” (Num. 11:14-15). Have you reached your breaking point with all your fundraising responsibilities? Are there too many days of the month left at the end of your money? There’s hope if you follow Moses’ example.

Recruit Leaders. Perhaps you’ve had less than satisfactory experiences with volunteers and are reluctant to try again. You may think that it’s just easier to do it yourself, but that spells burnout. Don’t settle for just any volunteers. Solomon warns, “Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by” (Prov. 26:10). Moses chose those who were known for leadership. Develop a job description with high expectations. Challenge your team to rise to the occasion by giving first and then asking their friends to give.

Empower Them. Most team members want to accomplish something of significance. Some nonprofits make the mistake of recruiting successful businesspeople and then not using them. Unfortunately, these volunteers eventually quit because the ministry wasted their time. The Lord empowered these seventy leaders with the Holy Spirit. Empower your volunteers with stories of your mission impact. Show them how their leadership is making an eternal difference in the lives of those you serve. Motivate your leaders to give their best efforts to advance your mission.

Delegate. The Lord told Moses that these leaders would share his burden. Delegation is an art. Too often leaders just dump responsibilities on others hoping for the best. Even worse, some leaders delegate then don’t give their volunteers freedom to succeed. A wise leader clearly defines expectations, trains fully, provides the resources to be successful, then steps back and lets them engage. The best ways your key volunteers can help your fundraising efforts is to identify, cultivate, and even solicit donors.

Finding, training, and motivating key volunteer leaders is a challenging job, but the alternative of trying to do it all yourself will limit your effectiveness. As the African proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Start small. Who are two individuals you could recruit this week to help you fundraise?

Response: Lord, please forgive me for trying to do it all myself. I praise you that you have empowered others who could help carry the load. Please reveal them to me.

Think about this: Perhaps God has increased your pressures to teach you to rely on him and not yourself.

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

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.

Fundraising Verse of the Week, Strategic Planning

4 Helpful Strategic Planning Questions

by Ron Haas
October 28, 2020

“When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, “Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees in it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.” (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)” Numbers 13:17-20

Moses sent twelve spies into the Promised Land to discover all the blessings God had in store for the Children of Israel. This wasn’t a recreational trip but a reconnaissance mission. Moses had many questions and needed answers, “Bring back some fruit of the land.” Moses wanted to prepare his people for what was ahead. As you envision your preferred future for your ministry, ask your key stakeholders these four questions.

What is right that we should amplify? Focus on what your ministry does well. Identify your unique characteristics. W. Edwards Deming championed the concept of continual improvement which simply means, “getting better all the time.” What changes could you make to your most effective programs to produce even greater results?

What is broken that we should fix? It takes courage to identify and change things that aren’t working. Sometimes, the best move is to eliminate a program, but those are painful conversations. If the program is worth salvaging, don’t take a band aid approach. Invest the personnel and dollars to completely turn it around.

What is missing that we should add? Sometimes we jump to what’s new and shiny. Instead of doing many things in a mediocre way, concentrate on doing a few things exceptionally. Test your assumptions with some key donors to make sure they believe your new idea has merit.

What is confusing that we should clarify? Communication is the greatest challenge for every organization. Apply the preacher rule, “A mist in the pulpit becomes a fog in the pew.” Clearly articulate your vison. Donors won’t give generously to a strategic plan they don’t understand.

The twelve spies believed the land was “flowing with milk and honey,” yet ten let fear stand in their way. This is a great strategic planning lesson. You can see all the evidence pointing to a God-inspired vision for your ministry, but if you lack faith you won’t move forward.

Response: Lord, I praise you for your perfect plan. Help me ask the right questions to discover your plan and take the right steps of faith.

Think about this: Many organizations put great effort into developing a strategic plan, only to have it gather dust on a shelf. General George S. Patton said, “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.”

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

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.

Fundraising Verse of the Week

Consider the Ant

by Ron Haas
October 22, 2020

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-8).

Last Saturday, I was working in my yard and noticed an ant on a rock running around in a small circle. He looked like he was taking hot laps at Daytona. He kept circling and circling and circling like he was trapped in some sort of loop that he couldn’t escape. It was a strange sight but a great illustration (see for yourself in this :20 video). Are you trapped in your own never-ending circle of fundraising activities? It’s easy for a development professional to run from one activity to the next – chasing, but never catching the prize. Consider the ant and evaluate your fundraising efforts.

Don’t Be Lazy
Solomon highlights the ant to scold sluggards who only work when their boss is watching and miss opportunities. Sadly, fundraising has its share of less-than-productive staff. There are countless timewasting activities to divert your focus. Can you say YouTube? Paul taught that our responsibility is to, “obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord” (Colossians 3:22).

Be Busy with Purpose
The industrious ant works diligently all summer and fall to prepare for the winter. The ant doesn’t have a boss telling him what to do or inspecting his work. He’s wired for productivity. Yet, busyness is also a trap. Howard Hendricks once remarked, “It’s not enough to be busy, you have to be productive.” It feels good to check off your various to-do items for the day, but ask yourself, “Are these the right tasks or just busywork?” Is what I’m doing the highest and best use of my time that will produce the highest and best results for my ministry?

Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan
Your approach to fundraising is different because you desire to serve the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. You have the right attitude, now you need the right plan. Attending staff meetings, writing reports, planning events, approving department expenditures, and creating marketing materials all seem important. However, good is often the enemy of the best. The best use of your time is meeting with your key major donors. Put donor visits at the top of your to-do list, otherwise you will be caught in a loop of good tasks and miss your greatest opportunities. Whom can you schedule a visit with today?

Response: “Lord, I want to serve you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Forgive me when I focus on things that don’t matter and neglect things that do.”

Think about this: Your to-do list is top of mind every day. Instead of adding to this list, consider developing a not-to-do list.

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

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.

Fundraising Verse of the Week, Team Building

Don’t Throw in the Towel!

by Ron Haas
October 16, 2020

“If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest” (Ecclesiastes 10:4).

Did you know that the average tenure of a fundraiser is two years or less? Fundraising is a tough job. A recent survey indicated that unrealistic expectations, low appreciation, and dysfunctional work environments all contribute to this rapid turnover. Is there a way to hang on and be productive despite all the forces working against you? Solomon gave great counsel for employees when the king’s anger rises against you.

When You Face the Heat…
Is your boss mad at you for the sin of commission (something you did that you shouldn’t have done), or the sin of omission (something you should have done that you didn’t do)? Either way it’s unpleasant. Perhaps your boss has no legitimate reason to be dissatisfied with you or your work. Maybe he or she is just having a bad hair day. Perhaps you are the boss and you are facing heat from your board for some decision you made or didn’t make. Whatever situation you face, you need a plan to deal with your crisis.

And Feel Tempted to Quit…
We have three choices to resolve workplace conflict: flee, fight, or flow. Many take the easy way out and flee to the mirage of greener pastures. Solomon strongly counsels against this, “do not leave your post.” Others will stand and fight for their cause often exacerbating the situation. Some will opt for flow seeking to find a win-win situation where both parties compromise. That’s a hopeful solution, but often unrealistic. After all, compromise means that no one really gets what they want. Solomon offers a fourth option for conflict: face it calmly.

Keep Calm and Carry On!
No doubt you’ve seen a variation of this motivational poster. In 1939, the British government used this phrase to boost the morale of the British people as they prepared for World War II. Solomon was the first to preach this concept, “calmness can lay great offenses to rest.” Maybe you have greatly offended your boss or your board; Solomon gives hope that your conflict can be resolved peacefully. How does this work? When your boss/board blows a gasket, don’t respond in kind. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). Instead of reacting sinfully, faithfully keep doing your job and calmly respond in kindness. God can use your gentleness to change hearts. “Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone” (Proverbs 25:15).

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

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.

Donor Relations, Fundraising Verse of the Week, Major Donors

Not Just Donors, Friends!

by Ron Haas
October 7, 2020

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15).

Do you treat your donors as servants or friends? Do you only care about your donors for what they have and what they can do for you instead of who they are and what you can do for them? Jesus makes an amazing statement to his disciples, “I have called you friends.” Yes, we are Christ’s servants, but he has elevated our relationship status to friend and desires to be your close friend. You should elevate your donors to friends.

Terminology. How we refer to our supporters reveals how we view them. Sometimes we identify them by a number we’ve assigned them in our software. Sometimes we categorize them by their giving history or capacity. We refer to LYBUNTS (meaning they gave last year but not this year) or SYBUNTS (meaning they gave some year but not this year). Subconsciously or consciously we often view our donors as dollar signs. Make a significant shift in your vocabulary and start referring to your donors as ministry partners.

Trust. How does a servant become a friend? The answer is by building trust. Joseph was a faithful servant who eventually rose to second in command because he could be trusted. The trust we develop with our ministry partners is built over years of keeping our word. Do what you say you will do. If you promise to follow up with an answer to their question, follow up promptly. If you indicate you will use their gift for a certain project, don’t shift their funds to something else without asking their permission. It’s difficult to repair the damage caused by broken trust.

Transparency. Jesus treats us as friends by communicating fully with us. “A servant doesn’t know his master’s business.” Servants are kept in the dark about their master’s full intentions. Sometimes we keep our donors in the dark about our ministry plans. Jesus is completely transparent; everything he learned from his father he has shared with us. Treating your donors as friends means you genuinely care for them and communicate openly and honestly about your needs. Your transparency will earn you the opportunity to ask for their help.

Henri Nouwen made this insightful statement about a fundraiser’s relationship with donors, “Once we are prayerfully committed to placing our whole trust in God, and have become clear that we are concerned only for the Kingdom; once we have learned to love the rich for who they are rather than what they have; and once we believe that we have something of great value to give them, then we will have no trouble at all in asking someone for a large sum of money.”

If we love the rich for who they are we will view them as friends, even close friends. If we love the rich for what they have we will see them only as a means to an end – their means to support our end. Let Nouwen’s phrase sink into your heart, “Love the rich for who they are rather than what they have.” What will you do this week to build trust with your ministry partners?

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

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.

Donor Relations, Fundraising Verse of the Week, Major Donors, Stewardship

Determined Generosity

by Ron Haas
September 29, 2020

“But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.” Isaiah 32:8 NLT

Sometimes people who receive think that giving is easy, but that’s not true. Satan doesn’t want God’s kingdom to thrive, so he hurls many fiery darts at believers to discourage them from overflowing with generosity. Even when someone is inclined to give, many barriers stand in the way. Consider these three:

Family. People often use family obligations as an excuse for not giving. The friend at midnight’s friend even said, “my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything” (Luke 11:7). Parents and grandparents are squeezed to pay tuition—sometimes even through post-doctoral studies! Some are legitimately focused on providing critical care their children; others fixate on supplying “the cares of this world.” Giving becomes even more challenging when children oppose their grandparents’ or parents’ charitable decisions. However, generous people view their family needs in light of eternity and make room for generosity.

Finances. You may think that wealthy people should be more generous because they don’t have to worry about money. They might not worry in a sinful sense, but often they are concerned about making wise stewardship decisions. There are times when a donor may want to give, but simply cannot. Fred was asked if he would consider supporting a campaign, he initially indicated he would give $25,000, but after prayer and reconsidering his other obligations he decided to give $10,000. Our proper response is gratitude, not disappointment.

Fear. Satan throws his ultimate weapons of fear and doubt at generous people. “If I give, will I have enough to meet my needs (Matthew 6:33)?  “How can I be sure that God will ‘throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it’” (Malachi 3:10)? Giving requires immense faith no matter your net worth. Fear can surprise even a well-intentioned donor at any time in the giving process, even after they have verbally agreed to support your ministry.

Thankfully, generous people stand firm in their generosity, but that doesn’t make their giving decisions simple or easy. Pray fervently that your donors would stand against the devil’s excuses. Satan knows that if he cuts off your supply lines, he will weaken your ministry. Surround your ministry partners with your shield of faith to help extinguish the flaming arrows aimed at their hearts. Pause right now and pray for your key friends seeking God’s wisdom for what to give, to whom, and when.

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

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.

Donor Relations, Fundraising Verse of the Week, Major Donors

Passing the Donor Test

by Ron Haas
September 24, 2020

“When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. Arriving with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind. 2 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her. 3 When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, 4 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.” 2 Chronicles 9:1-4

Donors are investors. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. once said, “I have been brought up to believe, and the conviction only grows on me, that giving ought to be entered into in just the same careful way as investing–that giving is investing, and that it should be tested by the same intelligent standards. Whether we expect dividends in dollars or human betterment, we need to be sure that the gift or the investment is a wise one and therefore we should know all about it.”

Solomon was by no means a charity case, but the queen of Sheba came with expensive gifts and hard questions. He answered her every question, nothing was too difficult for him. Major donors also ask hard questions. They conduct the same due diligence as they would for a potential business partnership and look for least three key indicators.

Fiscal Responsibility. Businesspeople want to know that your ministry plans make sound financial sense. They may want to review your audit, challenge your financial projections, and question your strategic plan. The bottom line is they want assurance that if they give significantly, you will manage their gift well. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (Luke 16:10).

Spiritual Impact. Kingdom givers want spiritual outcomes and resonate with everything you do that advances the Gospel. Supply facts and figures that demonstrate your ministry effectiveness. Always tell your story through the stories of the lives you have reached for Christ. Be just as concerned about your spiritual accounting as you are of your fiscal accounting.

Healthy Organization. Wise donors know that only spiritually healthy organizations can make an eternal difference. Solomon’s kingdom was breathtaking. The palace was beautiful, the food superb; everything and everyone were in their right places. The queen even noted his attending servants’ exquisite uniforms. But what caught her attention was how happy Solomon’s people were (v. 7). She recognized that God was the reason Solomon’s court was so special. “Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you” (v. 8).

For the queen, seeing was believing. Solomon exceeded her expectations. She was amazed at his wisdom and how God had blessed him in every imaginable way. Will your ministry pass the donor test? Interestingly, Solomon gave her more that she brought to him (v. 12). That’s true for your donors and you. They bless you with their gifts, but your gift to them is far greater. By partnering with your ministry, they will lay up treasures in heaven!

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

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.

Communication, Fundraising Verse of the Week, Team Building

Blessed are the Peacemakers

by Ron Haas
September 17, 2020

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3).

There are many reasons why development departments fail: unclear vision, incomplete donor information, underfunded budgets, wrong strategies, half-hearted implementation, and poor communication. One problem that rises above all the rest is dysfunctional internal relationships. You can have the greatest ministry vision, an amazing CRM database, best practice strategies, a team trying to do their best, and clear communication, but without a positive organizational culture that supports your fundraising effort, you won’t reach your fundraising potential. We can all identify examples of toxic work cultures. Paul shares three antidotes:

Be completely humble and gentle.
So much office drama could be avoided if we simply practiced humility and gentleness toward one another. Unfortunately, our egos wrestle to gain the advantage. We chafe when someone else gets the credit for what we’ve accomplished. Solomon teaches in Proverbs 13:10, “Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” Can you identify ways you have shown pride in your workplace?

Be patient.
Fundraising requires immense patience. Externally, it takes time to schedule donor meetings; it can be very frustrating to make multiple attempts to connect with your donors, but you must never be rude or unkind. Internally, it takes time to write, design, proof, and print solicitation materials. Showing impatience with fellow team members or external vendors usually doesn’t speed up the process but only adds anxiety and stress to your entire team.

Bearing with one another in love.
Eugene Peterson paraphrased Ephesians 4:3 this way, “pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences” (The Message). We all have unique personalities and idiosyncrasies and are bound to rub one another the wrong way. A culture of love recognizes and appreciates the differences and works quickly to reconcile when disagreements arise. The greatest solution is to simply love one another because “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). These principles are easy to say and difficult to implement, but the right atmosphere makes fundraising much more enjoyable and productive. If your development department is toxic, what proactive steps can you take to keep the unity of the Spirit? Paul admonishes us, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

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.

Communication, Fundraising Verse of the Week

Cultivating Bumper Crops

by Ron Haas
September 17, 2020

“Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds’” (John 12:23-24).

Seeds are miraculous. Farmers and gardeners know that it requires the proper soil, water, temperature, and light conditions for seeds to germinate. In simple terms the seed must die to reproduce. In this verse, Jesus used seeds to picture his death and resurrection. Because of Christ’s death—the one seed—“many will be made righteous” (Rom. 5:19). Jesus invites believers to follow in his steps. “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25). God calls us to work in his harvest field, but first we must die to ourselves.

Sowing and Reaping. The dying seed principle applies directly to generous giving. The money we give becomes dead to us in the sense that we give up our control. God takes our seed and works a miracle to produce a harvest of righteousness in others. The sowing and reaping principle means that you reap in proportion to what you sow. If you sow with caution, you will reap a poor harvest. If you sow with abundance, you will reap a bumper crop. This truth should compel us to give as much as we possibly can—and then give more!

Multiplication Factor. Communicate your needs to your donors by emphasizing the eternal results their gift will produce as they partner with you. Help them understand how your ministry will multiply their gift in the lives of the people you serve directly, and how the chain reaction of one changed life will impact many others. The students you educate today will be leaders tomorrow. The homeless person you feed, clothe, shelter, and retrain now will become a productive community member in the future.

Eternal Impact. Often colleges and universities conduct an economic impact study demonstrating their value to the community. Frame your appeals with an “eternal impact” perspective proving your value to your constituency. Donors want to know that your ministry is a good investment that will produce a spiritual return on their gift. Tell your “many seeds” stories to encourage your donors to plant their single seed.

 

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

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.

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