One of the fastest paths to fundraising burnout is the dangerous assumption that you must shoulder every responsibility alone. Perhaps you’re a one-person shop with seemingly no available help. Maybe you believe that delegating means compromising quality or speed. This mindset undermines your personal well-being and organizational effectiveness.
We credit Nehemiah for rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, yet success required the entire community working together. Nehemiah 3 lists every family, their specific responsibilities, and the exact sections they rebuilt. Successful fundraising happens when everyone in your ministry identifies, cultivates, and solicits donors.
Everyone Has a Role
From priests and temple gatekeepers to goldsmiths and perfume-makers, from government officials to ordinary merchants, everyone got involved. No role was insignificant. Fundraising is not just the executive director or development professionals’ job. Every team member can and should share your organization’s story. Similarly, every donor matters regardless of giving capacity. Whether someone contributes $100 or $100,000, each gift represents personal sacrifice and builds momentum toward your fundraising goals.
Work Where You Are
Families specifically “repaired the section opposite his house” or adjacent to their neighborhoods (Neh. 3:10,23,28,29,30). They assumed responsibility for areas closest to them. Focus your personal fundraising efforts within your sphere of influence. Coaches should prioritize relationships with dedicated fans and alumni athletes. Professors should cultivate connections with scholarship donors who support their specific programs. Youth workers should engage families whose children have benefited from their ministry. Genuine relationships always outperform generic, impersonal fundraising appeals.
Lead by Example
Eliashib the high priest and his fellow leaders demonstrated servant leadership by getting their hands dirty to build their section rather than merely telling others what to do. Leaders must be committed to fundraising, not just delegating tasks to staff members. When leaders demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for sharing your ministry’s story and personally asking for gifts, others are inspired and confident to get involved.
The Cost of Non-Participation
Nehemiah included an uncomfortable detail: certain nobles “would not put their shoulders to the work” (Neh. 3:5). Are there people in your ministry who sit and watch you do all the work? Pride, apathy, or fear often prevents people from engaging in fundraising. Unfortunately, their lack of participation forces others to pick up the slack.
Complete the Task
Nehemiah’s builders understood that leaving any gaps in their defensive wall would compromise the entire city. Your ministry also needs to fill in all the gaps on your donor giving pyramid: major donors, recurring donors, mid-level donors, first-time donors, foundations, churches, and legacy donors. Employ strategies to reach each segment.
Think About This: “So the wall was completed… in fifty-two days” (Neh. 6:15). The wall wasn’t built by one person working alone for years—it was completed by everyone working together for weeks. Imagine the transformative impact if every person in your organization committed to personally introducing just ten people to your ministry this year.
Response: Lord, forgive me for attempting to accomplish our mission by myself. Give me wisdom to effectively engage others in this significant work.
