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A silhouette of a woman and young child holding hands on a beach at sunset against a vivid red and orange sky, with the text Restoring SYBUNTs and the scripture reference 1 Kings 8:6 in white lettering.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Restoring SYBUNTs

by Ron Haas
June 8, 2026

“Restore all that was hers, together with all the produce of the fields from the day that she left the land until now” (2 Kings 8:6).

Every nonprofit database is filled with SYBUNT donors (Some Year But Unfortunately Not This Year). These are people who once gave generously and then stopped. Is there any hope of winning these former partners? Or do we simply move on? The Shunammite woman’s remarkable journey back home gives us four lessons worth considering.

Remember Why They Were Engaged
The Shunammite’s encounter with Elisha was lifechanging (see 2 Kings 4:8-37). She was a woman of means who showed great kindness to the prophet by regularly inviting him for meals and even building him a private room on her roof. In gratitude, Elisha promised her a son even though she was childless and her husband was old. The boy was born a year later. When the child suddenly died years later, her unshakable faith led her to rush straight to Elisha. Through prayer and a miraculous act, Elisha restored the boy to life. Your key donors were once deeply engaged with your ministry because your work touched their family in a real and personal way. Never forget that the connection mattered.

Understand Their Reasons for Leaving
Elisha warned the Shunammite that a famine was coming and advised her to leave for her family’s safety. She was gone for seven years. Donors leave for all kinds of reasons. Perhaps they had a bad experience with a staff member. If you lead a K-12 school, their interest naturally moved on when their children graduated. Sometimes life circumstances simply prevent them from giving. A health crisis. A business downturn. A season of personal hardship. Understanding the reason matters before you reach out.

Trust God for a Divine Appointment
When the woman returned, she discovered her land had been taken over by others who assumed she was never coming back. She went directly to the king to appeal for what was rightfully hers. Meanwhile, inside the palace, Elisha’s servant Gehazi was telling the king about the miracles God had done through Elisha, including the story of the widow’s son being raised to life. And right at that instant, she walked through the door. That was no coincidence. There are no coincidences in God’s plan. He orchestrates divine appointments, and He can bring a lapsed donor right back into your world.

Ask the Lord for Full Restoration
The woman’s land was restored completely. The king assigned an official to her case and said, “Give back everything that belonged to her, including all the income from her land from the day she left until now.” Two applications stand out in this detail. First, assign your key lapsed donors to a portfolio and follow up intentionally. Second, notice that her restoration was both financial and relational. God can uncover lapsed donors and lead them back to partner with you again.

Think About This: You need to cultivate and maintain close relationships with your top donors because relationships left untended quietly drift away.

Response: Lord, thank you for your divine appointments that help us re-engage with our key donors. Restore what has been lost, for your glory and the advancement of your ministry.

A dramatic wide-angle view of a packed basketball arena with bright overhead lights and two visible hoops, with the text Love the Fundraising Game and the scripture reference 1 Peter 5:2 in white lettering.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Love the Fundraising Game

by Ron Haas
June 1, 2026

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them, not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve” (1 Peter 5:2)

Maybe the reason Michael Jordan was the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) is that basketball wasn’t just a game to him. He loved it so much he had a “love of the game” clause written into his contract. It meant he could jump into a pickup game anytime he wanted, and even if he got hurt, his contract was still guaranteed. That’s what it looks like when you love what you do. Peter describes that same kind of passion in his instructions to elders. Here are four lessons to keep your fundraising fervor alive.

Care for Your Donors
We talk about knowing our donors, but it goes beyond that. It means caring for them as people. Scott called Bill to find out why he hadn’t responded to his emails or voicemails. When they finally connected, Bill shared that he had been caring for his wife Marilyn, who had fallen and undergone back surgery. Thankfully, she was on the mend. Scott offered encouragement and prayed with them right there on the phone. That call had nothing to do with a gift. It had everything to do with shepherding. And their relationship is stronger today because of it.

Not Because You Must
Fundraising can feel like a grind. You’ve got a full to-do list with donors calls and visits every week. Your activity matters and will transform your results. But here’s the key. When we start viewing each conversation as a chance to help someone experience the joy of generosity, our whole perspective shifts. It goes from “I have to make this ask” to “I get to invite this person into something meaningful.” That’s the difference between obligation and calling.

Not Pursuing Dishonest Gain
Peter warns against dishonest gain, and that should hit close to home for every fundraiser. This is one reason why fundraising is not commissioned-based. When your paycheck depends on how much money you bring in, it creates a conflict of interest. Instead of doing what’s right for the donor, you might focus only on getting the biggest check possible right now. A shepherd of generosity does the opposite. You’re stewarding the relationship, not just closing the deal.

Eager to Serve
Eagerness to serve means doing your homework. Learn your donor’s giving history, what they care about, and why. Eagerness shows up when you make a thank you call and send a handwritten note. But the truest sign of eagerness is listening more than talking. An eager servant pays attention to what God is doing in that person’s life and looking for where the mission intersects with the donor’s calling.

Think About This: You’re not a solicitor. You’re a shepherd of generosity. When you see it that way, fundraising stops being something you have to do and becomes something you get to do.

Response: Father, thank you for calling me into the ministry of fundraising. Give me a shepherd’s heart for every donor you’ve entrusted to my care. Help me love this work the way you love your people. Amen.

An empty wheelchair sitting on a long empty road disappearing into a foggy horizon, in black and white, with the text Fundraising Paralysis and the scripture reference John 5:6 in white lettering.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Fundraising Paralysis

by Ron Haas
May 26, 2026

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6 NIV)

Jesus went to the pool of Bethesda where dozens of blind, lame, and paralyzed people were waiting to be healed. He saw one man who had been lying there for 38 years and asked a probing question, “Do you want to get well?” The man shared reasons for his hopeless situation, to which Jesus commanded, “Get up! Take up your mat and walk.” Immediately, the man was healed and began to walk. This miracle teaches four truths about fundraising.

The Question
Why would Jesus ask the man if he really wanted to be well? It seems obvious. Of course he did. But the same question can apply to you and your ministry. Do you really want fundraising success? All ministry leaders and boards want the results of fundraising, but few are willing to take the time to identify, cultivate, and solicit major donors. How many of your top 25 donors have you visited in the last 90 days?

It Requires Humility
The invalid was helpless because he had no one to carry him to the pool. In one sense, your ministry is helpless unless others help you. You must rely on the generosity of others. Being a successful fundraiser starts with humility. Many ministry leaders will do events, write letters, and send emails, but they won’t sit across from a donor and make a direct ask because that requires vulnerability. That’s where humility really lives.

Take the First Step
Jesus simply commanded, “Get up! Take up your mat and walk.” Many organizations lie around waiting for the Lord to open the windows of heaven and pour out his blessing. Thankfully, the Lord does provide, but he also asks us to get up and get going. If you never pick up the phone and call your donors, they will never answer you. Sometimes ministries are stuck in fundraising complacency. Write down the name of one donor you’ve been avoiding and put a call on your calendar for this week.”

Don’t Turn Back
Later, Jesus saw the newly healed man in the temple and gave him this ominous warning, “Stop sinning or something worse will happen to you” (John 5:14). Spiritually, we all have a tendency to fall back into our old ways. Jesus prompts him to keep walking by faith. In fundraising, the most effective strategy is to schedule face-to-face donor visits, cultivate a relationship with your donor, and ask for a specific gift. It’s too easy to fall back into a let’s-just-send-a-letter mentality.

Think About This: When Jesus asked, “Do you want to get well?” the man could have responded, “No, I’m good.” Are you passive or active in your fundraising efforts? Many ministry leaders are just lying around waiting for someone to help them. The best fundraisers get up and go talk with donors. Be proactive and schedule that donor meeting today.

Response: Lord, forgive me for depending on others more than I depend on you. Thank you for giving me a new lease on my fundraising life. Help me move forward with your power and purpose. Amen.

A cup of black coffee on a saucer surrounded by scattered coffee beans against a cream background, with the text The Coffee Club and the scripture reference Romans 16:3 in bold brown lettering.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

The Coffee Club

by Ron Haas
April 28, 2026

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3).

In 1948, Bob Arrol bought a small-town drugstore. Every morning, he made coffee for his friend Horace Clark. To save on dishwashing, Bob wrote Horace’s name on a cup. Word spread fast. Soon, everyone in town wanted their name on a cup too. Bob set a rule: drink 100 cups of coffee first. At a nickel per cup, that’s five bucks and a lot of mornings showing up. Eventually, 162 named cups filled a cabinet Bob built himself. The coffee club became so popular that the only way to join was if someone moved away or died.

Bob Arrol’s drugstore became the beating heart of Arcola. Twenty people packed into 13 stools and surrounding booths every morning. They read newspapers, discussed community news, and caught up on life. Bob and his wife Betty “fostered a sense of belonging.” People didn’t come just for coffee. They came because they had a place where somebody knew their name.

Know Your Donors’ Names
In Romans 16, Paul mentions at least 26 people by name. Phoebe, the letter carrier. Priscilla and Aquila, who risked their necks for him. Mary, who worked hard. Andronicus and Junia, outstanding among the apostles. Urbanus, his fellow worker. Stachys, his dear friend. Apelles, who stood the test. Paul named individuals and highlighted what made each person special. Why? Because people aren’t interchangeable. Because names matter. Because belonging matters. Because when someone takes the time to know you specifically, it transforms everything.

Use Your Donors’ Names
Bob Arrol stumbled onto brilliant marketing, but that wasn’t his goal. It wasn’t just the downtown destination of the store. It was the people you’d see and visit with, the conversations you’d have and the welcoming atmosphere. That’s exactly what Paul created in his letters. And it’s exactly what we’re called to create in our fundraising work.

Donors aren’t ATM machines. They’re Horace Clark waiting for someone to know their name. They’re Mary who works hard. They’re Apelles who stands the test. They’re real people who long to belong somewhere that matters. When we send mass emails addressed to “Dear Friend,” we’re missing the point. When we thank “our generous supporters” instead of thanking Jennifer, Michael, and the Thompson family, we’re washing the cup instead of putting a name on it.

Remember Your Donors’ Names
Paul’s list is revolutionary. In a world where most people were nameless slaves or faceless crowds, Paul said: You matter enough for me to write your name. You’re not just “the church.” You’re Phoebe, Priscilla, and Urbanus. Bob Arrol’s coffee club ended when he closed the drugstore in 1984. But the cups that remain at the Arcola Chamber of Commerce tell a story that’s good to the last drop: People will show up, stick around, and invest deeply in something when they know they belong, when someone knows their name.

Think About This: Here’s your assignment this week: Pick up your donor list. Pray their names out loud. Remember they’re not just giving, they’re longing to belong to something bigger than themselves. Just like Paul knew. Just like Bob knew.

Response: Lord, thank you for remembering my name. Help me know, use, and remember the names of our ministry partners.

A lone figure standing on a mountain summit overlooking a sweeping valley at sunrise, with the text God's Role in Your Fundraising Challenge and the scripture reference 2 Chronicles 20:17 in white lettering.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

God’s Role in Your Fundraising Challenge

by Ron Haas
April 27, 2026

“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:17).

A vast army was knocking on Jerusalem’s door. Instead of panicking, King Jehoshaphat gathered the people to fast and seek the Lord. He confessed: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12). Jahaziel prophesied, “The battle is not yours but God’s… You will not have to fight.” They needed only to take their positions, stand firm, and watch God’s deliverance unfold. From Jehoshaphat’s crisis response, we discover four fundraising principles.

Pray Up
When Martin Luther had much to do, he would spend the first three hours in prayer. How important is prayer in your fundraising efforts? Do you spend more time planning or praying? Do you pray for your major donors by name? Do you pray that God will bless their families, their health, their businesses? Jehoshaphat invited all Israel to pray for their deliverance. You should invite your board, staff, and volunteers to pray for God’s blessing on your fundraising efforts.

Suit Up
Israel was commanded to “take up your positions; stand firm.” Fundraising is spiritual warfare. Satan doesn’t want your ministry partners to give generously because he doesn’t want your ministry to succeed. He will oppose you in every way possible. You’ll schedule the meeting, and your donor will get called away on emergency business. Paul instructs us to “put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). Your shield of faith reminds you this isn’t about your effort but God’s provision.

Show Up
“Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:17). Fundraising isn’t passive,  it’s active. You’ve got to pick up the phone and call your donors. You might need to call fifteen times before you finally connect. You’ve got to go see your donors face-to-face and share your vision. You’ve got to listen to their hearts and learn what matters to them. Woody Allen said, “80% of success is showing up.” You cannot merely “phone it in” you have to show up.

Look Up
God places you in situations that seem overwhelming so you will learn to rely on him. In this battle, Israel didn’t fight at all. They worshiped their way to victory. When you’ve prayed up, suited up, and shown up, your job is to trust God for the outcome. Judah spent three days collecting abundant plunder. You can’t manufacture generosity. Only the Holy Spirit can move someone’s heart to give sacrificially.

Think About This: Spirit-led fundraising is knowing when to listen and when to speak. Sometimes it’s asking for the gift. Sometimes it’s simply showing up to collect the check God has already prepared.

Response: Lord, help me faithfully pray for my donors. Give me courage to suit up spiritually before every meeting. Help me show up consistently, even when it’s hard. Remind me to look up, trusting you to fight my battles.

A gleaming ornate sword against a black background with the text Be This Kind of Fundraiser and the scripture reference 2 Samuel 23:9-10 in white lettering.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Be This Kind of Fundraisers

by Ron Haas
April 27, 2026

“Next to him was Eleazar… As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.” (2 Samuel 23:9-10).

What makes a great fundraiser? It’s someone who finishes what they start. The person who stays until the last guest leaves the gala. The gift officer who keeps making calls even when no one picks up. The one who keeps building relationships when donors seem uninterested, and keeps asking for gifts long after everyone else has given up. This kind of fundraiser is rare. Eleazar shows us what a tenacious fundraiser looks like, the person who keeps going when everyone else quits. Here are four things we can learn from him.

Don’t Run Away
There’s something almost funny about this story. The Israelites trash-talked the Philistines (think of that famous scene in Braveheart), got them all riled up, and then ran away. Sound familiar? It’s like when your board gets excited about a big campaign but disappears when the work gets hard. As one board member joked, “We’re behind you…way, way behind you.” But Eleazar didn’t care. He stayed focused and refused to run.

Keep Going When You’re Exhausted
Picture Eleazar fighting wave after wave of enemies until he’s completely worn out. That’s fundraising, right? You’ve got events to plan, mailings to send, reports to write, and then there’s the actual work of finding donors, building relationships, and asking for money. There’s never enough hours in the week. When you feel like this, remember: “I am weary, God, but I can prevail” (Proverbs 30:1).

Hold Tight to God’s Promises
Here’s the amazing part—Eleazar fought so long and so hard that his hand literally froze to his sword. He couldn’t let go even if he wanted to. That’s how you need to grip God’s Word in your fundraising work. You’ll face conversations and situations you can’t handle in your own understanding. You need God’s wisdom and strength daily. “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7).

Let God Do His Part
The passage says, “The Lord brought about a great victory that day.” Yes, Eleazar did something incredible, but God made it possible. You might be the most talented fundraiser around, but your success ultimately comes from God’s strength and blessing. You can do your part, make the calls, write the emails, build the relationships, make the ask. But only God can move people’s hearts to give.

Think About This: When the battle ended, everyone came back, but only to collect the valuables from the dead enemies. All the hard work was already done. Here’s the question: Are you the one doing the heavy lifting, or are you just showing up after someone else has done the work?

Response: Lord, give me the strength to keep asking when everyone else runs away. Help me be a mighty fundraiser for your glory!

A row of colorful sharpened pencils arranged along the top edge of a bright yellow background, with the text “The Art of the Bold Ask” and “Matthew 20:21” centered below.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

The Art of the Bold Ask

by Ron Haas
April 20, 2026

“What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom” (Matthew 20:21).

Every fundraiser faces the moment: it’s time to make the ask. The mother of James and John shows us how, and teaches us what to avoid.

Talk to the Right Person
Mom got the most important thing right. She went directly to Jesus, the only one who could give the final answer. She didn’t ask Peter to put in a good word, that would have been a conflict of interest, and Peter couldn’t give the final word anyway. Don’t take a no from someone who can’t give you a yes. Are you pitching the daughter when her mom controls the purse strings? In fundraising, we sometimes waste months cultivating the wrong person. Make sure you’re talking with the right donor.

Ask Boldly
Mom was fearlessly bold. Why? She believed in her sons! Jesus had already honored them among the inner circle of Peter, James, and John. In her mind, it was the logical next step. When you believe deeply in your cause, boldness comes naturally. If you question your ministry direction or doubt your project’s impact, you’ll struggle to ask with confidence. But when you know your mission inside and out, when you’ve seen lives transformed, when you believe God is in this, you can ask without apology.

Get to the Point
Mom didn’t list her sons’ credentials or justify her request. She just asked. Ian, a successful investor, learned this lesson after 30 years. Every pitch deck he made was 90% wasted effort. He discovered that family offices make investment decisions in three minutes, not from 47 slides but from one page answering three questions: What you’ve done (track record), what you’ll do (clear plan), and what they’ll make (their return). Ian says, “If you can’t explain your deal on one page, you don’t understand it yourself.”

You’re presenting an eternal investment. Can you answer on one page: What have you accomplished? What will you do with this gift? What eternal return will donors see?

Ask for the Right Things
Here’s where mom missed the mark. Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking.” Her enthusiasm was genuine, but she completely misunderstood what she was requesting. We make the same mistake. We get excited about our project and boldly approach a donor, asking the wrong person, at the wrong time, for the wrong amount, for the wrong project. A college president once asked a local bank for a $50 million lead gift. Shocked, they questioned why he thought they had that capacity or interest.

Before you ask, do your research. Understand the donor’s capacity, passions, and giving history. Learn what truly matters to them. Match your request to their interests and capabilities.

Think About This: “Desire without knowledge is not good, how much more will hasty feet miss the way!” (Proverbs 19:2) This week, research one prospect’s capacity and interests thoroughly. Then answer three questions on one page: what you’ve done, what you’ll do, and what eternal impact their gift will create.

Response: Lord, give me wisdom to know what to ask, from whom, and when.

A smiling man in a suit wearing a gold crown and raising his hands against a red background, with the text “Narcissistic Fundraisers” and “Proverbs 25:6–7” displayed on the left side.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Narcissistic Fundraisers

by Ron Haas
April 13, 2026

“Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
    and do not claim a place among his great men;
it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
    than for him to humiliate you before his nobles” (Proverbs 25:6-7).

Fundraising attracts two kinds of people: those who want to change lives and those who want to be celebrated for changing lives.  Solomon warns against this exact trap, “Do not exalt yourself.” Here’s his application for fundraisers: Stop grabbing the credit. Let others elevate you, or better yet, let your work speak for itself.

Why Fundraising Attracts Egos
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: fundraising is catnip for narcissists. It offers built-in applause when you land a major gift. It provides moral camouflage; you can be grandiose while sounding selfless. Many nonprofits have weak boards and vague metrics, making it easy for a charismatic “rainmaker” to dominate without accountability. Plus, the job itself rewards performance, storytelling, and self-presentation which is exactly what narcissists do naturally. They get admiration from donors, board members, and volunteers. It’s an ego buffet, and nobody questions it because, after all, they’re “saving the world.”

A Bad Example
Jim was a talented major gift officer. The trouble was, he knew it and made sure everyone else knew it too. He loved swooping into key donor meetings to ask for the big gift, then took full credit for the close while ignoring all the donor cultivation by others that actually made it happen. Everything became about Jim. To outsiders, the team looked successful. But inside, his ego created a toxic work culture. He’d actually say things like, “I built this ministry. You didn’t. I did.” Jim’s pride didn’t just make him insufferable, it suffocated everyone around him.

The Humble Alternative
Truly humble fundraisers operate completely differently. They walk into meetings and immediately hand the microphone to others. They stay in the background fixing problems while others take center stage. When they ask for money, they frame it as “This is how you change a life,” not “Help me hit my goal.” They give away all credit, remember every donor’s name and story, and thank the team relentlessly. The result? Donors feel like heroes. Gifts grow steadily year after year, sometimes for decades, because people aren’t investing in a person, they’re investing in a mission.

Questions to Keep Your Ego in Check

  1. Whose name gets heard most, yours or the ministry’s? If you’re the main character in every story, something’s wrong.
  2. Would donors keep giving if you disappeared tomorrow? If not, you’ve built a cult of personality, not a sustainable mission.
  3. Did you thank your staff? Credit shared is trust earned.
  4. Is your ego shrinking or sneaking into every story? Self-awareness is the first step toward humility.

Think About This: Same job, opposite ego. Proverbs 29:23 teaches, “Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.” The humble fundraiser always raises more and keeps it coming. Kings don’t like people who grab credit, and neither does anyone else. Focus on lifting your ministry, not yourself.

Response: Lord, please forgive me for taking any credit for the work you are accomplishing in our ministry. Help me serve with humility and give you all the glory.

A sunrise over four distinct paths—dry cracked ground, a dirt road, a rocky path, and thorny terrain—stretching into the distance, with the text “Four Fundraising Volunteers” and “Matthew 13:8” displayed in the sky.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Four Fundraising Volunteers

by Ron Haas
April 7, 2026

“Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop, a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:8).

Choosing who serves on your volunteer fundraising team is one of your most important leadership decisions. The right people multiply your impact; the wrong ones drain your energy and stall progress. Jesus’ parable of the four types of soil teaches how people receive the gospel, and it offers surprising insight for recruiting volunteers. Just like the farmer encountered different soil conditions, you’ll discover people respond very differently when asked to help with fundraising.

Hardened-The path
The first type of ground Jesus mentions is the hard-packed path where birds eat the seeds before they can even sink in. In volunteer recruitment, these are people whose hearts are closed to your mission or who want nothing to do with fundraising. Their first response is, “I can’t ask people for money.” Maybe they just don’t see asking for money as ministry. Don’t take it personally. Not everybody is wired for fundraising.

Shallow-The rocky ground
The second type is rocky soil with just a thin layer of dirt. Seeds sprout quickly but die fast when the heat comes because their roots can’t go deep. These volunteers sign up enthusiastically and make big promises, but when the work gets hard or takes longer than expected, they disappear. They lack the deep commitment needed to finish. Experienced leaders learn to look past initial excitement and discern whether someone truly understands what they’re signing up for.

Distracted-The thorny ground
The third type is thorny ground. Seeds grow here, but weeds choke them out. These volunteers genuinely care about your mission and want to help. But their lives are just too crowded. Work pressures, family needs, and a dozen other commitments squeeze out their ability to serve well. They show up to meetings occasionally but can’t really dig in. The problem isn’t their character, it’s their calendar. Leaders need to help these folks make an honest assessment if this is the right time for them to serve. Perhaps you could suggest other ways they can support your work instead.

Fruitful-The good soil
Finally, Jesus describes good soil that produces a huge harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was planted. These volunteers have a “Here am I. Send me” attitude. Their commitment is real, and they have time to serve. They don’t just show up; they go all in. They don’t just complete tasks; they multiply your impact by bringing others along and modeling what generosity looks like. Pray that the Lord of the Harvest will send these types of workers to you.

Think About This: The farmer’s job isn’t to create good soil; it’s to find it and develop it. Smart leaders invest most heavily in people who show they’re ready rather than spreading energy equally across everyone. This doesn’t mean you’re unkind to those who can’t commit. It means you’re stewarding both your time and theirs well.

Response: Lord, please help me recruit the right people for our fundraising team.Give me wisdom to recognize who is ready to serve and grace to release those who aren’t. Help me build a volunteer team who will cultivate an abundant harvest.

Blurred silhouettes of a group of people against a light background, with the text “Dear Anonymous” and “Isaiah 43:1” displayed on the right side.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

“Dear Anonymous”

by Ron Haas
March 31, 2026

“I have called you by name” (Isaiah 43:1)

The Creator of the universe knows each of us personally by name. This divine principle has profound implications for fundraising. When we follow God’s example by truly knowing and using people’s names, we’re doing more than just being polite, we’re reflecting God’s heart for personal relationship. We’re acknowledging that each donor is a unique individual with their own story, passions, and reasons for giving.

People Give to People
People don’t give money to causes; they give money to people they trust who happen to represent causes they care about. Treating someone anonymously says, “you’re just a number.” God doesn’t see us as nameless faces in the crowd but knows us individually, so we shouldn’t view our supporters as anonymous check-writers. There’s something deeply personal and powerful about being known, being seen, and being called by your actual name.

Be Specific
When you see your ministry partners at events, instead of generic greetings, try “Maria, thank you for being here tonight.” During phone calls, weave their name naturally throughout your conversation: “John, I remember you mentioning your concern about evangelism and discipleship.” Compare “Thanks to all our donors!” with “Shoutout to Sarah, Mike, and Jennifer for making yesterday’s alumni event possible!” One feels corporate; the other feels like a genuine celebration of real people.

Say Thank You
During donor meetings, use their name when highlighting specific points: “That’s exactly why I thought of you, David, when this opportunity came up.” In thank-you calls, connect their specific gift to outcomes: “Maria, your $500 helped us serve thirty families last month. It’s not manipulation. It’s recognition. It’s saying, “You matter to me more than your checkbook.” Just be careful not to overdo it like direct mail pieces that stuff your name into every other sentence. That feels manipulative and insincere.

Make Connections
Easter morning is perhaps the most incredible example of a name’s power. Mary Magdalene was distraught when she discovered Jesus’s tomb was empty. Two angels appeared asking why she was weeping. Through her tears, she said, “Someone has taken my Lord away, and I have no idea where they put him” (John 20:13).

She turned around and noticed a man nearby. Thinking he was just the gardener, she asked if he knew where they’d moved the body. Jesus could have preached a sermon about the resurrection, offered gentle comfort, or explained the theological significance of what had happened. Instead? He spoke just one word: “Mary.”

That’s all. Simply her name. But something about how he said it, with such familiar love and recognition made her immediately realize who it was. A single word, her own name spoken with intention, transformed her deepest despair into overwhelming joy. The worst day of her life became the most extraordinary moment she’d ever experienced.

Think About This: Dale Carnegie said, “A person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” Donors who feel personally known don’t just give once, they become invested partners in your mission because they experience the same thing Mary experienced at the tomb: the life-changing power of being truly seen and called by name.

Response: Father, thank You for remembering my name. Help me remember the names of our faithful ministry partners.

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