Pastor Paul Sheppard of Destiny Christian Fellowship in Northern California. preached a sermon titled “In Need of a Super-Sized Blessing” Listen to this encouraging clip and apply it to your fundraising efforts.
Pastor Paul Sheppard of Destiny Christian Fellowship in Northern California. preached a sermon titled “In Need of a Super-Sized Blessing” Listen to this encouraging clip and apply it to your fundraising efforts.
The last few days of December are here. It’s not too late to reach out to your key ministry partners and ask for a year-end gift! What last minute things can you do to encourage your donors to give?
Watch Pat McLaughlin as he makes his list and checks it twice in “Twelve Days of December”
https://youtu.be/5L6RLCkrIbE
Your 2021 fundraising marathon is almost over. There are many strategies you could implement in these last few weeks but what are the best strategies that will make the greatest impact? Just like a long-distance runner, you need to end with a finishing kick!
Here are some tools talked about in the Webinar!
Sprint to the Finish! (PDF)
Slides from the Webinar (PDF)
Watch Dr. Jules Glanzer and Ron Haas as they talk about “Sprint to the Finish! Ending Your Year-End with a Kick!”
https://youtu.be/zaEKJNmWe4U
Download our Dirty Dozen Document!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqI0y3t7mnc
Do you get tongue-tied when talking with major donors? Pat’s been having major donor conversations for years and has several tips on what to say and how to say it.
Here are some tools talked about in the Webinar!
DCPI Leadership Proposal (PDF)
DCPI Ask Sheet (PDF)
Successful Major Donor Conversations (PDF)
Watch Pat McLaughlin as he talks about “Major Donor Conversation Starters and Closes”
https://youtu.be/W44XKG8wuiA
The Timothy Group has assisted the Iowa Regular Baptist Camp (IRBC) with a pre-campaign study and capital campaign consulting as they trust God for $3,300,000 to build The ROCK, a gymnasium/classroom facility. The quiet phase of the campaign began in August 2019. Immediately, God showed up with several divine appointments which brought some amazing gifts, but then COVID-19 hit. Camp Director Phil Betz, his team, and board of directors faced several tough decisions. Should they pause the campaign? Will people continue to give? Is it possible to start construction before winter? When should they schedule the ground-breaking? There were no easy answers, but they decided to move forward by faith.
Even in the middle of COVID-19, The ROCK campaign raised $2,700,000 through gifts of all sizes, including an incredible $100,000 gift from a church which reduced their remaining need to $600,000. Phil has kept the camp constituency updated on the construction and campaign progress through livestream videos. In his December video he commented, “Wouldn’t it be cool to see the need reduced to $500,000 by the end of the year? Let’s pray about that together.”
On January 4th, as Phil prepped for his next video update, the campaign still needed $575,000 but he was grateful for all the progress they had made. Five minutes later, his administrative assistant handed him a check for $100,000 – dated December 24th, an incredible answer to prayer!
A few weeks earlier, one of the camp’s interns was planning to visit her sister who had a work relationship with a major donor. Phil asked if it would be okay to mention The ROCK and their remaining need. In God’s divine providence, when the sister met the donor, the donor asked if she knew of any organizations that could use help. She shared The ROCK story but had no idea that the donor would respond so generously. This donor has never been to the camp and has never met Phil!
God provides in miraculous ways! The IRBC experience teaches us many lessons: (1) When you’re not sure what next step to take, pray and keep walking by faith. (2) Regularly update your constituency with videos to keep them excited. (3) Network through every relationship you have. You never know who can lead you to your next gift. (4) Be Bold and Ask! Don’t talk yourself out of asking by thinking, “That donor would never give to us.” Let the donor decide. (5) Trust God to provide. It’s his work!
UPDATE: The Iowa Regular Baptist Camp reached their $3.3 million goal to build “The Rock,” a gym/classroom facility that will enhance their summer camping programs and winter retreats. That’s the good news, the bad news is because of rising construction costs they need an additional $200,000 to finish the project. Camp Director, Phil Betz, filmed an update video for his key donors sharing what God accomplished in hearts this summer, their building progress, and the remaining need. He added a personalized “thank you” for his top donors. Take a moment to watch this example of how to update, thank, and ask!
https://youtu.be/v9ZS4M5hYzc
Abou
t the Author: Ron Haas, Vice President of The Timothy Group, has also 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.
Jonathan Helder joins Timothy Group as our newest consultant. Jon is a numbers guy who understands fundraising metrics. You need a detailed analysis to make an actionable plan to improve your fundraising efforts. Luckily, you can achieve a thorough analysis with key data points from either your CRM or accounting software. Watch this lively conversation with Ron and Jon about this important topic!
Here are some tools talked about in the Webinar!
Turning Data into Donors 8.25 (PowerPoint Presentation)
Timothy Group Fundraising Metrics Tool (Excel Sheets)
Watch Ron Haas and Jonathan Helder as they talk about “Turning Data into Donors”
https://youtu.be/OfwthvVKFbs
Last month, we explored the importance of a strong monthly giving program for your non-profit organization. We compared it to planting seeds. Just like any crop, it will not grow until it is planted, and it will not be planted unless you get started.
For purposes of review, we defined monthly giving this way: “A program that cultivates an ongoing, committed giving relationship between a donor and your organization. Monthly donors are those donors in your database who have agreed to support your organization with a determined amount each month.” They are also called systematic donors or “sustaining” gifts.
Last month we focused on “WHY.” This month, we will focus on “HOW.” What are some best practices you can implement in establishing a monthly giving program? What are the critical steps for success?
Seek buy-in from leadership.
To succeed, we must first believe we can. Make sure your CEO or Board understands the ins and outs. Set a budget for your giving program. Like any fundraising strategy, it will take money to raise money. Remember, you are “planting.” The harvest will come later. Monthly giving is all about long-term dollars.
Target who you hope to reach.
Your monthly donor program will not appeal to all your donors. Take your major donors off the list. They should continue to receive personal cultivation but are unlikely to donate on a monthly timeline. Donors who are on a fixed income are excellent prospects, as are millennials who are showing a lot of interest in systematic giving.
Give your program a name.
People like to belong to something. Donors are no different. Assign your giving program a name: Champion’s Club, Circle of Friends, Legacy Society, Faith Partners, or some other catchy name that ties in with your brand or mission. Pat Robertson’s “700 Club” started in 1960 and still airs on cable TV. Here is what you may not know. In 1962, the station suffered financially and almost closed. To keep the station on the air, they set a goal of signing up 700 members each contributing $10 a month, which was enough to support their operating budget. Robertson referred to these “members” as the “700 Club” and the name stuck. (By the way, the $10 gift from 1962 would equal close to $80 in today’s economy.)
Send a welcome packet.
When a donor signs on to give monthly, acknowledge it. Say thank you and “welcome to the club.” An automated response is best, if not, a thank you post card works great. Mail a welcome packet especially designed for them. Use plenty of pictures. Make it warm and fuzzy. If there is a small gift or premium involved, send it to them in the first month after they join.
Include in regular appeals.
When you send out your regular appeals, make mention of your monthly giving program. Stress the ease and convenience of giving in this manner. Show the benefits, to both them and your organization. Once a year, you may even consider a phone campaign to recruit and sign-up monthly donors.
Show what the monthly gift provides!
Donors want to know their giving is making a difference. What does their $50 gift accomplish each moth? What does their $100 gift “buy” for the organization. A good example is a missions organization that distributes solar powered audio bibles to unreached people groups. As a Champion Club member, the $50 will purchase and distribute one Bible each month. Donors know that their gifts are making a difference.
Now is the time to grow, enhance, or start your monthly giving program. There are plenty of resources available help you. The Timothy Group can help guide you with some practical steps to design an effective program.
About the Author: Kent Vanderwood, Vice 
President – Kent offers clients over 35 years of non-profit experience including teaching, administrative, consulting, and directorships. Through his work as Development Director for The Potter’s House, Gospel Communications International, and Mel Trotter Ministries, Kent brings a wealth of experience in fundraising and development. He currently serves as a board member for the West Michigan chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). His passion for seeing Christian stewardship principles applied in a systematic way helps the non-profit organization or ministry be successful in fulfilling its mission.
Recently, a Christian nonprofit received a cancelation notice from Salsa, their CRM software provider. Salsa is a cloud-based constituent relationship management platform with more than 3,000 clients. Salsa receives top reviews because of its innovative features to track relationships including marketing automation that sends triggered emails based on a donor’s behavior or activity.
In 2021, Salsa was purchased by EveryAction which is a Salesforce-like platform for liberal campaigns and causes. EveryAction also owns Mobilize and NGP VAN, software programs that help organize, recruit and manage volunteers for the Democratic Party. These companies take a very progressive political stance and refuse to work with nonprofits that don’t agree with them: “Those of you who chose to work at a nonprofit care about living your values; so do we. For nearly two decades, our double bottom line company has declined to work with organizations that oppose racial justice, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, or deny climate change.”
EveryAction is very clear about their political positions. Their company profile statement for job openings includes, “EveryAction is a technology company whose team members do exciting and important work that has a significant impact on promoting civil rights, social justice, and environmental responsibility. EveryAction believes a diverse, inclusive staff makes us a stronger company and better partner for our clients. Women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and members of other minority or marginalized groups are encouraged to apply.”
You should be aware of Salsa/EveryAction’s underlying philosophy so you can make an informed decision about your CRM partner.
Johnny Cash’s “I’ve Been Everywhere” should be the theme song for every major gift officer who covers a territory. Dan Dark is a ministry representative who is responsible to cultivate donor relationships in sixteen states from North Dakota to Texas and Colorado to Kentucky. Dan hasn’t visited all 93 cities in Johnny Cash’s hit, but he’s close.
Traveling is hard work, but the ministry partners you meet make it all worthwhile. Loving on donors is the greatest aspect of fundraising. Join Ron and Dan as they share some incredible stories of great relationships and great gifts God has provided. Hear why cultivating genuine relationships is your key to fundraising success.
Join Ron Haas and Dan Dark as they talk about “Great Donor Stories from the Road”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa3buCbFKy8
