“I will answer him and care for him… your fruitfulness comes from me.” Hosea 14:8
How successful was your year-end giving campaign? One statistic says, “Approximately 31% of all annual giving occurs in December and approximately 12% of all annual giving occurs in the last three days of December. 28% of nonprofits raise between 26 – 50% of their annual funds from their year-end ask.” Many ministries kicked off their year-end push with Giving Tuesday, followed by a Thanksgiving or Christmas card, possibly an email campaign or social media blitz, a year-end appeal letter, and lots and lots of phone calls and personal visits.
You might have taken a well-deserved break for a minute or two, but your work isn’t done. Now its receipt and “thank you” writing season as you follow up with your generous donors. While your thoughts are still fresh, evaluate what worked and what didn’t and adjust for next year. Soon your calendar shifts to your busy spring season as you write board reports, finalize donor event details, and schedule major donor visits. To adapt an old adage, “Everyone else in your ministry works from sun to sun, but a fundraisers work is never done.”
This is why Hosea 14:8 is so meaningful. You can work hard. You can even work smart, but you won’t accomplish what God wants you to accomplish without his power. You know that and you and your team prayed fervently for all your year-end strategies. Take comfort that the Lord promises to answer and care for you. Remember, any lasting fruit comes from him. Fervent prayer is the key to your fundraising success. Consider amping up your fundraising prayer effort for 2020. Start today by praying for each donor who contributed to your year-end campaign.
God bless,
Ron
