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Honeycomb pattern with bees on a light background and the text “Honest Fundraising” centered, conveying transparency, integrity, and trust in fundraising efforts.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Honest Fundraising

by Ron Haas
January 26, 2026

“Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative… Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it” (2 Corinthians 8:17, 24).

Have you ever avoided telling a donor you’re coming to ask for money when you set up a meeting? Paul didn’t beat around the bush. He told the Corinthians straight up Titus was coming to collect the money they had promised to give. Whether you’re setting up a meeting to ask for a donation or following up on a pledge, tell your donor exactly why you want to meet. Honesty gets great results:

Builds Respect and Trust
When you’re upfront about what you want, you’re treating people like smart adults who can make their own choices. Honesty becomes your strongest tool—one sneaky conversation can mess up relationships for years, but being straight with people builds trust that lasts. Be clear right from your first phone call: “I’d love to meet with you to share what we’re doing and see if you might want to help support us.”

Lets People Get Ready
When donors know why you’re coming, they can think of good questions, figure out what they might be able to give, and maybe bring their spouse or financial advisor into the conversation. This shows you respect their time and see them as partners, not just people with money. Being clear about what you want keeps the relationship strong no matter what they decide about giving.

Creates Real Partnership
Giving benefits the ministry and the donor. Think long-term friendship, not a one-time deal. You’re not just asking for money—you’re giving people a chance to be part of something eternal while helping them reach their giving goals. Focus on what’s important to them: what they care about, what interests them, and their desire to make a difference. This changes how you think about conversations from “I need something from you” to “I’ve got something exciting to share with you.”

Gets Rid of Stress and Works Better
Being honest makes fundraising way less stressful for everyone. You don’t have to worry about finding the “perfect moment” to bring up money. Donors like knowing what to expect, which means they don’t have their guard up and you can have more natural, helpful conversations. This honest approach often leads to bigger gifts because people feel respected and informed instead of tricked. People are more likely to say yes when they’ve had time to think about your request; even when they can’t give, they appreciate the approach.

Think About This: One fundraiser schedules meetings this way: “The best part of my job is meeting with people who care about what we’re doing. I’d love to share the exciting things God is doing through our work and ask if you’d like to join us through prayer and giving. When would be a good time to get together?” This honest, excited approach sets the right tone from the beginning.

Response: Father, help me always be honest when I talk to people about our work. Give me wisdom as I invite people to pray and give generously.

A gold background with a diagonal metallic stripe featuring the text “Golden Rule Fundraising” and “Matthew 7:12” written in a glowing white script font.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Golden Rule Fundraising

by Ron Haas
October 28, 2025

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

The Golden Rule teaches us to actively treat others the way we ourselves would like to be treated. This principle applies directly to fundraising. You want to be treated with kindness and respect, so do your donors. You appreciate good communication, so will your donors. There’s another unspoken golden rule in fundraising—”He who has the gold makes the rules!” Each major donor has individual giving interests and should be approached in a personal way. However, there are some basic principles that apply to every donor. A foundation director shared these four secrets to a successful grant.

Define the problem.
What problem are you trying to solve? Donors want to make an eternal difference, but they must first understand the need. Are you raising money to help an underprivileged child receive a Christian education? Are you helping a family rise from poverty? Are you facing a budget shortfall that will severely impact your programs? Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, the former lead engineer at Lockheed Skunk Works responsible for the SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, coined the phrase “keep it simple, stupid.” Your job is to communicate a complex problem in a way your donors can grasp.

Share your solution.
Your problem needs to be solvable. Donors respond when you present a problem that can be solved today. Reaching the remaining five billion unreached people is an incredible vision but a complex problem. A donor will see their gift as just a drop in the bucket that won’t make a meaningful difference. If you frame your solution in small achievable steps, their gift becomes relevant. Both your problem and your solution must be easy to understand.

Show data to prove your plan works.
Great storytelling creates donor empathy, but storytelling is not enough, you must share relevant data to support your plan. Foundations are particularly interested in outcomes. Like your high school algebra teacher, they want you to “prove your work.” A major donor responded to a feasibility study by saying, “I don’t know what you accomplished with my last gift.” He was not interested in the new facility but wanted to know how many lives were impacted by the programs because of the new facility.

Ask for a specific gift.
Your donors don’t know as much about the problem as you do because you’ve been studying it for years. Don’t make the mistake of saying, “How much would you like to give to solve this problem?” A foundation board chair shared, “You are the expert, not me. Don’t make me guess what my gift should be to help solve your problem. We may or may not give that amount, but we want a number.” Asking for a specific gift is a kindness because it lets your donor know what level of support they should consider.

Think About This: Ask yourself how you would like to be asked and apply those standards to your fundraising. Share the problem, your solution, the supporting data, and a specific gift amount.

Response: Father, please show me how to improve my storytelling with compelling data that will inspire generosity in my ministry partners.

A person’s hand giving a thumbs-down gesture in front of a dark chalkboard background with large white text that reads “When Your Donor Says No” and a smaller Bible reference “Luke 14:16–18.”
Fundraising Verse of the Week

When Your Donor Says No

by Ron Haas
October 6, 2025

Jesus replied: A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, “Come, for everything is now ready.” But they all alike began to make excuses (Luke 14:16-18).

Stanley Weinstein opined, “Successful fundraising is the right person asking the right prospect for the right amount for the right project at the right time in the right way.” When donors reject your invitation to partner with you, something is off in the fundraising equation. You need to discover the underlying reasons. Consider these giving variables:

Wrong Asker
The number one reason people give is because of who asks. Assign the right person to solicit your prospect. Choose someone your prospect is comfortable with and will have the greatest likelihood for success. Be humble and realize that you might not be the best choice.

Wrong Prospect
Some nonprofit organizations have broad donor appeal because they serve a wide constituency. Ask yourself why would someone consider giving to your ministry? Your prospective donor must have some connection—the closer the better. However, any solicitation is a nonstarter if your mission doesn’t align with your prospective donor’s values.

Wrong Project
Everyone has giving motivations and interests. Some love education. Some have compassion to care for the poor and needy. Some only give to international missions. Donors reject our proposals because we haven’t listened. Gifts grow in size and frequency when you align with your donors’ hearts.

Wrong Time
A donor might support your mission and your specific project, but still not give because of timing issues. Be flexible and offer giving options. Could they give a small gift now to show their support for the project, and give the balance of their pledge later?

Wrong Amount
A large request should never be a surprise. Active listening will help you identify the right gift range. There is no exact science for determining what to ask. What has your donor given in the past? If you are asking for an annual gift, you can ask 2 to 10 times over their previous gift. If you are asking for a capital campaign commitment, you can stretch them 10 to 25 times their annual gift.

Wrong Way
A major donor shared that in the past few years she has been getting phone calls, letters, and personal visits from ministry directors and development staff who literally demand that she give a gift to their organization. They don’t ask, “Would you consider a gift of $50,000?” or “Would you pray about giving a gift of $100,000?” Their actual words are, “You must give a gift of $250,000 to this project.” That’s not biblical boldness; it’s just plain rude.

Think About This: The man in the parable of the banquet wasn’t deterred by those who rejected his invitation. Instead, he instructed his servant to, “Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full” (Luke 14:23). When your prospects say no, keep asking until others say yes!

Response: Father, forgive me for being discouraged when donors reject my ask. Help me discern what went wrong so I can hear a “yes!”

White lettered dice spelling 'YES OR NO' on a bright surface with the text 'Farewell to Fickle Fundraising' and '2 Corinthians 1:15-17' above.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Farewell to Fickle Fundraising

by Ron Haas
September 8, 2025

I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”? (2 Corinthians 1:15-17).

Have you ever been misunderstood? Paul planned to visit Corinth on his way to Macedonia and return to Corinth before traveling to Jerusalem (see 1 Cor. 16:5-9), but his plans changed. The Corinthians were upset Paul didn’t show up and accused him of being fickle. The Cambridge English Dictionary defines fickle as “likely to change your opinion or your feelings suddenly and without a good reason.” Donors can also become disgruntled with us when they perceive we say one thing and do another. Consider these principles to avoid sending mixed messages.

Tell Them What You’re Going to Tell Them.
Paul asked the Corinthians to “send me on my way to Judea.” Earlier, Paul had asked all the churches in Macedonia and Achaia to take up a collection for the believers in Judea (1 Cor. 16:1-4). On this trip he was planning to receive their gifts and take them to Jerusalem. If you intend to ask a donor for a gift, let them know why you are coming. Be forthright and say something like, “I would love to tell you about our project and share a proposal of how you could partner with us financially.”

Tell Them.
The essence of fundraising is asking. Cultivation is a key part of the donor experience, but all your relationship-building efforts must lead to solicitation. If you want them to pray, ask for prayer. If you want their time, ask them to volunteer. If you want a gift, ask for a specific amount. If you are unsure of what amount to ask, ask if they would consider a gift in the range of $10,000, or $100,000, etc. Another strategy is to show them your gift chart and ask, “Would you prayerfully consider making a leadership gift?” You could also ask an open-ended question like, “Where do you see yourself fitting into our campaign?”

Tell Them What You Told Them.
Your donors should know exactly what you asked them to consider. When you suggest a number, you both know what you asked. Your ask might be too high or low, but stating a specific amount starts the conversation. A camp director asked a donor for a $75,000 gift for a capital campaign. The donor responded, “That’s more than I was thinking, but I like what you did. I will remember that number and ask my friends to help me raise that amount.”

Think About This: Paul was not fickle. He said what he meant and meant what he said. Just as we must speak with integrity, we want our donors to give us a clear “Yes or No.” Ask boldly and let God prompt them to give generously.

Response: Lord, help me ask clearly so my donors know exactly how they can partner with us to advance your kingdom.

A man in a suit pointing directly at the camera with a serious expression, set against a soft beige background; bold text on the right reads “SAY YOU, NOT ME! 2 Thessalonians 1:11.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Say You, Not Me!

by Ron Haas
August 6, 2025

“We constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

Thessalonica was a short, but productive stop on Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-8). The unbelieving Jews were so jealous of the gospel’s success, they ran Paul and Silas out of town. Though he left abruptly, he kept thinking about and praying for these friends and sent Timothy back to check on them (1 Thess. 3:1-2). We can learn much about our donor relationships from Paul’s relationship with the Thessalonians.

Donor-Focused
We can hear Paul’s heart for these believers in the language he used. In 2 Thessalonians 1, he emphasized “you” and “your” seventeen times to express his love. He thanked God for them (vs. 3), boasted about their faith (vs. 4), gave them hope in God’s justice (vs. 5-10), and “constantly prayed for them” (vs. 11). Paul’s writing style should prompt us to incorporate more “you” phrases in our writing and conversations. Consider these phrases, “Your help is needed now more than ever,” or “You can fan the flames of revival,” or “We know you want to make a difference,” or “Your gift will last beyond your lifetime.” As you design marketing materials, focus on your donor—not you.

God-Focused
The Thessalonian believers were suffering under great persecution. Twice Paul asked God to make them “worthy of his calling” (vs. 5, 11). What an incredible encouragement it must have been to know that the Apostle Paul was constantly praying for them. Your donors are also experiencing trials of many kinds and you have the privilege of praying for them. Point them to the cross. Pray that God will bring relief and glorify himself (vs. 6, 12).

Donor Success
Paul prayed for God’s favor for his friends. Your donors desire to be good stewards of the resources God has given them. Paul prayed that their every good desire and every deed prompted by faith would become a reality. Know your donors well enough so you can pray effectively for their concerns. Pray for their businesses to thrive, their investments to yield amazing returns, and God’s blessing for a bountiful harvest. As they succeed, they will have more capacity to be generous.

Your Success
When Paul collected money for the poor in Jerusalem, he was reluctant to ask the Thessalonians because they were experiencing extreme persecution and poverty (2 Cor. 8:2). They surprised him and insisted that he receive their gifts so they could join him in serving others (2 Cor. 8:1-4). Generosity is not connected to a person’s net worth, but their heart. Cheerful givers want to make an eternal difference with their gifts (2 Cor. 9:7).

Think About This: Henry Blackaby wrote in Experiencing God, “Find out where God is at work and join him there.” When your donors see God working in your ministry, they will want to join you. Invite them to give, even if they are going through tough times.

Response: Lord, please teach me how to use more “you” language in our materials. May our donors experience the joy of giving through our ministry.

A large yellow excavator sits atop a heap of dirt and gravel under a clear sky. The text on the image reads 'What About the Heaps? – 2 Chronicles 31:9-10' in bold, brown letters.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

What About the Heaps?

by Ron Haas
July 9, 2025

Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites about the heaps; and Azariah the chief priest, from the family of Zadok, answered, “Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because ” (2 Chronicles 31:9-10).

If you live in Corn Country, you will see an interesting sight during harvest. When local grain elevators max out their capacity, they store the grain in outdoor piles. These corn mountains can soar more than 60 feet high and cover a football field. Israel experienced a revival under King Hezekiah and God blessed the land with abundant harvests. Yet, the priests and Levites didn’t have enough to eat. When Hezekiah discovered this, he sent word to all Jerusalem and Judea. The people responded so generously with their grain, new wine, olive oil, honey, and all their crops, the priests had to pile their gifts in heaps. Heaps don’t just happen but are a result of four factors.

Obedience
Hezekiah was a change agent who purified the Temple (2 Chron. 29), reestablished Passover (2 Chron. 30), and destroyed all the idols throughout Judah (2 Chron. 31). The people knew Hezekiah was making good choices. People don’t give in a vacuum. Poor ministry and business decisions usually negatively impact giving. Thankfully, the opposite is also true. When donors see that you are making good decisions and an eternal difference, they are much more likely to partner with you.

Leadership
For years the Temple worship had languished. Hezekiah cleaned up the mess and appointed leaders to faithfully serve. Your donors know when you are running a shoddy operation, and they know when all the trains are running on time. Hezekiah also showed leadership by his generosity. “The king contributed from his own possessions” (2 Chron 31:3). Others are motivated to give when leaders lead by their generous giving.

Asking
Hezekiah commanded the people to give the portion due to the priests and Levites (2 Chron. 31:4). Should you command your donors to give? Paul taught Timothy to, “Command those who are rich…to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (1 Tim. 6:17-18). Giving shouldn’t be out of compulsion (see 2 Cor. 9:7). Don’t demand, but you should be direct. Share your needs, ask for a gift, and give your donors an opportunity to respond.

God’s Blessing
The priests noted, “the Lord has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over” (2 Chron. 31:10).  God blesses your donors so they can bless ministries like yours. “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8). Pray for God’s abundant blessing on your donors so that they can “be generous on every occasion” (2 Cor. 9:11).

Think About This: The main reason we don’t experience “heaps” is because we don’t ask for them.

Response: Father, please “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).

A series of white human figures standing on progressively taller rectangular pedestals, set against a vibrant orange background, with the words 'Develop a Persuasive Case – 1 Corinthians 2:4' on the left side of the image.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Develop a Persuasive Case

by Ron Haas
June 6, 2025

“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:4).

Have you ever agonized over finding just the right words, phrases, or tag line for your fundraising materials? A case for support is your major donor tool to express your need and how your donors can help meet that need. We wordsmith every sentence to be as compelling as possible hoping to unlock our donors’ hearts and minds. You need a case statement for all your fundraising campaigns like the annual appeal, major gift campaigns, capital, and endowment campaigns. Fresh graphic design, great photos, infographics, and clean typefaces are all important, but your case statement must answer six key questions:

What is the need?
Needs come in all shapes and sizes. What specific need are you trying to solve? If you need a building, focus on what will happen inside the building. Sometimes we try to solve all our problems in one campaign, but it can be overwhelming to donors. Make the need manageable so that donors feel they can make a difference.

Is this need urgent?
Urgency is a key decision-making factor. Some causes are inherently urgent—providing clean water, feeding widows and orphans, and evangelizing the lost. If your need doesn’t seem urgent to you, it won’t seem urgent to your donors. Find ways to express your compelling arguments in simple terms.

How will your ministry meet this need?
We love talking about ourselves. Sometimes, we communicate that we have all the answers and donors just help us accomplish our goals. Write less about your organization and focus more on those you serve and how your donors are ministry partners in providing the solution.

Whom will be impacted?
Your case for support is not just a laundry list of projects you hope to accomplish. Effective case statements share facts and evidence but must tug at the heart. Donors make giving decisions with their minds and hearts. Stories are the most effective way to communicate whom your fundraising campaign will help.

What will happen if you fail?
Whom won’t be helped if you are unable to raise these funds? What key programs will be limited? What opportunities will be missed if your donors don’t participate? We like to think failure is not an option, but if your supporters don’t give sacrificially, failure is a possibility.

How can your donor get involved?
Use donor-centric phrases to call your donors to action, such as: “This significant project will only happen because of your generous support,” or “A better future is possible for our students, because of you,” or “Your gift will provide even more meaningful experiences to our current and future students.”

Think About This: You can say all the right fundraising words to persuade your donors and still not motivate them to give. Paul didn’t rely on wise and persuasive words, instead he relied on the Spirit’s power. The greatest case for support you could ever make is to share stories of how the Spirit is working through your ministry to change lives for eternity.

Response: Father, please accomplish your will through our ministry. May the Spirit demonstrate his power in our lives and those we serve.

A male and female lion resting together on dry grass in a woodland setting, with the words 'Asking King and Queen – Nehemiah 2:6' displayed on the right side of the image.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Asking King and Queen

by Ron Haas
June 4, 2025

Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time (Nehemiah 2:6).

Nehemiah heard of Jerusalem’s desperate situation; the city walls had been destroyed and the people were living in constant danger (Neh. 1:1-3). He wept, prayed, and planned for four months about how to solve this problem. One day as he was serving as cupbearer, the king noticed Nehemiah’s sadness and asked what was wrong. This was Nehemiah’s major donor moment—he shared his burden and asked the king for (a) passports, (b) royal timber, and (c) time off. This verse adds an interesting dynamic, the queen was sitting beside the king and heard every word. The fundraising application is clear: as often as possible, you should include husband and wife when you ask for a gift.

Emotional
Generally, women tend to be more emotionally expressive than men. That’s important to remember because what your ministry does to serve people should have an emotional element. Nehemiah himself was moved to tears for the people living in Jerusalem (Neh. 1:4). He was motivated to act because of the critical needs of hurting people. Include both husband and wife as you share your stories of changed lives. Men might make an intellectual giving decision; women are more concerned with issues of the heart.

Relational
It’s interesting that the queen is mentioned in the context of the king’s question, “How long will it take and when are you coming back?” It seems that the king and queen liked having Nehemiah around and were going to miss him when he was gone. The cupbearer wasn’t just an ordinary slave, he was the king’s confidant. As official taste-tester, he had sipped multiple glasses of wine to ensure that the king and queen were not poisoned. In your donor development work, make personal friends with both the husband and wife.

Intuition
One great reason for meeting with husband and wife is to tap into a woman’s intuition. Women possess a knack for knowing what others are feeling and thinking. Jon Voight observes, “There’s something real in women’s intuition. It’s an accurate signpost for decision making, but it usually bumps up against man’s logic. So, we have to put ego aside and listen to them.” Include wives in your solicitation conversations, perhaps one will share some insights that will improve your project.

Life Span
Actuarial tables calculate the average life expectancy for women is 79 years and 72 years for men. Perhaps you’ve seen a funny meme of why women live longer than men that usually includes electricity, water, ladders, and other risky, non-OSHA approved activities. You should cultivate wives as major donors, because statistically they will be making giving decisions years after their husbands have passed on to Glory.

Think About This: An administrator pitched a husband and wife on a clock tower project. The husband’s first reaction was, “I don’t think we are interested in this.” His wife responded, “I think it’s a great idea!” To which the husband continued, “I think we’re interested in this.”

Response: Lord, please give me insight to include husbands and wives in our giving opportunities.

Wooden gate surrounded by lush greenery and blooming white flowers, with the words “Getting Past the Gatekeeper” and 2 Chronicles 23:19 written in white text.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Getting Past the Gatekeeper

by Ron Haas
May 20, 2025

“He also stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the Lord’s temple so that no one who was in any way unclean might enter” (2 Chronicles 23:19).

Gatekeepers have one job—to keep out unwanted visitors. Perhaps you have encountered a major donor gatekeeper in the form of a financial planner, attorney, family member, or personal assistant. How do you get around the gatekeeper to connect with your donors? Gatekeepers process boxes of correspondence for major donors and must determine what is important and unimportant. Just imagine sorting through ten times the mail you receive daily. One ministry leader was surprised to learn that his notes weren’t getting to his major donor friends and then discovered the gatekeeper’s unwritten rules about whether he would pitch the correspondence or pass it on to the donor. Here is one gatekeeper’s pitch/pass list:

Thank you note on the receipt. Pitch It!
A common practice for ministry leaders is to write a personal thank you to the donor on the gift receipt. It’s a nice gesture that probably gets noticed by 95% of your donors. However, a note on a receipt is still a receipt, not an official thank you note.

Any mention of a future project. Pitch It!
It’s tempting to tease a new project while you thank your donor for their gift to your current project. But if you focus on the next big thing, are you expressing gratefulness for the gifts that got you this far? Effective thank you notes must be genuine. Don’t just check the box saying that you thanked your donor.

Handwritten thank you note that mentions a future gift. Pitch it!
Congratulations for sending a handwritten note! Handwritten notes are rare. Don’t dilute your thank you by asking your ministry partner to consider a future gift. Your thank you note should focus on your donor not you.

Printed thank you note. Pitch It!
Some fundraisers have lousy handwriting and use a computer to print a note. Printed notes feel impersonal because they are. The only exception is if your donor knows that you have a health condition that makes handwriting difficult for you.

Personal, handwritten, stand-alone thank you note. Pass to the donor!
Here’s what passes this gatekeeper’s scrutiny: a handwritten thank you note that’s just a thank you note. Period. Mike was having difficulty connecting with a major donor. The donor had given but never responded to Mike’s phone calls or emails. Mike decided to be proactive and personally deliver his handwritten thank you note. He was interrogated at the front entrance, but the gatekeeper called the donor and said, “Mike, from ABC Ministries is here with a thank you note. Should I send him up?” The answer came back, “Sure.” The major donor was glad to see him and invited him in.

Think About This: Jesus taught about the relationship between the shepherd, his sheep, and the gatekeeper. “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (John 10:3). When you have a personal relationship with your donor, the gatekeeper will open the door wide.

Response: Father, please open the gate and help me connect with my major donors.

A modern, minimalist desk setup with a potted plant, books, a coffee mug, and office supplies neatly arranged. At the center is an open laptop displaying the words "1 Peter 3:15". Above the desk, large text on the wall reads "Donor Preparedness".
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Donor Preparedness

by Ron Haas
May 13, 2025

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

If you live in tornado country, you are used to the monthly siren test of the emergency alert system. This one-minute signal encourages everyone to stay aware and respond accordingly if an actual emergency occurs. Occasionally, a major donor will surprise you with, “What are your plans and how can I help?” Will you be prepared with an answer, or will you be caught off guard? Peter gives us five thoughts to consider.

In your hearts revere Christ as Lord
Your organization’s plans should not just be what your ministry leader, board, or key donors want to do. Instead, your strategic plan should emerge from a prayerful consideration of what you believe the Lord wants you to accomplish. Solomon reminds us, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1). Compare how much time you spend planning with how much time you spend praying.

Always be prepared to give an answer
Your strategic plan should outline your vision for the future and the resources it will take to turn your dreams into reality. Define the gray boxes on your master site plan by focusing on programming. Renowned architect Louis H. Sullivan, coined the phrase “form follows function.” Programs should drive your building needs. Your next new building won’t inspire donors, but what happens in the building to impact lives.

To everyone who asks
Sometimes leaders don’t like to face hard questions, so they avoid them. It’s easier to push ahead with your plan than to pause and consider other options. Don’t see questioners as your enemies, but your friends. People ask questions because they care. You may question their motives, but their questions will force you to clarify your arguments and strengthen your case.

Give the reason for the hope that you have
Your strategic plan must address your “Why.” Simon Sinek in his book, Start with Why encourages leaders to first communicate their Why—motivations and purpose. Then focus on How—the specific actions to realize the Why, and finally turn to What—the results which prove your Why. Don’t tell your donor what you want to build, but why this new facility will support and fulfill your mission.

Do this with gentleness and respect
Some leaders announce their plan as written in stone brought down from the mountain with no opportunity for feedback. Peter gives us important advice about the way we share our story. Perhaps your major donor has a better idea and is willing to fund a different direction. Approach that person with an open heart.

Think About This: One Christian school asked a major donor to support their remodeling plans. He declined to give anything toward the existing facility, but was interested in a major gift toward a new building on a new campus. His lead gift launched their campaign and rallied other key donors to partner with him.

Response: Lord, help me hold my plans loosely and listen to my major donors to hear their passion for our ministry.

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