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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 gold trophy on a wooden surface against an orange background, with the text “Run for the Fundraising Prize” and “1 Corinthians 9:24” displayed beside it.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Run for the Fundraising Prize

by Ron Haas
March 18, 2026

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is a perfect picture of what Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. With three Olympic golds and six world records in the 400-meter hurdles, she’s one of the most celebrated track stars in American history. But here’s what makes her story relevant to fundraisers: “You work all year to get here, but what you’ve done is what keeps you here. So it’s just about executing that, trusting the process, trusting the plan, and ultimately, trusting God.”1 That’s fundraising in a nutshell.

Executing the Work
Paul writes that “everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training” (1 Cor. 9:25). Sydney doesn’t just show up on race day hoping for the best. She trains every single day, year after year. The same is true in fundraising. Everyone wants the big gift, but few are willing to put in the hard work of building relationships with donors over time. There are no shortcuts to genuine cultivation. It takes discipline, consistency, and plain old hard work.

Trusting the Process
Paul continues, “I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air” (1 Cor. 9:26). Fundraising isn’t random—it has a clear process: identification, cultivation, and solicitation. You can’t skip steps. You can’t identify a donor on Monday and ask for a major gift on Tuesday. Just like an athlete can’t skip training and expect to medal, you can’t rush the relationship-building process and expect donors to give generously. Each step matters and builds on the one before it.

Trusting the Plan
Consistency is everything. Day in and day out, you need to be sharing your organization’s story, connecting with donors, and keeping your mission front and center. One good conversation isn’t enough. One compelling newsletter isn’t enough. It’s the steady, faithful work over months and years that builds a sustainable fundraising program.

Trusting God
Here’s the truth that keeps us humble: fundraising is about asking the right person for the right amount at the right time in the right way. You can do everything correctly—execute flawlessly, follow the process perfectly, stick to your plan faithfully—but ultimately, God is the one who prompts donors to give generously. We work hard, but we trust God for the results.

Think About This: Athletes compete “to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Cor. 9:25). The gifts you ask your donors for solve problems right now and lay up treasures in heaven.

Response: Lord, give me the discipline, consistency, and hard work to run the fundraising race to win the prize for your glory.

1Mercer, K. (2024, August 8). Christ-follower Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone claims another Olympic gold, world record. Sports Spectrum. https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/olympics/2024/08/08/christ-sydney-mclaughlin-levrone-gold-record/

Close-up of two people wearing sandals walking on a dry, dusty path with the title Shake the Dust Off Your Feet displayed at the bottom.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Shake the Dust Off Your Feet

by Ron Haas
December 1, 2025

“If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet” (Matt. 10:14).

Jesus commissioned the Twelve as the first missionaries to proclaim the message of the Kingdom to the lost sheep of Israel. Their assignment was to “heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons” (Matt. 10:8). We don’t have the apostolic power to physically raise the dead, but your ministry is changing lives for eternity because the power of the Gospel breaks chains setting people free from their sin. We can learn four important fundraising principles from Jesus’ instructions to his disciples as we identify, cultivate, and solicit donors to partner with us.

Search
How were his disciples supposed to find these generous patrons? Jesus commanded his disciples not to take any money with them for their journey but to seek out “some worthy person” in whatever town or village they entered. They were learning to trust God to meet their every need. God provides through his people because “the worker is worth his keep” (Matt. 10:10). Jesus told them not to go to the Gentiles or to the Samaritans. As you search for major donors, focus first on people of faith whose worldview aligns with yours.

Stay
When the disciples found a worthy person, they were to stay in their house until they left the town (see Matt. 10:11). Some fundraisers apply this literally and stay with their major donors. When your donor offers hospitality, it’s a wonderful relationship-building opportunity. The fundraising principle is this: the best way to cultivate major donors is face to face in their homes. It takes time to build trust and develop lasting friendships.

Share
The disciples preached the redemption message to everyone who would listen. As they entered their host’s home, they shared a greeting and peace (see Matt. 10:11-12). Jesus had taught them many things, so they had many lessons to share and many stories of the wonderful works he had done. “Freely as you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8). You have many transformational stories to share with your prospective donors. Tell them of the all the wonderful things God is doing in the lives of those you are serving.

Shake
If someone wouldn’t welcome a disciple or listen to their words, Jesus instructed them to “leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet” (Matt. 10:14). We hate to give up on a donor, but if they haven’t responded after you’ve made repeated efforts to share your story, perhaps it’s time to move them to the inactive file and focus on those who are interested. It’s not your job to convince someone to give to your ministry, it’s only your job to share the message and ask for a gift. The Holy Spirit will prompt those he wants to supply your needs.

Think About This: Jesus sent out his disciples with nothing, but he provided everything they needed through people he had prepared to receive their message. God will provide everything your ministry needs to accomplish his purposes.

Response: Lord, please give me faith to trust you for donors who will meet our needs.

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!”

Person participating in an ice bucket challenge, dumping a bucket of water over their head outdoors, with the words 'Fad Fundraising' and 'Acts 17:21' on a blue background.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Fad Fundraising

by Ron Haas
September 29, 2025

“All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas” (Acts 17:21).

Joseph Bayly wrote The Gospel Blimp as a satire to poke fun at Christian ministries that build elaborate systems but neglect the real work of evangelism. The plot focuses on George and Ethel, a friendly Christian couple who was concerned about their next-door neighbors but didn’t know how to share the good news of Jesus Christ. One night during a gathering at their home with some Christian friends, a blimp flew overhead. Their friend Herm came up with a brilliant idea: Why not use a blimp to proclaim the Christian message to the unchurched citizens of Middletown? Herm’s vision spawned a new non-profit organization with an exciting new strategy to buy a used blimp, hire a pilot, and evangelize their hometown by towing Bible-verse banners, broadcasting Christian music and programs over loudspeakers, and “carpet bombing” folks with gospel tracts. It’s a great farce, if only it didn’t hit so close to home. We will do anything in the name of evangelism—except talk to people about Christ. This same attitude infects fundraising. Consider these four questions as you evaluate your next fundraising event.

Time
Fundraising events take massive amounts of time to plan, execute, and follow-up. Know your purpose before investing the time. What are the key performance indicators for your event? Is your goal volunteer engagement, donor cultivation, generating fundraising income, goodwill and peer relationship building, memorable experiences, networking, milestone, or mission-affirming celebrations, etc.? Identify two or more specific outcomes for your next event.

Volunteers
Your volunteers are a precious resource. Invest their time wisely. Will the volunteer opportunities for your event be meaningful and life-giving for volunteers? Will they be energized by serving or just dutifully helping because this is what we/they have always done? If you accounted for all your volunteer time, would you break even?

Constituents
Can the time and energy invested in your event achieve significant outcomes in moving forward donor relationships through goodwill, networking, or raising funds? Events can effectively encourage greater community support, promote your mission, start new relationships, and build donor and volunteer loyalty. Sometimes we think we must take every donor down the same path. How will you reach the major donors who don’t attend your events?

Priorities
Stephen Covey said, “The enemy of the best is often the good.” Events can be positive experiences or black holes that compress and stretch you at the same time through a phenomenon called ‘spaghettification.’ At the end of the year, you will be graded on how much money you raised, not how many events you planned. You only have so many hours in your week to raise money. Manage your time wisely. Any activity that is not directly connected to identifying, cultivating, or soliciting major donors should be secondary on your to-do list.

Think About This: Fundraising events might bring you closer to your major donors, but like George and Ethel learned—it’s more effective to meet your friend face to face.

Response: Father, help me not rely too much on events to tell our story. Give me courage to visit my major donors personally and ask for their support.

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